Answer Addiction

Tag: drug addiction intervention

  • A Checklist for Hiring an Addiction Interventionist

    A Checklist for Hiring an Addiction Interventionist

    ARTICLE SUMMARY:This article offers guidelines on how to select a professional interventionist when you are ready to confront a family member about a drug or alcohol problem.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: Less than 10 minutes.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    Readiness for Help

    So, you’re ready to find an interventionist.

    Most likely, you’re at your wit’s end. You may not be sleeping at night from worry. You might feel like the world is spiraling out of control. And you may be angry, frustrated, and downright sick of the person in your family who’s using drugs or alcohol.

    Guess what?

    These are all normal feelings!

    Selecting and working with an interventionist might be the best thing that you can do for your family. The right person will have just the right combination of techniques and words to move your entire family into a new era. The right person will also have experience and a track record to show for it. Plus, the right person will not only get your loved one into rehab, s/he will guide your family on what to do next.

    So, the decision about WHO is best for your family should not be taken lightly. Your choice will be informed by your specific needs, situation, and case. And you need to do your research. We hope that this informative article will help!

    Credentials

    Currently, addiction interventionists are not required to attend university, pass certification exams, or be approved as “clinicians” before they begin to practice. In fact, it’s a bit like the Wild, Wild West.

    Still, a skilled interventionist should be highly trained in addiction interventions. The right person can help you and your family get unstuck. However, it can be tricky to make a decision on credentials alone. Some interventionists are licensed clinicians, some are trained by colleagues, while others have experience under their belt.

    Q: So, what should you be looking for, in terms of credentials?

    A: Basically, you need to know that the person KNOWS what they’re doing…and has the experience to back it up.

    Clinical skills are helpful and desired when looking for an interventionist. However, credentials are not a prerequisite. Experience matters. Plus, it can also help to work with other professionals who complement interventions. Trained attorneys, psychiatrists, psychologists and others who themselves are in recovery are excellent allies.

    THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS: Regardless of the interventionist’s academic background, you need to figure out:

    1.  What they know.
    2.  Who they’ve been trained by.
    3.  What mentoring they’ve had.
    4.  What skills they bring to the table.

    How Much Do Interventionists Charge?

    Interventionists charge from $2,500 to $10,000 or more for their services. The price will depend on the level of service offered and the person’s experience with interventions. For example, some interventionists offer coaching to families for 3-6 months after the intervention is over. Others will end their work with your family when your loved one enters treatment, or after a family weekend.

    When interventionists partner with or work for treatment centers, the intervention may be lower priced than for someone who works independently. This is because the intervention may be just another service of the entire rehab process. Note also fees are not necessarily less if you pick an interventionist in your state versus across the country.

    When considering costs, keep in mind the ultimate value of the result. The upfront costs might seem high, but in exchange, you’re increasing the chances your loved one will attend rehab and get their life back on track. How much is that worth to you?

    As a comparison, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2017, the average annual salary of counselors working in the field of addiction was $43,300. Interventionists on the higher end of the earnings scale, or 90th percentile, earned $60,000 and those on the lower end of the earnings scale, or 10th percentile, earned $25,140.

    How to Find an Interventionist

    There are a few ways you can identify the best person for your family.

    1. Search member directories of the professional associations.

    It is important to find someone with experience, the appropriate licenses/certifications for your needs, and a strong code of ethics. Two professional guilds list members’ credentials, licenses, and certifications. So, where finances are concerned, be sure that you clarify fees and services up front.

    To look for an interventionist, search the member listings for the NII and AIS:

    2. Seek a reference from a mental health professional.

    Second, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence recommends that you seek help from the following professionals for intervention services:

    •  An alcohol and addictions counselor
    •  An addiction treatment center
    •  Psychiatrist
    •  Psychologist
    •  Social Worker

    Some of these professionals may have experience in interventions themselves. Other times, a mental health professional can refer you to a colleague or someone with a good reputation in the field. The organization also suggests that you reach out to NCADD Affiliates to be connected to referrals.

    3. Call us for help.

    The telephone number listed on this page will connect you to a helpline. All calls will be answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC). Caring admissions consultants are standing by to discuss your treatment options, which can include family intervention specialists. The helpline is offered at no cost and with no obligation to enter treatment.

