The Four Kinds Of Interventions You Need To Know About

• Simple Intervention: Interventions can become a big to do without the right planning. All it really takes to encourage a loved one to get the help they need is one person. A simple intervention can just be the meeting of one family member and the loved one in trouble along with a supervising, professional interventionist. The format of the intervention will vary. Generally, the main components will still be involved: the family member asking the loved one to stop using substances and seek treatment immediately. Letters might be used. In a smaller setting, typically the dialogue is more conversational than it is prepared.

• Classical Intervention: What you see on TV as a family gathering to confront a loved one takes a lot of careful time and planning. Weeks before the actual intervention is to occur, family members and friends are already hard at work preparing. First, they are being educated on the disease of addiction, the importance of mental health, and what it means to have an intervention. Second, they are doing light processing to help take the edge off of what can be very sensitive emotions. Third, they are planning the details of the intervention like calling treatment centers and finding availability. Lastly, as they prepare their letters and statements, they are readying themselves for their loved ones to say no to treatment. Family members will have to set clear boundaries and keep to those lines if their loved one says no. Most importantly, a classical intervention will include self-care for the family by suggestion of the interventionist and any family therapists which might be involved.   

• Family System Intervention: Addiction is a family disease. When one person becomes addicted, everyone suffers. Sometimes, the entire family can be addicted. Without clear distinctions of boundaries or authority, the family becomes extremely and dangerously dysfunctional. It does not take an entire family being addicted to become dysfunctional and require an intervention. Often a sober parent or spouse will become codependent, enabling their loved one’s behaviors. Frequently it is outsiders of the family who call for a family intervention. It is unlikely that the entire family will go to separate treatment centers at the same time. Anyone who is in need of clinical treatment will be encouraged to find it while everyone else will be sent to individual and family therapy.

• Crisis Intervention: There isn’t always time for planning. When there has been an overdose, a brush with death, or another crisis, an addict can have a moment of clarity. Last minute interventions help make sure that the addict stays motivated to seek out treatment while the timing is vulnerable.

Hired Power happily provides intervention services to friends and family members who are trying to help a loved one seek treatment. Our case managers and personal recovery assistants make sure you’re supported every step of the way. For more information, call 800-910-9299.