Staging an Intervention

What is an intervention?

An intervention is a confrontation and conversation between a person who is addicted to alcohol or drugs by the loved ones who are being harmed by the person’s behavior. Staging an intervention can occur in the familiar surroundings (the home) or elsewhere under the supervision of an addiction specialist from an alcohol addiction rehab center.

Knowing how to stage an intervention depends on proper preparation. An intervention is a serious escalation in the efforts to force the addicted person to seek help. The goal is to convince the person that

• there is a problem
• the behavior is hurting others
• there will be consequences if the person does not seek help

The Mayo Clinic recognizes the challenges in helping a loved one struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. While direct, heart-to-heart conversations can help a person who abuses alcohol, serious alcohol addiction will require more direct action through a planned, formal intervention.

What an intervention accomplishes

As a carefully planned process, a mix of family and friends make an intervention group that gathers together to confront the person. The group confronts the person about the drinking or substance problem and its consequences. They ask him or her to seek professional treatment from a drug and alcohol rehab center in New Hampshire.

During the intervention, the group may do the following:

• give detailed examples of the person’s destructive behaviors and how their behavior has damaged others
• presents a prearranged treatment plan with specific steps, clear goals, and definite guidelines
• communicate exactly what each person plans to do if the addicted person refuses to accept treatment

7 steps to Staging an Intervention

The following steps are important when staging an intervention with a loved one:

1. Proper planning

The person who proposes the intervention forms the group and preferably consults with an alcohol counselor or other qualified professional.

2. Information gathering

Members of the group gather information on the person’s condition and the best treatment programs available.

3. Convening the team

The group meets and sets a date and location to work to present a prepared and rehearsed message and the structured rehabilitation plan.

4. Deciding on the specific consequences

If the person refuses to accept treatment, the team members must decide on what action will result. Consequences could be a serious as the spouse’s moving out or the loss of employment.

5. Preparing for the confrontation with notes

Each team member comes prepared to describe specific incidents where the person’s drinking caused problems. The discussions need to cover examples of the harm done by a person’s behavior as well as express care and the positive expectation that the person can change.

6. Holding the meeting

The person is invited to the intervention site without knowing the reason. The team takes turn expressing their concerns and feelings along with the consequences of not agreeing to accept treatment.

7. Following up

The concern is to avoid relapse by involving everyone close to the person in the counseling and rehab process.

What to do if the person refuses help

Knowing how to stage an intervention must include the contingency that it may not be successful. The person with an addiction could angrily refuse a treatment plan and insist that help is not needed. Be prepared for accusations of betrayal or hypocrisy and for the emotional outburst or denial.

The key is a determination to carry out the consequences discussed in the confrontation. The Mayo Clinic advises that even if an intervention does not work, “you and others involved in your loved one’s life can make changes that may help.” Given time to think, the person with the problem may accept treatment rather than the consequences.

Granite Recovery Center’s Drug Rehabilitation

From our sub-acute medical detox facility with 24-hour monitoring to its 12-Step-Centered Curriculum, the Green Mountain Treatment Center can be your resource in staging an intervention. Contact us for information and advice. Call professionals at 866.913.7957 to get your loved one started today.