    Whatever route you choose, we recommend picking up the phone and interviewing at least three people that you want to work with. Use the checklist at the end of this article to guide your conversation. Finally, confirm references that the person offers and have conversations about the person’s methods.

    Do Interventionists Work?

    Yes, professional interventionists work.

    According to the Association of Intervention Specialists, research suggests that up to 90% of professionally guided interventions succeed at getting the person into treatment. Whether your loved one will find and maintain a drug-free life is more of a long-term investment. In fact, someone facing addiction needs to put in a great deal of effort to change their thoughts and behaviors.

    But if you’re doing an intervention correctly – and using the Collective Intervention Strategy outlined in the book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions – the family system will change. So, regardless of whether your loved one goes to treatment or not, the system will never be the same.

    Therefore, every addiction intervention has the possibility to be successful.

    A Printable Checklist

    It’s important for families who hire an interventionist to first check out an interventionist’s credentials and amount of time they have spent in the field. You’ll also want to know more about their services, costs, and personal experience with addiction. Here are is a checklist of questions that you can use to help you vet professionals. Feel free to write answers to the questions…or use the space for your own notes.

    □ Credentials
    □ Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LPC or LCPC
    □ Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC
    □ Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
    □ Masters or Doctorate of Psychology, Masters in Psychology, Psy.D.,
    □ Marriage and Family Therapist, MFT

     

    Member of professional association (circle any of the following)

    • AIS: Association of Intervention Specialists

    • NII: Network of Independent Interventionists

    • American Hospital Association

    • NATAP: National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers

    • NAADAC: National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors

    • NASW: The National Association of Social Workers

    • CARF: Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

    • CADAC: California Association of Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors

    □ Is the interventionist independent or employed by a particular treatment center or centers?

     

    □ What is the person’s academic background, training, and/or experience background?

     

    □ Is the interventionist in recovery him/herself, or not?

     

    □ Does s/he work alone or have a team?

     

    □ What exact services does s/he provide? What is the cost?

     

    □ What services do they not provide?

     

    □ What are their professional affiliations?

     

    □ What do they specialize in (not all people can do everything)?

     

    □ What does their engagement offer? Length of service and actual services.

     

    □ What is the length of time for their engagement? Does the person work with you and your family AFTER initial treatment placement?

     

    □ How accessible is the person or their team to you? Can you reach the person 24-7? What’s the turn around time on phone calls, emails, etc?

     

    □ Does the interventionist have references you can call for verification?

     

    Your Questions

    We hope to have set you on the right path for getting help.

    But we understand you still may have questions.

    Please ask any question in the comments section below. We do our best to respond to each real-life situation with a personal and prompt reply. And if we can’t help…we’ll refer you to someone who can!

    We wish you all the best.

    —–

    Reference Sources: The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions, A Collective Strategy
    Available via Routledge Press or on Amazon.

    View the original article at

  • Can I Plan an Intervention on My Own or Do I Need Help?

    Can I Plan an Intervention on My Own or Do I Need Help?

    ARTICLE SUMMARY: This article reviews why most families need expert help during an intervention…and what planning is required. Your questions are welcomed at the end.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: 10 minutes

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    Most Families Need an Expert

    Most families need outside help to get a loved one into rehab. I didn’t know this until I started working with expert, Dr. Louise Stanger on the book we wrote together, “The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions.” I learned that interventions are highly stylized conversations that require clinical skill.

    Why do most families need an expert?

    Simply, because it’s difficult.

    Trying to convince someone to get help for a drinking or drug problem requires experience and an understanding of common objections. Interventions can be potentially explosive, even if the person knows what’s coming. And you don’t know what’s going to happen. This is where experience can really help.

    Plus, loved ones who are using psychoactive substances are often in denial that s/he needs help. Denial is like a wall…with the right words, it can come tumbling down. But are you ready to talk with your loved one calmly, objectively, and rationally about addiction issues? If you’re honest with yourself…probably not.

    Additionally, we know that one form of addiction bleeds into another: co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, juxtapose with medical problems such as chronic pain, legal or school issues. The complexity of what’s really going on is a mystery to most families.

    Finally, consider this: Most people do not want to change.

