Intervention Information and Resources
What is An Intervention?
An intervention is a controlled confrontation of a person whose life has become unmanageable because of an addiction. Interventions are typically most successful if a trained and experienced interventionist leads the process, and family members and other loved ones are often present as well.
A intervention can motivate someone to seek help for alcohol or drug abuse, and also for other addictive behaviors. Beginnings Treatment Centers do not handle the intervention directly, however we have strong relationships with some of the top interventionists in the country.
When Is An Intervention Necessary?
It can be extremely painful to stand by and watch someone destroy their life through addiction. But when a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol denies having a problem that is the position loved ones of the addict find themselves in. Unfortunately until the addict admits the need for help, there is typically little that can be done.
One of the purposes of an intervention is to force the addict to confront their behavior, and how it affects their family and those around them.
Intervention professionals focus on helping family members and friends hold up a mirror to the addicts behavior – often causing them to see the reality of their situation for the first time.
This may reveal to the addict the need to confront their addiction before hitting rock bottom— which may mean losing their job, health, family, and eventually their life.
Who Should Attend an Intervention?
It is strongly advised that a trained interventionist manage the intervention. Family members and loved ones have profound, long-term emotional bonds with the addict. Without the objective perspective and communication skills of a trained professional the addict can often take control of the situation. They can then easily manipulate the emotions of their loved ones, which defeats the purpose of the intervention.
While close family members are normally encouraged to be present, the intervention may also involve co-workers, church members, and any others who care about the person struggling with addiction.
What is the Purpose of An Intervention?
While getting the addict to admit they have a problem and get them into treatment is a primary purpose of the intervention, another equally important purpose is to empower the family and loved ones in regards to the addicts behavior. A person in active addiction is usually extremely self-centered and manipulative, and thus uses those who love them to enable their addiction.
An intervention can allow the family to feel that they have regained some control over their own lives and the relationship to the addict, and to tell the addict how they actually feel. The intervention can also become a crucial time when the family stops enabling the addict. The addict must realize that while family and friends offer unconditional love, they will not continue to enable the addict and help them destroy their life. This realization is often the catalyst for change.
"An intervention may save the life of a loved one."
Discuss your Situation
If you contact Beginnings Treatment Centers to request information about interventions, an addiction specialist will help you think carefully about whether the process is right for your family. There are times when a formal intervention is advisable and even necessary. Beginnings Treatment Centers can also provide you with information and contacts for professional intervention services with some of the most experienced interventionists in the country.
