How To Stage An Intervention

What is an intervention?

An intervention is a carefully planned process aimed at helping someone overcome problematic behaviour. It usually involves friends and family coming together to address concerns such as drug or alcohol abuse and compulsive behaviours. The objective is to engage the person in a structured manner, often with professional guidance, to encourage them to seek treatment or make positive changes.

How can I carry out an intervention?

Holding an intervention is a challenging task that demands meticulous planning and emotional control. Even when overwhelmed with worry or distress, it is crucial to approach the situation with compassion and understanding.

Recognising this, we have compiled a step-by-step guide that provides essential guidance, along with key ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, to help you conduct an intervention with the greatest chance of success. This guide is designed to support you in navigating this delicate process thoughtfully and effectively.

Step 1: Planning

Thoughtful planning is crucial for a compassionate and effective intervention. It involves choosing the right time and setting, deciding on participants and setting clear goals. This careful preparation helps minimise surprises and maximises the chances of a positive outcome.

Do’s and don’ts
Do ✔️: Include a professional, such as a therapist or intervention specialist, who can offer expert guidance and support.
Don’t ❌: Overlook involving key family members or friends who can provide vital emotional support.

Step 2: Forming a team

Assemble a team of close family members, friends and possibly colleagues who truly care about the individual’s well-being. This group should communicate effectively and share their concerns to present a united front.

Do’s and don’ts
Do ✔️: Confirm that all team members are committed to the intervention’s goals and fully understand their roles.
Don’t ❌: Include anyone who might undermine the intervention or has unresolved negative issues towards the person. Anger is a common and normal feeling, but if a group member has been significantly affected by the person, it could be a better option to leave them out of the team.

Step 3: Gathering information

To tailor the intervention effectively, it’s important to understand the person’s challenges fully. This means collecting details about their behaviour and the impact their actions had (or are having) on themselves and the people around them. It could also mean researching the type of addiction they’re struggling with, whether it be alcohol or drugs.

Do’s and don’t
Do ✔️ : Obtain information from various sources to ensure a well-rounded perspective of the situation.
Don’t ❌: Jump to conclusions or make accusations without solid evidence.

Step 4: Writing impact statements

Now thoughts and information have been collected, it’s time for each team member to write a personal impact statement detailing how the person’s behaviour has affected them. These statements should be sincere and empathetic, aimed at helping the person see the real consequences of their actions through a lens of love and concern.

Do’s and don’t
Do ✔️: Concentrate on expressing personal emotions and citing specific incidents to communicate your experiences without generalising clearly.
Don’t ❌: Use language that blames or shames, as this can provoke defensiveness and hinder the person’s ability to hear the concerns being expressed.

Step 5: Rehearsing the intervention

Rehearsing ensures that your approach is refined, helping the actual intervention unfold smoothly. This step allows you to identify and correct potential issues in delivering your messages, ensuring clarity and effectiveness.

Do’s and don’t
Do ✔️: Take the time to practise what you’ll say, how you’ll say it and the order in which you and your team members will speak. This preparation is crucial for maintaining a cohesive message.
Don’t ❌: Overlook the importance of this preparation; unprepared remarks can lead to misunderstandings and undermine the purpose of your intervention.

Step 6: Setting the scene

The success of your intervention can be greatly influenced by where and when it takes place. Choose a setting that’s private and free from distractions, where the person feels secure yet understands the gravity of the situation. It’s not uncommon for the person to feel the need to leave, and while we can’t force them to stay, a well-thought-out setting could prevent the want to leave.

Do’s and don’t
Do ✔️: Ensure the environment is comfortable and welcoming, promoting a sense of safety and openness.
Don’t ❌: Opt for a public or inappropriate place where the person might feel cornered or embarrassed.

Step 7: Conducting the intervention

This is the moment when you and your team share your concerns and emotions. It’s important to stay calm and empathetic throughout, allowing the person space to process and respond. This point can be difficult for everyone involved due to the emotionally charged environment. It has the potential to produce unexpected outcomes, especially when we combine strong emotions and the possibility of the person dealing with alcohol or drug withdrawals.

Do’s and don’t
Do✔️ : Follow your prepared script, but speak sincerely from the heart.
Do ✔️: Make sure the person is sober when you hold the intervention.
Don’t ❌: Allow the session to be sidetracked by emotional confrontations or arguments that can detract from the purpose of your intervention.

Step 8: Offering help and support

It’s fine to hold an intervention, but a recovery option must be offered at the end of the intervention. This makes the process go from; “You need help” to “You need help, and here are options for you to consider”. Presenting a well-thought-out treatment plan and expressing ongoing support is key to showing the person that the intervention is a chance for them to heal. This also demonstrates your commitment to their recovery journey.

Do’s and don’t
Do✔️ : Be prepared with detailed information about the treatment options, including where and how help will be provided and outline any available financial and emotional support.
Don’t ❌: Use ultimatums unless absolutely necessary and only if agreed upon by everyone involved, including professionals.

Step 9: Getting them to rehab

After a successful intervention, the next step is to guide your loved one to a reputable inpatient addiction rehab facility. This facility offers comprehensive 24/7 care for those starting their recovery from drug addiction or alcohol addiction. The treatment includes medical support, therapy and a structured environment tailored to your loved one’s needs to create a focused path to addiction recovery.

Do’s and don’t
Do ✔️: Maintain open communication and offer your unwavering support. Remind them that this is just the beginning of their recovery journey. Your encouragement plays a crucial role in their addiction treatment process.
Don’t ❌: Pressure them or make them feel rushed. It’s vital they feel supported and understood at every step of their addiction recovery journey.

What are the next steps?

In an ideal scenario, your intervention would lead to success, guiding your loved one toward the help they urgently need. However, it’s important to acknowledge that not every intervention achieves its desired outcome.

If you have made several unsuccessful attempts, consider consulting with an intervention specialist. Many rehab centres offer such services, and reaching out could be as simple as making a brief phone call or a quick online inquiry.

Engaging a professional can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your intervention efforts, offering a hopeful path forward.

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