    Creating movement and shifts within a family dynamic require thoughtful expertise. And while you might need to dish out anywhere from a few thousand dollars to many thousands…training, specialization, and experience are worth the money! In fact, moving someone to the point where they’re willing to change takes more than just the simple formula you’ll see on other blogs online: Write a letter – Speak the facts – Your loved one goes to rehab. It just doesn’t happen like that.

    Working with an interventionist can often get your loved one into treatment quicker and more efficiently than if you try to intervene on your own.

    Do You Need Help, or Not?

    So, are you at a point where you need a professional? Take a look at the following questions. You and your family might want to hire a professional addiction interventionist if:
    • You support (consciously or unconsciously) a loved one who is using mind-altering substances. This includes financial support or emotional support.
    • You have difficulty setting healthy boundaries or even knowing what boundaries are.
    • You experience somatic symptoms, lack of sleep, rage, endless tears, repeated illness, stomach aches, migraines, etc.
    • You have been unsuccessful in addressing a loved one’s substance abuse, mental health disorder, chronic pain, co-occurring disorder, legal trouble, or school and professional failures.
    • You have been unsuccessful convincing your loved one that s/he needs help.
    • You have a history of complex trauma, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders in your family of origin.
    • You cannot function daily due to your fear of doing/not doing something different to change your loved one.
    • You think constantly about your loved one. Or, you have gotten to a point of disconnecting from the world around you; looking at the situation is too painful.

    What Does an Interventionist Do?

    An interventionist works with you, your family group, and the identified loved one (the person drinking or using drugs) to help that person accept medical treatment for addiction. In order to get to “Yes”, an interventionist should be able facilitate and guide the following:
    •   Team Formation
    •   Family Mapping
    •   Retrospective Bio-Psycho-Social Analysis
    •   Case Strategy
    •   Treatment planning and placement
    •   Aftercare recommendations
    •   Family engagement in the healing process

    Further, communication skills are essential to interventions. Interviewing skills and solution focused skills are critical. Throughout the process, the interventionist manages all team and third party communication. S/He serves as a liaison. For example, individual phone interviews with prospective team members may be required. Or, an interventionist may need to provide safe escort or transport to the selected treatment center.

    Case management is also required for the evidence-based interventionist. Treatment center matching and referrals are necessary. Likewise, follow-up and regular case management with treatment centers while clients attend rehabilitation programs is critical. Finally, consultation and coordination of aftercare as well as Solution-Focused Family Recovery Coaching for all team members ensures lasting change.

    Not all interventionists have these skills. You can download our Checklist for Hiring an Interventionist to learn what criteria are best as you choose the right person for your family.

    Logistics

    There are a few things that an interventionist should coordinate both before and during the intervention. This includes:
    • Set date and times for meetings.
    • Select a neutral, safe venue(s) for the Pre-intervention and Intervention Meeting.
    • Book the venue in advance.
    • Identify who will be present.
    • If someone is not present, decide how you will include them (by Skype, phone, or letter).
    • Communicate the time, date, and location to all accountability team members.
    • Arrange for food to be present at the venue.
    • Review entrances and exits to venue.
    • Identify pets, if any, and care for them during the Intervention.
    • Make sure there are enough seats available (round tables if using are better than rectangles).
    • At homes, pull chairs and couches around to create a safe setting.
    • Identify other places where one may go and speak with the identified loved one in a less formal setting.
    • Arrange for photographs to be present. What photographs might be helpful? For example, if the ILO had a close relationship with a grandparent that has died, one might put a photograph in an empty chair or have to share to help move someone to change.
    • Work with a lawyer, medical professional, counselor, medical nurse, or treatment center representatives when necessary.

    Security

    • Make sure you have access to a phone always, even in remote locations.
    • Hire same gender transport professional(s), when needed.
    • Hire a medical nurse to accompany the identified loved one to the treatment center in cases of extreme drug dependence to prevent withdrawal.
    • Complete a full security check upon arrival at the venue.
    • Lock down (under lock and key) any firearms, weapons, or knives, etc.
    • Gather home keys, car keys, IDs, and phone from the identified loved one upon arrival.
    • Gather keys of interior and exterior areas of the home from the family.
    • Call in the help of executive protection professionals, when needed.

