Interventions: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an intervention? 
2. What self-destructive behaviors or appropriate for intervention ?
3. Why is it necessary or desirable to conduct an intervention?
4. What can my family expect to happen during an intervention?
5. What are the forms or variations an intervention can take?
6. Are there any books on intervention?
7. How do I start the Intervention process?

What is an intervention?

An intervention is creating a loving crisis for an individual who is trapped in an Addictive self-destructive cycle.  Because the individual is minimizing the impact of their behavior, an intervention provides a truthful mirror for the individual to emotionally feel the impact of their behavior, which provides the motivation to receive help.  An intervention is not an intellectual persuasion, it is an emotional awakening.

A formal intervention, like we are discussing here, usually involves several concerned people who are prepared to approach the person involved in some self-destructive behavior.  Each concern member of the group communicates to the person in a clear, loving, and respectful way about the behavior in question with the immediate objectives being for the person to listen and to except help.

The overall objective of an intervention is to use the power of the group, which is much more powerful than any one individual, to provide a window of opportunity for the individual to receive help.  All individuals in an addictive cycle want help, yet the addictive part rejects help.  An intervention speaks to the part that wants help and empowers this desire.

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What self-destructive behaviors or appropriate for intervention ?

Any self-destructive behavior can be addressed in an intervention.  Alcohol Abuse, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Gambling, Nicotene Abuse and other compulsive behaviors are the most common types of interventions.  Yet other situations such as an elderly person, no longer able to live alone safely yet resisting assisted-living arrangements, can be help through an intervention process.   

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Why is it necessary or desirable to conduct an intervention?

Because concern individuals have usually attempted many other helping approaches without success, yet a properly executed intervention has over a 90 percent success rate to get the suffering individual to attend treatment. Because an intervention is a highly emotional experience, it is advisable to have a professional interventionist lead the process.   Interventions without professional guidance sometimes creates more harm than good.

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What can my family expect to happen during an intervention?

In order to prepare for an intervention, appropriate family members, friends and or co-workers gathered to discuss the details with the interventionist in an 2-hour session.  The interventionist describes the process, discusses the preparation requirements and the financial cost.  The group jointly decides what form the intervention will take, identify who should be included in the intervention, receive education, develop an intervention plan and schedule, and then execute the plan.

Family and friends often enter this process with apprehension and frequently with a high level of frustration and anger.  They sometimes feel betrayed, confused, guilty, and defenses.  All can expect the very intensive emotional experience, yet the intervention is the first major step towards a permanent healing process.

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What are the forms or variations an intervention can take?

Interventions are usually one of two types.  A Family Intervention is initiated by concerned family members and may include family members, significant friends and concern co-workers.  Executive Intervention is initiated in the business environment and usually involves co-workers and possibly significant family and friends.  What is common in all interventions is the intensive intervention Training, Education and Practicing the intervention.

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Are there any books on intervention?

There are several books on intervention, two of the most respected books are:

Johnson, Vernon E. Intervention: How to Help Someone who Doesn't want Help: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families of Chemically Dependent Persons.

Johnson, Vernon E. I'll Quit Tomorrow: A Practical Guide to Alcoholism Treatment

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How do I start the Intervention Process?

After reading the information about Interventions in this web page, you call Dean Sunseri at 251-626-5454 or email him at ds@ihaveavoice.com to schedule an interview.  Help is available and you are not alone.