The Goals and Purpose of an Intervention

If your loved one is resisting treatment, there is still hope. In many instances, an addicted individual may not even realize the impact their behaviors have had on their loved ones. They may be resisting treatment out of fear, denial or simply because they believe they can stop using drugs or alcohol on their own. Regardless of the situation, an intervention may be an effective way to get your loved one the treatment they need.

An intervention is a carefully planned process designed to allow family and friends an opportunity to confront an addicted individual about their problem and present them with a chance to change things. The two main goals of any intervention should be:

1. To convince a loved one that they need help
2. To get a loved one to enroll in a treatment program immediately

To achieve these goals, an intervention must draw the person’s attention to specific examples of damaging behaviors that have hurt the people around them, provide a few feasible options for addiction treatment, and clarify boundaries each participant will draw if the person does not choose to enroll in a treatment program.

Professional Interventionists

Our staff at Hill Country Detox is here to support you if your loved one refuses to accept treatment. We work with several experienced and trusted professional interventionists who can help you plan and organize an intervention for your loved one. If the need arises, we can connect you with one of these professionals.

A professional interventionist is an individual who works with families who have an addicted loved one that is refusing treatment or won’t acknowledge that he or she has a substance abuse problem. An interventionist has the necessary experience, skills, and credentials to actively engage families in effective intervention approaches by providing:

• Varying intervention techniques
• Facilitation and mediation of the intervention
• Intervention preparation and planning

We understand that every client’s needs and circumstances are different, so we carefully consider each client’s situation and financial abilities before pairing them with a professional interventionist.

Intervention Myths

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the idea of an intervention. These are some of the most common.

• They can quit on their own. They’re just not trying hard enough.

Abstaining from addictive substances requires more than just consistent effort. Drugs modify the way the brain work, resulting in compulsive urges and severe cravings. This makes it extremely difficult for a person to get sober on their own.

• Maybe if it gets worse we’ll consider an intervention.

A person doesn’t have to reach rock bottom before an intervention is necessary. In fact, early intervention can help prevent that entirely by addressing a person’s addiction before things get worse.

• Treatment didn’t work before. Why would it work now?

If your loved one has relapsed, that doesn’t mean treatment was ineffective or that they have failed. Perhaps he or she just needs a different treatment method or additional recovery support to help them maintain their sobriety.

• An intervention isn’t necessary. We can just talk to them.

Although simply talking to your loved one about their addiction might help, in most cases, it will not lead to lasting change or enrollment at a treatment center. Additionally, an unplanned conversation in a group setting could cause your loved one to feel attacked, resulting in anger or further denial.

• They don’t want treatment so an intervention won’t work.

It’s true that you can’t force a person into an addiction program, but treatment can still be effective if a person attends as a result of pressure from family members or the law. Although they may not be receptive initially, once they have had time to clear their mind, they may finally begin to take ownership of their addiction and pursue lasting recovery without outside pressure.

Preparing for an Intervention

Once we find an appropriate fit for your loved one and your family, we will connect you with a professional interventionist. The interventionist will meet with you over the phone or in person to discuss the situation and begin preparing for the intervention. This process is different for every situation, but it may involve preparing a speech or a letter that you will read to your loved one during the intervention. Your interventionist may also help you rehearse with other family members to prepare.

In the days leading up to the intervention, the interventionist will also help you determine several feasible treatment options for your loved one, help verify insurance, and make sure the treatment center has an immediate opening, should your loved one decide to enroll. Just as no two interventions are identical, recommended treatment options for your loved one may vary. These may include residential inpatient treatment or intensive outpatient care.

Your interventionist will help you choose a date and schedule the intervention. On that day, he or she will serve as a moderator—facilitating the discussion from beginning to end. This will help ensure that the environment remains calm, productive and non-judgemental at all times.