    Travel

    • Make sure that tickets are open and flexible.
    • Book tickets to the treatment facility on a “loose” return itinerary to allow for missed flights.
    • Make sure that if using safe transport services that escorts are gender specific or if you use two people for transport one has to be same gender.

    Review

    • Review entire plan with team mate and other outside professionals.
    • Review plan with the accountability team.
    • Review who you want to give invitation to attend meeting.

    Q: What happens when you go one-on-one with someone in active addiction?

    A: You lose!

    Adding an interventionist to your team can help ensure success and get your loved one into treatment quicker and more efficiently than if you were to try to intervene on your own.

    To learn more about addiction intervention, please give us a call. Or, leave us a question in the comments section below. The telephone number listed on this page will connect you to a helpline answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC). The helpline is offered at no cost and with no obligation to enter treatment. Caring admissions consultants are standing by to discuss your treatment options, which can include family intervention specialists.

    If you’re ready for help, pick up the phone.

    You don’t need to hold an intervention on your own.

    Reference Sources: The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions, A Collective Strategy
    Available via Routledge Press or on Amazon.

    View the original article at

  • How to Find an Interventionist Near You

    How to Find an Interventionist Near You

    ARTICLE SUMMARY: A guide to finding a professional interventionist in your city or state. We also review how you can broaden your search to include out-of-state experts.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: Less than 10 minutes.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    Not Everyone is a Good Interventionist

    So, you’re ready to hire a professional interventionist?

    This person can and should help you get a loved one into alcohol or drug rehab.

    First, we’d like to acknowledge the difficulty in making this decision. The upfront costs might seem high. However, the Association of Intervention Specialists states that the numbers suggest up to 90% of professionally guided interventions succeed at getting the person into treatment. So, not only are you increasing the chances your loved one will attend rehab…you can also have hope that they’ll get their life back on track. How much is that worth to you?
    In fact, an intervention might be the most important thing you do for your family! However, please be advised:

    Not everyone is a good interventionist.

    No matter who they are – whether Ph.D., MD, social worker, a marriage and family therapist, or have only a ‘hard knocks’ degree – training is necessary. Taking a weekend course or joining a supervision group does not make a person effective as an interventionist. Further still, even if the person is in addiction recovery…that does not mean that s/he is a clinician or knows about addiction treatment, nor does it mean that they know how to conduct an intervention.

    Interventions require training, ongoing supervision, and experience!

    Experience is Necessary

    Q: So, what should you be looking for when you spend $3,000+ on a professional intervention?
    A: A professional interventionist must know what they’re doing and have the experience to back it up.

    In fact, credentials are not a prerequisite. Experience matters. Regardless of the interventionist’s academic background, you need to figure out:

    •  What they know.
    •  What skills they have.
    •  Who’s trained them.
    •  What mentoring they’ve had.

    You can be sure to vet the person correctly by downloading and printing this Checklist for Hiring an Addiction Interventionist.

    For even more advice, you can check out The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions, a book that synthesizes the 30+ years of clinical work of Dr. Louise Stanger that has been edited by Addiction Blog Editor, Lee Weber.

    How to Find an Interventionist

    An intervention can change everything. It can give you hope. It can restore a sense of harmony to your family. And, the person struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction can finally get the medical attention that they need. How can you find the right person?

    There are a few ways you can identify the best person for your family.

    1. Search professional associations.

    It is important to find someone with experience, the appropriate licenses/certifications for your needs, and a strong code of ethics. Two professional organizations exist that collect this information: The Network of Independent Interventionists (NII) and the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS). These organizations list members’ credentials, licenses, and certifications. You can search member listings here:

    •  The NII website, the Network of Independent Interventionists.
    •  The AIS website, the Association of Intervention Specialists.

    2. Seek a reference from a mental health professional.

    The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) exists as the nation’s premier advocacy group for addiction treatment. This NGO recommends that you seek help from the following professionals for intervention services:

    •  An alcohol and addictions counselor
    •  An addiction treatment center
    •  Psychiatrist
    •  Psychologist
    •  Social Worker

    Some of these professionals may have experience in interventions themselves. Other times, a mental health professional can refer you to a colleague or someone with a good reputation in the field. The organization also suggests that you reach out to NCADD Affiliates to be connected to referrals.

