How Does
An Intervention Work?
Listed below is the process followed by many intervention specialists.
This description is provided by Lost and Found Ministry, a service
of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. The intervention procedure
often begins with a phone call from a concern person to the Lost and
Found. We try to:
Answer as many questions as possible.
Encourage concerned people to come in if possible.
Encourage concerned person to bring a friend.
Find out recent happenings.
Go over options they could consider.
-do nothing
-have significant person talk to him/her
-call AA/NA for 12th step call
-involuntary commitment (court procedure)
-intervention
View the intervention tape.
-discuss strength of intervention (how it works)
-advantages of team approach
-weakness of one on one
-hand out information sheets
Review treatment options (goal of intervention).
-inpatient
-outpatient
-AA/NA
-detox
-handout list of treatment center
How will treatment be paid for?
-public funding
-private funding
-insurance
-vet
Assemble the team. Make a list of names and phone numbers of people
you think could be appropriate to help on the team.
-no one who is C/D and actively drinking or using
-recovering people are fine
-family, friends, boss, clergy, MD's, counselors
Is the person ever "ready" to be intervened on?
-you don't have to wait until the person is "ready" or has
"hit bottom" to have a successful intervention
Who are the intervention specialists?
-a person in recovery who has received special training to lead an
intervention
FIRST MEETING OF ALL CONCERNED PEOPLE.
Go over the goal of the intervention with concerned people. The
goal of the intervention is to get the person with the problem to
agree to go and have an eval and enter treatment if necessary. The
purpose of the intervention then is to help that person take that
initial step toward recovery.
-try to get everyone to agree there is a need and the intervention
is a viable solution
-view the video tape (The Intervention)
-check and see if anyone wants to back out after viewing the tape
-call for questions about the intervention process
-each person must decide what he or she is going to say to the person
of concern and write it down. Letter form is often used. The letter
should start out with positive feelings toward the person. Then
go into the negative behaviors about the problem. Love and concern
is always the primary message
Document negative behaviors you have observed.
- Communicate love, care and concern. It is necessary to be concerned
and empathetic. Indicate you care about the person's mental, physical,
and emotional needs. Be empathetic, but don't beat around the bush.
-Say something positive about the person
-Be specific and avoid generalization
-Talk from the "I" position, not you, you, you
-Include times, places and dates hen possible
-Include any of the following if appropriate:
- Health problems
- Inappropriate behavior
-Decreased ability to function
- Memory loss and personality change
- Attempts to conceal use or hide supply
- Problems related to family, marriage, job, finances or the
law
- drinking or drugging at inappropriate times
- Ethical deterioration
- The inability to predict when he or she will start, stop or
the amount he or she will use or drink
Click here for suggestions on developing your
letter.
SECOND MEETING OF ALL INVOLVED IN THE INTERVENTION - REHEARSAL
The goal of the practice intervention is to help the people become
more at ease during the intervention. Often we revise some letters
during this session. Following the practice intervention, all of
the necessary details for the intervention are taken care of. These
details would include the following:-Who will be responsible for
getting him or her there?
-Where will it be held?
-Date and time of day.
-Order for speaking.
-Seating arrangement.
-Who will present the plan?
-Who will follow him/her if he/she runs?
-Who will take him/her to the evaluation?
-What will be the main objection if he/she refuses to go? (doesn't
have a problem, the kids, the job, no money, plants or pets, etc.).
-Will there be consequences if he or she refuses help?
-Have arrangements been made for the evaluation?
-Meeting place for concerned people prior to the intervention.
A few do's and don'ts to remember
Don't tell him/her what is planned.
Don't get angry, frustrated, or argue with him/her.
Don't beg or plead with him/her.
Don't moralize with him/her.
Don't ask questions.
Don't apologize for being there.
Don't comfort him/her is he/she cries.
Don't demand confessions.
Don't diagnose or judge him/her.
Don't compare him/her to others. Write down what you are going to
say.
Look at him/her when you are talking to him/her.
Remember: we are planting a seed and it might take time to grow.
Remember: We are doing something for him/her, not to him/her.
Following the intervention, collect the letters and take them to
the evaluation.
THE INTERVENTION
All meet at designated spot. BE ON TIME.
All go to designated place together.
If you are bringing the person, don't force it, but try to be on
time.
When person arrives, greet him/her like you always do.
Interventionists will introduce selves.
-Tell why we are all there.
-Ask him if he/she will sit and listen to each person without
responding.
When all are seated, person #1 begins to read his/her letter; others
follow in order.
If at any time during the intervention, the person of concern indicates
he/she is ready to go to the evaluation or treatment, stop the intervention.
Regardless of the outcome, hugs are needed for all.
If you think an inpatient program might be suggested, have a bag
packed, car gased, and a bed waiting. Be ready to go.
The best interventions are interventions where the intervention
specialists say little or nothing. The concerned people are the
important people in the like of the person we are having the intervention
for.
An INTERVENTION NEVER FAILS --- a drink will never taste the same.
