As we reach the 20th anniversary of the once popular TV series “Intervention”, the term has become commonplace among households. They’re often perceived incorrectly as being fuelled by emotional outbursts, messy, chaotic, or even dangerous. So is this truly the case? In reality, successful interventions can be a crucial first step in someone’s recovery process. Especially when they are unaware of how their substance use disorder is affecting them, or the lives of others. So the questions become: What is an intervention? How are they organized? Can I hold an intervention? In this blog article we’ll debunk the myths and misconceptions around interventions by instead providing you with helpful definitions, details and strategies so you’ll feel more equipped and fully understand the process. Lastly, we’ll provide you with some great resources and next steps so you can create positive change in someone’s life.
Understanding and Defining Interventions
A simple definition of intervention is a structured and planned process in which family, friends, and sometimes professionals come together in person to address an individual’s addiction. They can be used for various substance use disorders including alcohol, fentanyl or other opioids, prescription medications, and so on. However, addictive behaviours such as gambling, eating, sex, gaming, and shopping can also create opportunities for intervention.
Regardless if the addiction is substance use or behavioural, careful planning is necessary to create the best chance for a successful intervention, especially if the addiction has been going on for a long time, is having severe impacts on the individual and those around them, or has resulted in a crisis. The main goals usually are to bring people together who are close to someone suffering from addiction to express their concerns, perhaps shed some light on the reality of the situation, or encourage the person to accept professional help.
When is the Best Time to Hold an Intervention?
Though some times can be better, or more advantageous than others to host an intervention, know that there is no “perfect time”. This can hopefully alleviate some stress around feeling like you’ve “missed your chance” when wanting to approach somebody. As a person’s addiction progresses, it creates new opportunities to host an intervention. Having said that, it is recommended to start the planning process as soon as you recognize a problem so you’re prepared when the time seems right. This can prevent the individual from hurting themselves or others more than they already have, and create an opportunity for lasting change.
Consider the following warning signs that someone is in need of an intervention:
- Behaviour changes frequently
- Noticeable difference in tolerance
- Frequency of engaging in the addiction increases
- The person isolates more often
- They have strong, or increased episodes of spiralling emotions
- Seem like they are in a “mental haze”
- Negative changes in appearance
An important point to note is to understand that when the willingness to change comes from the individual (either from intervention or their own volition), that is the time to implement change or suggest professional help, like an inpatient treatment centre. You want to “strike while the iron is hot” so to speak. This makes it even more important to be prepared.
What Takes Place During an Intervention?
What takes place during successful interventions is mainly credited to their organization, preparation, the participants, and the environment. As previously mentioned in the definition of an intervention, the primary structure is bringing an individual to a gathering where others discuss their addiction with them. People will often bring handwritten letters to read, or recordings of events that happened to share their experience with the individual. These could be old voicemails, videos, etc. Everyone can take turns (including the person being intervened on) sharing their thoughts and emotions. Below is a breakdown of other things that can take place, and be discussed during an intervention to help give you a sense of structure and direction.
Find Out Whether or Not The Individual Identifies With Having An Addiction
This may seem obvious, but it’s important to understand if the individual identifies with having an addiction. Not everyone who is struggling with an addiction believes they do, sometimes they aren’t even aware that is what’s happening. Or they may have become so immersed that it just seems like regular life. So knowing where the person stands is useful information as you move forward to know what language to use (Ie. saying addiction vs. dependency), and how to address the situation.
Identify Possible Reasons Someone is Turning to Drugs or Alcohol
As most of us know, empathy is very important when engaging with a person who is in distress. Further educating yourself on why the person might be struggling with a substance use disorder and sharing that recognition with them can help deepen your connection, and lessen their position of wanting to get defensive. Maybe they’re having a hard time coping with stress from home, work, school, or relationships. Maybe they have another mental health disorder that isn’t being properly treated, etc. It’s important not to assume, just share your observations and what you think is contributing. Whatever the case may be, there are often underlying reasons to a person’s addiction.
Look at Behaviours or Patterns that Worsen The Addiction
Oftentimes a person’s addiction can be formed, or increased due to certain behaviours they might be engaging in, people they associate with, or environments they may frequent. For example, the person may have started having drinks with colleagues at lunch, then again after work, or frequenting a nightlife where drugs are taken. Addressing these situations can also shed light on why a person’s addiction is increasing.
Reach Out And Make Clear That You Are Here To Help
This may be the most important part of the approach: making it clear that the entire purpose of the intervention is because you care about them, and want to help. Not to shame, blame, or degrade them. Understanding that addiction is an incurable disease that this person is dealing with, and you are there as a show of support is a powerful and important reminder. One that might need to be repeated throughout the process to make sure that is the message being received, and not something negative that could lead to an unsuccessful intervention.