    3. Call us for help.

    The telephone number listed on this page will connect you to a helpline answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC). The helpline is offered at no cost and with no obligation to enter treatment. Caring admissions consultants are standing by to discuss your treatment options, which can include family intervention specialists. So, if you are ready to get help for you or a family member, reach out and pick up the phone.

    My Area or Out of State?

    So, should you be looking locally….or should you consider someone who’s out of state?

    Contrary to popular belief, a good interventionist is NOT LIMITED TO REGION. The right person is ready and able to travel…and has experience working with families of all types. In fact, their fees may not be incredibly different from someone who is local. Further, an out-of-state interventionist may have a broader outlook than someone who is near you. Here are some of the PROs and CONs of each.

    A local interventionist may:

    •  Be able to travel quickly to you or meet frequently.
    •  Be connected to local behavioral and mental health care providers.
    •  Be connected to local city/state agencies, including social services.
    •  Be limited in their referrals for treatment.
    •  Refer to local rehabs or treatment centers.

    An out-of-state interventionist may:

    •  Be available 24-7 on the phone or via email.
    •  Be connected to national behavioral and mental health care providers.
    •  Bill for travel expenses.
    •  Bring a fresh perspective to the situation.
    •  Have a broader network of referral sources.

    Local Search Tips

    If you’re looking for an alcohol or drug addiction interventionist near you, it can help to search for the right person via referral. Start with your family doctor and work your way out to other connections. For example, you can seek referrals from:

    While you may be concerned about anonymity, also know that Americans are increasingly destigmatizing addiction, especially through advocacy groups like Facing Addiction. In fact, an estimated one in three American families experiences addiction through one close family member. So, your friends and family can also be a source of help.

    National Search Tips

    If you’re interested in hiring someone who may have a wider view of the addiction treatment landscape, it can help to search nationwide databases for references to resources. Non-government organizations are especially helpful. Again, you’ll want to refern to the NII website, the Network of Independent Interventionists, and the AIS website, the Association of Intervention Specialists.

    Otherwise, we recommend that you look for an interventionist using the following websites:

     Clinical Qualities to Look For

    Again, not all interventionists offer the same level of expertise. For this reason, we suggest a quality check before hiring someone. You’ll want the person to demonstrate the following qualities outlined in part of Chapter 10 of The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions:

    1. Boundaries.

    A good interventionist will establish clinical boundaries between themselves and clients. These boundaries address the length of a counseling relationship, self-disclosure by a counselor, giving of gifts, and the limits of touch or personal communication between counselor and client. A boundary will also define or limit personal benefit of money or services that the interventionist receives. The emotional or dependency needs of a counselor should also be in check.

    NOTE HERE: Hiring an interventionist is like working with a contractor. So, it is helpful to vet the person you want to work with via a Google search or by talking with colleagues about her/his reputation. Also, ask for a very clear contract and terms of service at the beginning of your contractual relationship.

    2. Competence.

    A good interventionist will be able to reference achievements of professional competence. S/He should also exhibit cultural competence when working with specific groups…but not overstep abilities.

    NOTE HERE: You can ask for all professional qualifications before you sign a contract with an interventionist. You might ask for a resume, a CV, or for 2-3 professional references.

    3. Confidentiality.

    Keeping private information private is the hallmark of a therapeutic relationship. HIPPA Forms attempt to clarify the confidential nature of the work of addiction interventionist. However, strict confidentiality should be from the first phone call. The principle of confidentiality should govern record keeping, accounting, informal and formal conversations, treatment decisions, and the person’s progress notes. The right person will also be familiar with state laws about confidentiality and have necessary consent forms, signed, and on file. Mandated reporting, the “Duty to Warn” laws, and exceptions to confidentiality law (drug court, federally assisted treatment programs, confidentiality and minors, age of consent) vary by state.

    NOTE HERE: Ask potential interventionists to provide you with a statement describing the extent to which confidentiality of records will be maintained, including an explanation on limits of confidentiality, plus who to contact in emergency in my official documentation.

    4. Avoid brokers or unethical referral services.

    Treatment centers have been known to pay bounties to for referrals. This leads to a practice called “patient brokering.” In return for referring a patient to a drug treatment facility, the broker receives a generous compensation of $500 to $5000. Brokers will offer to share this money with patients or entice them with drugs to leave an existing facility and qualify for another because they have relapsed, leading to a revolving door syndrome.

