Watching someone you care about struggle with addiction, mental health issues, or destructive behavior can be heartbreaking. You want to help, but don’t know where to start or how to approach them.
That’s where an intervention comes in.
Interventions can be a great way to express your feelings to a loved one about their behavior and encourage them to get help.
But, interventions need to be done carefully to be effective enough for your loved one to seek treatment.
I know it can be tough to confront your friends and family head on about their addiction. However, the longer your family waits to seek treatment, the worse their addiction can become.
If you’re wondering how to do an intervention, use this guide as your resource for understanding how to stage an intervention, communication tips, and strategies to approach even the most resistant loved ones.
What is an intervention?
An intervention is a medical term used to describe interfering with the outcome or course of a disease, mainly to prevent harm or improve functioning.1 Think of doctors doing surgical interventions for injuries, or medical interventions when someone needs cancer treatment.
When it comes to addiction treatment, an intervention is exactly the same – a process that involves getting family and friends together and, with the help of a counselor or interventionist, confronting a loved one about their addiction issues.
There are several goals for an addiction intervention, including:
- Get the person to understand that they have a strong support system
- Make the person with addiction feel validated and cared about
- Encourage the person to seek addiction treatment as soon as possible
- Create boundaries, if necessary, with the person if they refuse to seek help
- Provide resources and information for the person to begin their recovery journey
Are all interventions the same, or are there different types of interventions?
No. Not all interventions are going to be the same – be it in the number of people, the setting, or who is involved.
I’ve seen clients who only had a single person acting as their support system, be it a loving wife or even a neighbor who encouraged them to get help. I’ve also seen people with big families, children, and friends come to their aid.
No matter how big or small, interventions can make a difference in encouraging people to get help. There are even interventions for family members struggling with codependency issues like boundary-setting.2
The 4 types of interventions we commonly see are helpful in mental health and addiction treatment include:
- Simple interventions, which involve only a single family member, close friend, or professional speaking to the person struggling with addiction or mental health issues and offering support and resources.
- Formal interventions, which get the help of a counselor or professional interventionist who then leads the conversation with the person in need of treatment alongside family members and loved ones.
- Family-centered interventions, where family members themselves can get involved in the treatment and recovery process.
- Crisis interventions, which are incredibly helpful if someone is in the midst of a relapse, active psychosis, or other mental health crisis.
Each of these interventions has its own benefits. Whether it’s helping families recognize that they have a problem and engage in treatment too, helping someone in crisis, or offering support and treatment options to those who are hesitant to seek help, there are a wide range of interventions available.
Pros & cons of staging an intervention
Addiction and mental health interventions vary in format. Ultimately, these interventions can be both helpful if done right, or do more harm than good if things escalate.
Wondering if an intervention is worth the risk? Here are some pros and cons to consider.
✅ Pros:
- Jumpstarts recovery: By far the best thing about interventions is firing someone up and motivating them to seek help sooner rather than later. Research shows that the longer someone waits for alcohol use disorder treatment, the less likely they are to enter treatment.3 The longer someone waits to engage in treatment, the worse their condition becomes and the less likely they are to recover. Interventions help progress towards recovery by providing a push in the right direction.
- Provides support: Alcohol and substance use disorder can be isolating, as can mental illness. Staging an intervention is one of the best ways to make sure that your loved one knows that they’re supported and not alone in their journey towards recovery. Studies show that families are powerful resources for enhancing treatment and recovery success in youth with substance use disorder, and this applies to adults too.4
- Creates awareness: In many cases, those struggling with addiction or mental health disorders may not realize the extent of their problem or how it’s affecting others around them. An intervention can bring this awareness to light and help them understand the impact of their actions on themselves and those they care about.
- Encourages open communication: Interventions provide a safe and supportive environment for people to openly communicate about their struggles, fears, and concerns about treatment, their loved ones addiction, and anything in between. This safe space can help break down barriers and improve understanding between family members or loved ones.
- Provides resources: During an intervention, family members or loved ones can provide information on treatment options, support groups, and other resources available to help the individual on their journey towards sobriety and mental illness recovery.
❌ Cons:
- Can lead to hostility: Not everyone is willing to open up and discuss their addiction or mental health struggles, especially if they feel judged or attacked. This can lead to tension and hostility within the family or group, which can drive someone farther away from treatment.
- Ineffective without follow-up: Interventions are just one step in the process towards recovery. Without proper follow-up and support, like detox and inpatient treatment, it is possible for someone to fall back into old habits and patterns of behavior.
- Can be emotionally taxing: Interventions can be emotionally draining for both the person struggling with addiction or mental illness, as well as their loved ones. Confronting someone about their struggles and encouraging them to seek treatment can bring up a lot of difficult emotions and memories, which is why it’s always best to have guidance from a counselor when doing an intervention.
How to do an intervention: 6 practical steps to take
The success of an intervention lies in its preparation and execution. Below is a breakdown of the key steps to follow for a smooth and effective intervention.
1. Form a supportive team
Invite close family members, friends, or trusted individuals who have a genuine relationship with the person. Avoid including anyone who may spark conflict.
If possible, consult an intervention specialist to help guide you. Addiction treatment centers, alcoholic’s or narcotic’s anonymous groups, and peer support groups are great sources of help if you’re looking for an interventionist.
2. Do some research on addiction and mental illness
Unfortunately, research from as recently as 2023 on substance use and treatment shows that only 46% of people (less than half) with substance use issues sought help.5
Despite advances in identifying addiction as a chronic disease, there is still a stigma attached to seeking treatment. This stigma sadly includes reasons like:
- Not wanting help or refusing help
- Wanting to stop their addiction on their own
- Denial they have an addiction
- Worries about cost of care
One of the best ways to fight against stigma? Educate yourself and your loved one on addiction and mental health issues. For instance, you can look up information on co-occurring disorders tied to addiction, like depression, bipolar, or schizophrenia disorders, and educate yourself on these.6
You can also research different types of therapy and treatment options available for addiction, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational interviewing (MI).
