Intervention FAQs.

How do I do an intervention myself?

You can, and sometimes if you’re early enough in the process, you should. If your loved one is in the early stages of their addiction, and open to your feedback, try the following:

  1. Find the relevant 12 step organization for your loved one on the web. That could be Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or a wide variety of other 12 step groups.
  2. Find several meetings in your area for your loved one to go to
  3. Ask them to commit to you to go to 90 meetings in 90 days.

This can’t hurt and is a good first step. However, if they don’t do this, or respond well to it, then it’s likely you’re going to need a professional interventionist.

Why should I use a professional interventionist?

  1. Having an independent, outside person handle the intervention helps prevent damage to relationships.
  2. A trained professional can see the dynamics of the family clearly and limit potential arguments
  3. There are a lot of bad treatment centers out there. Sending someone to a bad treatment center can set progress back, not help them. Good interventionists maintain strong relationships with treatment centers and know which ones are good, and which ones can do harm.
  4. Your loved one will have objections. A trained interventionist will remove those objections, and improve your loved one’s chances of success.
  5. The skills the family needs in order to cope with addiction are every bit as vital as your loved one getting healthy. A professional interventionist will help your family heal.
  6. An interventionist has connections to a therapeutic and support community that can be brough to the table for your whole loved one, so that a full treatment plan can be implemented and you and loved one have the best chance at success.

How much does an intervention cost?

The cost of an intervention is less than a divorce, hospital bill, lawsuit, or funeral. Pricing is done on a case by case basis, and can run anywhere between $1,500 to $15,000 depending on need. Interventions are not covered by insurance. We do, however, offer reduced rates to people who are on medicaid.

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Are interventions covered by insurance?

Presently an interventionists fees are not covered by any heath insurace company.

I live outside of the United States, can you still do an Intervention?

Yes. We do our 90% interventions online. We will accomodate your time zones, and work with people across the globe.

What are the diffeerent types of Interventions?

There are two popular types of interventions: the Johnson model of Intervention, and the ARISE style.

The Johnson model is the kind you may have seen on television: a group of people get together in secret, and, either by themselves or with the help of a trained interventionist. They each write letters of support, and then “surprise” their loved one with an intervention. They make a request for the loved one to get treatment and offer a consequence for not following that request. Once the loved one goes to treatment, the interventionist usually moves to a case management role.

The ARISE model is an invitational, family systemic model. The loved one is included in the planning of the intervention after the first call. The entire family is engaged for longer period – usually about six months. The intervention is about helping the family develop skills to cope with addiction, and changing the family dynamic such that addiction cannot take hold in the family.

We are versed in both styles of interventions, but we find that the ARISE model yields better outcomes.

How do I prepare for an intervention?

The most important thing you can do is work on the distinction between commitment vs attachment. You commit to the ideas. You attach to outcomes. Your commitment to your loved ones health and wellbeing is something you can control. Whether your loved one chooses to go to treatment, chooses to stay there, or chooses to get sober is not.

Your interventionist may ask you to complete specific work before the first meeting, but in general consider how your loved one’s addiction affects you, how you might be enabling your loved one’s addiction (see the next section), and what boundaries you may want to set goign forward?

What is “enabling?”

Enabling refers to the actions of a person, often a loved one, who helps a person struggling with addiction to continue their addictive behavior. This can happen in a number of ways, including:

Enabling behavior often stems from a desire to protect the person struggling with addiction and to avoid conflict or confrontation. However, this kind of behavior can actually make the problem worse by allowing the person to continue their addictive behavior without facing the consequences. It’s important for loved ones to recognize when they may be enabling the person’s addiction and to take steps to stop this behavior and support the person in getting the help they need.

What happens after the intervention?

Usually the person goes to treatment. Immediately. Transport is arranged by either a family member or transport service that specializes in this field, and the person enters treatment immediately. Depending on the substance, they may need to go to a medically supervised detox before they begin their treatment.

What different kinds of drug and alcohol treatment options are there?

There are many different kinds of drug treatment options available, and the right one for an individual will depend on their specific needs and circumstances. Some common types of drug treatment options include:

Inpatient treatment: Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehabilitation center or hospital for a period of time, usually 30 to 90 days. During this time, the person will receive 24-hour care and support, including medical detoxification, therapy, and other services to help them overcome their addiction.

Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment involves attending therapy and support group meetings at a treatment center or other location, but not staying at the facility overnight. This option may be suitable for people who have a more mild addiction or who have other commitments, such as work or childcare, that make it difficult to stay in treatment for an extended period of time.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): MAT involves the use of medication, such as methadone or buprenorphine, to help people manage their addiction and reduce their cravings for drugs. This type of treatment is often used in combination with counseling and other forms of therapy to help people overcome their addiction.

12-step programs: 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), are support groups that follow a specific set of principles and steps to help people overcome their addiction. These programs are based on the idea of mutual support and accountability, and can be a valuable part of the recovery process for many people.

What are some common objections that a person may have to participating in an intervention?

Denial of the problem: The person may deny that they have a problem with drugs or alcohol, or may minimize the severity of their addiction.

Anger or resentment: The person may feel angry or resentful that their loved ones are trying to intervene, or may blame others for their own actions.

Fear of change: The person may be afraid of making changes to their behavior or lifestyle, or may be afraid of what will happen if they seek treatment.

Lack of motivation: The person may not see the need to change their behavior, or may not believe that treatment will be effective.

Financial concerns: The person may be concerned about the cost of treatment, or may not have insurance or other financial resources to cover it.

Employment concerns: The person may be concerned about loss of employment or many not have the capacity to leave work for an extended period of time.

How can I support the person who is going through treatment?

Every situation is different, but here are some ideas:

  1. Encourage them to follow the recommendations of clinical staff
  2. If you are close with them, and the treatment center offers it (we do not usually recommend treatment centers that do not offer it), participate in the family programming that the treatment center offers.
  3. Work to understand the disease model. Come to accept that your loved one was not bad, but sick.
  4. If your loved one begins to work a 12 step program, attend a 12 step program yourself. You can watch our 12 Steps for Allies online course, too.
  5. Be patient with them. People coming out of treatment are spiritual toddlers. Recovery from addiction is a process that can take time. Be patient and understanding as your loved one works to overcome their addiction.
  6. Celebrate their achievements: Recognize and celebrate their progress and accomplishments in recovery.
  7. Help them avoid triggers: Avoid exposing them to situations that may trigger a relapse.
  8. Avoid enabling: While it’s important to support the person in their recovery, it’s also important to avoid enabling their addiction. This means not covering up for them or making excuses for their behavior. Instead, encourage them to take responsibility for their actions and seek help.
  9. Help them build a support network: Recovery is often easier when the person has a strong support network. Help them connect with others in recovery, such as through support groups or therapy, and encourage them to maintain these connections
  10. If you are involved in a family-systemic model of interventions like ARISE, participate in weekly meetings, ask questions, and take the suggestions of your interventionist.