    Additionally, federal laws such as the Anti-Kick Back Statute make is a criminal offense for anyone to give a kickback with the intent of influencing referral of patients. Some examples include trips, hotels, or gifts. Further, the Stark Law tries to prevent physician’s self-referral, or when a physician refers a patient to a facility s/he owns or family has financial interest.

    NOTE HERE: Ask an interventionist directly about monetary relationships s/he has with treatment centers. If the person works for the treatment center, this is not necessarily a bad thing. However,know whether you’ll be contracting with the center or the individual directly.

    5. Informed consent.

    You need to officially grant an interventionist permission to carry out an intervention, in full knowledge of the possible consequences, risks, and benefits. An informed content should include a description of any reasonable foreseeable risks or discomforts (consequences of early withdrawal), a description of any benefits to the subject or others, as well as disclosure of any alternative treatments, including medications.

    NOTE HERE: Ask to sign consent forms at the beginning of your relationship with an interventionist to manage your expectations and set the guidelines for the clinical help you’ll receive.

    Your Questions

     We hope to have given you a good, solid place to start looking for help.

    We also understand that you may still have questions. Please leave your questions in the comments section below. We try to respond to all questions with a personal and prompt reply.

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  • Family Addiction Intervention | Why an Invitation Is Always Best

    Family Addiction Intervention | Why an Invitation Is Always Best

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: DO NOT ambush a loved one in an intervention. It will end with resentment. Instead, consider an explicit invitation. Here is how and why.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: 10 minutes or less.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    What Is a Family Intervention?

    A family addiction intervention might just be the best thing you ever spend your time and money on. But what is it? And why would you consider spending thousands of dollars on an intervention in the first place?

    An intervention is an invitation to change. The interventionist’s end goal is to get someone struggling with an alcohol or drug problem to enter treatment. As such, an intervention is a critical conversation. In some cases, this is a life or death conversation. And in the best cases, an intervention is a life-saving conversation.

    However, interventionists do not work one-on-one, as in individual counseling. Interventionists always work with groups, family systems. They do this for two reasons: first, addiction affects the entire family; second, groups provide a larger context and sphere of influence when combined. Change must take place in the context of people, places, things, thoughts, and feelings.

    A successful intervention has the potential to transform not just the identified client, but an entire family.

    I didn’t know about the efficacy of treating the entire family during an intervention until I started working with expert, Dr. Louise Stanger on the book we wrote together, “The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions.” But it totally makes sense: change happens on a systemic level. If we only expect one person to change, it won’t be sustainable.

    Evidence states it takes much longer than most people think to change a habit: an average of 66 days. The goal of professional interventionists is to work with the whole family system while the identified patient is in and out of primary treatment, so that all may change. Treatment gives people time to grow and change. The correct treatment or placement will also provide families with the help they need to disengage and rethink how they may love, as well.

    Why Use the Invitational Method?

    So, writing the book with Dr. Stanger also taught me about types of interventions. There are four current models of addiction intervention:

    1. The Surprise Model
    2. The Invitational Model
    3. The Systems Model
    4. The Action Model

    Of these, some elements work better than others. And the main point of advice I’d give to anyone who wants to plan an intervention is this:

    Stop ambushing people by surprising them with an addiction intervention!

    During typical interventions, members of the drug/alcohol user’s social network participate directly in the process, often secretly or without the person’s knowledge. These folks gather together and surprise the individual to ask her/him to go to treatment. The idea is that if a person is surprised they will have less time to ruminate and their defenses will be lowered. The theory is that when startled, a person ill be more likely to say, “Yes” to treatment.

    Nothing is further from the truth.

    Often, Surprise Model interventions generate great upset and distrust. As noted in the 2017 Surgeon General’s Report, “Facing Addiction in America”:

    “Confrontational approaches in general, though once the norm even in many behavioral treatment settings, have not been found effective and may backfire by heightening resistance and diminishing self-esteem on the part of the targeted individual.”

    People report feeling disrespected, ambushed, and shamed. They report feeling cornered or pressured into treatment. It’s no wonder that many of them drop out of treatment. In fact, dropout rates seem to increase as relapses occurred. Many identified loved ones who were subject to the Surprise Model of Intervention reported this type of rebellious thinking:

    “At first, I stopped my drug and alcohol use because of the pressure from the Intervention, but then I found myself thinking ‘I’m not going to be told what to do!’ so I started using again.”

