The Benefits and Risks of Intervention

By Anne Watkins

An intervention is a planned action that families and friends may take when a loved one refuses to deal with a problem. The main purpose is to let the individual know that enough is enough, and that real steps need to be taken right now. Ideally, the intervention will be a turning point in that person’s life and the first step on their way to recovery.

We usually talk about interventions in relation to self-destructive behaviors such as alcohol or drug abuse, gambling addiction, eating disorders or any other unhealthy habits. They may also be used, but are less common, in other situations. For example, a family may intervene in a non-violent domestic abuse situation; they may take action when a family member refuses to seek counseling for a psychological problem; or they may intervene with an elderly family member who won’t accept that he or she needs assisted living.

When done with love, compassion and an understanding for the person’s state of mind, interventions can be powerful and inspiring calls to action. However, there is always a risk that the intervention will seem too judgmental, too confrontational and even hostile, which can have damaging effects on the sufferer’s progress and relationships. 

First Steps Toward Intervention

Most interventions start when a single family member or friend has had enough. In an addiction intervention, this may come after the addict has, for example, been in a car accident, seriously neglected an important responsibility, gone to the hospital for an overdose, or otherwise put herself or others in a dangerous situation.

At this time, the addict’s loved one may reach a point where he or she is sick of covering for this person. Those midnight rescue missions, hospital calls or jail bailouts have finally become too much. If these dangers aren’t enough to make the addict want to change, it’s time for action.

Important Considerations to Keep in Mind

Many people in desperate straits suffer on their own; they lack a support network of family and friends, and a shortage of inner strength to fight back against addiction can lead to a solitary and tragic downward spiral.

If you’re considering an intervention, remember to appreciate this fact – your loved one is lucky to have people who care. Commit yourself to the powerful idea of community and family, and emphasize this in your intervention. Rather than thinking negatively of your loved one, think of your actions as coming from a deep place of love and community spirit.

Also, remember that many addicts turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of dealing with harsh realities. The world’s hostility, cruelty and coldness can be a major motivating factor for addiction. If your intervention is nothing more than a continuation of these negative forces, you will risk sending your loved one to an even darker place. Instead, focus on the opposite attitudes. Approach the intervention with unconditional love, warmth, kindness and understanding.

Planning the Intervention

If possible, the intervention should involve only people who are important in the addict’s life, including figures from the individual’s family and non-family lives, and be sure to include both old and new friends. Have a preliminary meeting with the people who are closest to the addict, and come up with a few ideas for treatment options to propose.

There is a danger of having too many participants. This is a subject of controversy, but many treatment experts believe that surprising the addict with a room full of people can put him or her on the defensive and have negative effects. Keep the gathering relatively small and unthreatening, and decide for yourself how much to tell your loved one in advance. You may choose to tell her nothing, or you may just let her know that there is a gathering coming up, without specifying the details. 

Think about whom the addict trusts and respects the most, and ask that person to handle the spokesperson duties. Make sure this person is non-threatening; for example, some families choose to go with a loving friend or a younger sibling as the spokesperson.

Alternatively, many families seek professional help to lead their interventions. If you know a good addiction therapist or professional interventionist or are willing to seek one out, this can be a good way to give spokesperson duties to someone who is knowledgeable and experienced and who can speak clearly and with authority on these issues.

Finally, choose a time and place where the person will feel comfortable, and make sure it’s during a time of day when he or she is least likely to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Intervention Day and Beyond

During the intervention, let the addict know how much she means to everyone in the room. Allow everyone to read a letter written in advance, and detail ways in which her behaviors have affected everyone. Be honest and clear about what steps need to be taken and about the brighter future you all envision.

All of this should be done in a loving, respectful and supportive tone, and you should listen respectfully to everything the addict has to say. If she gets defensive, this is a sign to re-emphasize the non-threatening nature of your intervention. On the other hand, if she starts asking questions like, “What do you want me to do?” or “What now?” take this as a sign that she is ready to move forward with her treatment.

Once the intervention is over, leave the painful past behind and focus on the future. Whatever addiction treatment method you and the addict settle upon, make sure that all of the participants stay in touch and that the community spirit is kept alive. There’s always a danger that the strong feelings surrounding an intervention will fade. Make sure everyone stays involved in the recovery process, and continue to emphasize to the addict how much she is loved and supported. This way, even if relapses occur, the support network will still be there.