Knowledge is power, and the more you know about addiction and mental health, the better equipped you will be to support your loved one during the intervention and beyond.
3. Plan ahead
Interventions should be at least somewhat organized. Choose a neutral, private setting, assign roles to each participant, and rehearse what everyone will say. Fortunately, this part of the preparation process doesn’t have to be extravagant.
You’ll also want to take this time to plan how you will get your loved one to sit down with everyone. Remember, this conversation should focus on your loved one’s well-being and not be confrontational or accusatory.
Lastly, make a plan for additional resources like inpatient, outpatient treatment, or even apps for addiction help. Your loved one might ask questions about cost, timeframe, and expectations about different programs, so be prepared to answer those questions!
4. Set clear boundaries
Before the intervention, the group should agree on boundaries and consequences if the person chooses not to seek help. For example, you might decide to stop providing financial support if they refuse treatment.
While boundaries might seem harsh, remember that this intervention is only necessary because your loved one continues to struggle with addiction.
Serious actions call for serious measures, and setting clear boundaries can help your loved one understand the gravity of the situation.
5. Provide a treatment plan
Come prepared with specific next steps, such as rehabilitation centers, mental health counselors, or outpatient programs.
Provide alternatives, for instance, if your loved one doesn’t want to attend outpatient treatment, but will use apps like BACtrack View to monitor their progress, then try to reach a compromise.
6. Follow through
It’s important to follow through with any promises made during the intervention. If your loved one agrees to attend therapy, make sure they are able to schedule an appointment and follow through with attending it.
The DOs & DON’Ts of staging an intervention
| DOs | DON’Ts |
|---|---|
| ✅ Do rehearse beforehand to ensure that every voice is constructive and supportive. ✅ Do focus on love and concern instead of blame or anger. ✅ Do keep the intervention concise; long discussions can overwhelm the person. ✅ Do use proper communication techniques and be non-confrontational. ✅ Do use “I” statements when possible, such as “I am worried about your well-being.” ✅ Do have a specific treatment plan in place for the person to follow after the intervention. ✅ Do provide support and resources for the person to seek help. ✅ Do respect boundaries and listen to the individual’s concerns. | ❌ Don’t ambush them without warning; make the environment feel calm and intentional. ❌ Don’t engage in any form of confrontation or criticism. ❌ Don’t be judgmental or use accusatory language. ❌ Do use proper communication techniques and be non-confrontational. ❌ Don’t force the person into treatment; it may lead to resentment. ❌ Don’t invite anyone who is not supportive or may add tension to the situation. ❌ Don’t give ultimatums or make threats. ❌ Don’t expect immediate change, recovery is a process. |
What’s the best way to start an intervention?
Starting the conversation is often the hardest part. What do you say at the beginning of an intervention that can truly make you heard while also being compassionate?
Here are some helpful strategies for setting the right tone from the start:
- Begin by expressing love and concern. For example, “We’re here because we genuinely care about you.”
- Avoid jumping straight into demands. Instead, guide the conversation toward solutions.
- Never use confrontational language, and use “I” statements rather than “you” statements.
- Remain calm and avoid being defensive if the person becomes upset or defensive.
- Keep the focus on the issue at hand and avoid bringing up past conflicts or issues.
- Acknowledge that change can be challenging and offer support in finding solutions.
- End the conversation with reassurance of your love and support, no matter what happens next.
Setting the right tone from the beginning is crucial when having difficult conversations. It not only sets a positive atmosphere but also helps to establish trust and openness between both parties.
Remember the phrase: “Meeting someone where they’re at.”
What if someone says “no” to an intervention?
It’s entirely possible that your loved one might not respond immediately or even refuse help. They might be in denial. They might even become angry.
A professional counselor or interventionist will be the best option to handle this situation. But, if you don’t have a professional interventionist, you might not know how to deal with it.
If you do find yourself in this spot, I want you to remember the phrase, “Meeting someone where they’re at.“7
In my time as a health technician working with veterans in addiction recovery, and in my time becoming a peer support specialist for veterans, I heard this phrase uttered dozens of times. It basically means to understand that not everyone is on the same path to recovery, and that’s ok.
Some might still be in denial of their addiction or mental health. Some might be willing to finish treatment, but might relapse later on. Others might be sick of using after facing legal issues, and just want to get their treatment over with. Some might even be starting treatment for the first and last time.
No matter where your loved one is in their journey, it’s important to support them and remind them that recovery is possible. Even if they don’t enroll in treatment after an intervention, a seed has been planted that can hopefully sprout in their mind. Stick to your boundaries, but remind your loved one that help is always available.
The bottom line on how to do an intervention
While interventions may not be easy, they often serve as a turning point for those in need. The key is patience, preparation, and persistence.
Every family’s situation is unique, but when approached with care and respect, an intervention can pave the way to recovery. The road may be long and difficult, with setbacks, relapses, and steps forward, but with the right resources and a strong support system, they can achieve long-lasting sobriety.
Sources
- https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/intervention ↩︎
- https://www.centrecountypa.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=246 ↩︎
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395923003389 ↩︎
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8380649/ ↩︎
- https://www.kff.org/other/poll-finding/kff-tracking-poll-july-2023-substance-use-crisis-and-accessing-treatment/ ↩︎
- https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders ↩︎
- https://www.nationalhealthcorps.org/story/two-step-guide-meeting-people-where-theyre ↩︎
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