Professional Intervention
What do we mean by a “professional intervention”?
An intervention is a carefully planned process wherein family members, friends, and loved ones confront an individual about the consequences of alcohol or substance addiction as well as mental health problems, and ask the individual to admit they have a problem and then seek out a treatment program. The interventionist:
- Provides the individual with specific examples of their destructive behavior patterns and the impact it is having on their loved ones
- Recommends a treatment and recovery program
- Lines out what needs to be done do if the individual refuses to enter a treatment and recovery program
A professional intervention is different from a standard intervention because it involves the guidance and supervision of a certified and licensed professional.
Who can benefit from a professional intervention?
A professional intervention can help individuals who are struggling with an addictive behavior issue, but are also in denial about their circumstances and have been unwilling to accept treatment. Some examples of behavior patterns that warrant a professional intervention include:
- Abuse of street drugs
- Alcoholism
- Compulsive gambling
- Eating disorders
- Prescription drug abuse
Individuals with abuse and addiction issues oftentimes don’t realize the negative effects that impact their lives as well as the people around them. It’s critical that you do not to wait until they want help. Instead, think of a professional intervention as an act of love geared to giving the individual an opportunity to make changes in their lives before things get out of hand.
The key 7 steps
Typically, a professional intervention includes the following 7 steps in the order listed.
- Planning – family members, friends, or loved ones plan the intervention and forms a planning group
- Information gathering – usually, the information that is accumulated includes:
- Finding out the extent of the individual’s addiction
- Researching the problem
- Looking into treatment and recovery programs for the individual
Organizing the intervention team – forming the team that will eventually participate in the professional intervention- Deciding on particular consequences and roles – if the addicted individual fights the intervention process or refuses treatment, then each of the participating members needs to figure out what role they will play if this occurs
- Making notes about what to say – certain circumstances about the addicted individual need to be addressed, especially the emotional and financial impact the addiction is having on the person and the people around them.
- The actual meeting – here is where you confront the individual with the problem and offer them the option of getting help.
- Follow-up stage – typically, family members, friends, and loved ones maintain constant contact throughout treatment and recovery as well as any aftercare that occurs.