Crucial Steps of an Intervention
Below is an example of the steps you can take in order to host an intervention. Note that having steps, a structure, and desired outcomes to an intervention give you the best chance at success, and remaining peaceful throughout the discussions. It’s important to have a next step in place, so you can implement change at the end of the intervention. This might look like having a treatment centre lined up with availability for the person to go to directly from the intervention, or an addictions counsellor, or alternative living arrangements. As previously mentioned if there is willingness to change, implementing that change immediately is your best chance at success.
Plan The Intervention
It’s important to make sure the essentials are covered, Ie. The who, what, where, when, why, and how. Make sure that these things are set, and are not communicated with the individual until the event takes place. Interventions can often result in feelings of anger, resentment, betrayal, embarrassment, and shame. Therefor being as tactful as possible in your approach is crucial to make sure the right emotions are conveyed, and messages understood so the event can be a success. If the process feels overwhelming, reach out to a professional to help guide you, or facilitate the process. At GreeneStone Centre for Recovery, we connect people with the best interventionists and addictions counsellors in the industry who can help you every step of the way.
Collect Behavioural Information and Stories
Create a list of destructive behaviours exhibited by the individual. You can gather old stories or events that happened, and share how you saw them affect the person, or how they affected you. It is also encouraged to get others to do the same and communicate them to each other beforehand. This way you can make sure you’re not repeating the same stories throughout the intervention, or can share your different perspectives on things that might have happened. Since denial is such a powerful component of addiction, it’s important to bring unarguable proof to an intervention to help a person see the situation more clearly.
Create an Intervention Team
If you can, try not to do this alone. Addiction is a powerful disease, and a key aspect of treatment is community. So make sure you have a community around you as well to support you through the intervention, but hopefully support the person through their recovery afterwards. Your team can be made up of family members, friends, colleagues, partners, and professionals. Whomever you feel has been impacted the most by the person’s addiction, or who can have an impact on them by taking part in the process.
Determine What You Will Communicate
Either as a team, or from the person leading the intervention, decide on what the main message is you want to get across. Maybe there’s a boundary you want to set, or a treatment centre you want the person to attend. Keep the primary goal of the intervention in mind so you can stay focused, and move away from arguments or confrontations. Remember that everyone’s feelings are valid, and everyone’s experience is their own and these should all be honoured during the process. Be prepared for the individual to get defensive, or upset. That’s ok. Just follow the plan, and your prepared points so even if there is disagreement, it leaves little room for argument. Lastly, be aware of bargaining, or compromising on the goal. The disease of addiction will often try to take either of these routes to say things aren’t so bad, or to keep a sense of control. If the compromise seems like a reasonable suggestion, then consider it. However, if the boundary is clear and important enough to you, don’t budge.
Gauge Your Success
Success for each intervention looks different. Common goals for an intervention are for the individual to consider treatment, or counselling, or enroll in treatment right away. Keeping the primary objective, and the overall process in mind: How did it go? Did you achieve the goal? Was the individual receptive to it? Were their direct next steps that were taken to start implementing change? These are all things that can be evaluated with your intervention team after the event, or discussed with a professional to make sure you worked towards your goal, or decide on next steps if need be.
Follow Up
It’s important that no matter the result of the intervention, things don’t get just left by the wayside. If the goal was achieved, how is the individual doing now that change has been made? Can you continue supporting them on their journey? If the goal was not achieved, has the individual come to any realizations after having time to sit with everything that was said? Is there another approach you all can take to help this person on their recovery journey? Continued action and support shows the individual you’re serious, and that you care.
Locations to Hold an Intervention
One of the last, and often overlooked things to consider when planning and intervention is deciding on the location. Remember this is a very sensitive subject that’s going to invoke a lot of emotion from numerous people, so you’ll want to make sure you’re in a space that’s conducive to the process. Try and choose somewhere private, and comfortable for the individual as interventions themselves can be rather uncomfortable. Ideally, it’s somewhere familiar to them like their home. Also consider it being somewhere that’s a part of their routine so they don’t suspect something and refuse to go. Avoid locations with negative associations for the individual – places where traumatic events, or confrontations took place so they don’t come into the event in a poor frame of mind. Finally, try to avoid settings that can be distracting, like having excessive noise or young children so the intervention can remain the primary focus for everyone involved.
Contact GreeneStone for Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Ontario, Canada
GreeneStone Centre for Recovery can connect you with some of the best interventionists in the industry who can help you formulate a plan, and see it through. We specialize in inpatient treatment for substance use disorders and are a highly sought after treatment centre due to our beautiful lakeside location, individualized approach, and private accommodations in Ontario, Canada. Our team of specialists create a welcoming atmosphere to discuss your situation, and further explain how we can help. Learn more about our programs, or get in touch with someone from our team to start getting the help you need.