How to do a Drug or Alcohol Intervention

How do you help a family member, friend or colleague who has a drug and or alcohol abuse problem but refuses to admit it or get help? The answer is plan and properly execute an intervention.

What is an Intervention?

An intervention is a well-planned, well-orchestrated meeting. Intervention, also known as a family intervention, crisis intervention or drug intervention are a proven process that has helped thousands of families and friends break the "Barrier of Denial" surrounding a person who is concealing or denying their drug or alcohol abuse. The term "raising the bottom" has often been used to describe the intervention process. It can prevent someone from suffering the inevitable consequences of their behaviors later, by bringing the realities of the situation into effect now. A professionally handled Intervention is, by far, the most effective way of conducting an intervention. An intervention is the best way to help someone who refuses to see the impact their drug or alcohol use is having on themselves and the people around them. Whether it is a family member or someone you care about, by taking action, you can break through and get them the help they so desperately need. If is always handled in a loving, non violent fashion. Dr. Phil McGraw recently did a successful family intervention live on his television show. Dr. Phil was the professional interventionist for the family. The son ended being admitted into a 30 day rehab program. The e intervention TV show is also a good source of actual intervention information. They take actual cases and sponsor a needy person into rehab.

A successful intervention usually consists of the following components:

1. 1. Round up a small but very dedicated group of family members and/or close friends with the common goal of getting the concerned party into treatment
       
   2. Interview and then hire a professional interventionist to help facilitate this very sensitive process
       
   3. Once on board, the professional interventionist helps the group find the right treatment center for the individual
       
   4. Make the necessary arrangements for having the person admitted to the chosen treatment program
       
   5. Plan the place and time to do the intervention
       
   6. Discuss and then script what each participating person will say during the intervention
       
   7. Outline what consequences will be leveled against the concerned person should they refuse to agree to go to rehab
       
   8. Make arrangements for the concerned person to go to drug abuse treatment immediately upon their agreeing to get help