    Just imagine, you’re struggling with a substance abuse or mental health disorder and a pack of people descends upon you. Well, we know that substance abuse and mental health disorders are beset with shame and feeling awful. If families choose set up an ambush or an adversarial relationship to begin, you’ve got to work through the resentment first.

    How Invitational Interventions Work

    I agree with Dr. Stanger, in that the best way to frame an intervention is by using The Invitational Model. In this model, you invite your loved one to a family meeting and rely on willing participation of all involved. According to founding practitioners, this style of intervention does not require threats or consequences; they state that less than 2% of families even talk about consequences. So, there are often no letters involved. No bargaining. No ambush.

    Instead, emphasis is on family education, developing strategy, and communication. The desired outcome is not only on treatment engagement of one person. The desired outcome also includes long-term, intergenerational family well-being and recovery.

    During an Invitational Intervention, the family has a Chairperson who helps organize members and works directly with the interventionist. The interventionist or clinician guides the family strategy and facilitates from between 2-5 face-to-face sessions. S/He completes a family genogram, conducts interviews with family member, coaches family members on crafting recovery messages, and directs conversations toward change. Some interventionists focus on a specific “Change Plan” customized to the ILO’s needs for treatment. Finally, the group invites the ILO to change. If there is no movement by the last meeting, the group sets limits and consequences in a loving, supportive way.

    To read a complete description of all intervention models, please order my book here.

    How to Do an Intervention

    The best way to do an intervention is with the help of a professional interventionist. The Intervention itself is a well-orchestrated event, a drama that is created and stylized. There are many skills that go into the intervention: counseling, social work, and psychotherapy are at the heart. Still, the main goal of the intervention is this:

    Interventions help move the identified loved one to change and to accept treatment.

    It is important to note that some interventionists stop there. Some interventionists are only interested in moving or getting someone to treatment. However, when interventionists drop you at this point, it can result in many negative outcomes:

    •  Complications
    •  Financial problems
    •  Increased complexity
    •  Legal problems
    •  Relapse
    •  Treatment drop-out

    Indeed, what happens after the intervention is equally important. A good interventionist will help you navigate through treatment, support group attendance (12-Step work, ALANON, ACA, Open A.A. Meetings, or SMART Recovery are most often used), and possibly dealing with refusal for treatment. You’ll need to continue to learn how to take care of yourselves as you deal with substance abuse, process disorders, physical issues, and mental health issues in the system.

    Families also need to learn to set healthy boundaries, for themselves and their loved ones. Family members may be referred out for care to family counselors, individual therapists, recovery coaches, or other behavioral/mental health care providers.

    The key point is this: follow up is crucial to the success of developing healthy family systems.

    So, select an interventionist who can use a systemic approach that includes case management and active coaching over time. From experience, it can take many months for a family to become “collective” and to operate in harmony again.

    Intervention Services Near Me

    There are a few ways you can identify the best person for your family.

    1. Search professional associations.

    The Network of Independent Interventionists (NII) and the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS). list members’ credentials, licenses, and certifications for professional addiction interventionists. You can search member listings here:

    2. Seek a reference from a mental health professional.

    The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) exists as the nation’s premier advocacy group for addiction treatment. This NGO recommends that you seek help from the following professionals for intervention services:

    •  An alcohol and addictions counselor
    •  An addiction treatment center
    •  Psychiatrist
    •  Psychologist
    •  Social Worker

    Some of these professionals may have experience in interventions themselves. Other times, a mental health professional can refer you to a colleague or someone with a good reputation in the field.

    3. Call us for help.

    The telephone number listed on this page will connect you to a helpline answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC). The helpline is offered at no cost and with no obligation to enter treatment. Caring admissions consultants are standing by to discuss your treatment options, which can include family intervention specialists. So, if you are ready to get help for you or a family member, reach out and pick up the phone.

    Your Questions

    Still have questions about how to hold a successful family intervention for addiction?

    Please reach out.

    You can leave your questions in the comments section at the end of this page. Or, you can call us on the phone number listed above. Whatever you do…do something. Nothing changes until something changes.

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