| Maybe you're asking yourself if an intervention will | | | | statement. These statements are non-judgmental, |
| make matters worse. NOT acting will make matters | | | | loving and need to communicate the person's care for |
| worse. Once you have made the decision to make | | | | the addict. |
| the call, you probably want to know what to expect. | | | | During and between statements, understand that the |
| Each alcohol treatment center has its own procedures, | | | | addict may react poorly toward your compassionate |
| so understand that there is likely to be some | | | | outreach. Remember, there is nothing wrong with them |
| differences between them. | | | | and it's your problem. They may argue. They may |
| The people at the alcohol treatment center will ask | | | | deny anything you say. Expect the worst. |
| you questions about the situation with your loved one | | | | The addict's circumstances may be dire, but there is |
| and will do a clinical assessment of what needs to be | | | | nothing wrong with them, so be patient and hold your |
| done. Is an intervention necessary or not. If intervention | | | | ground. If there is going to be fireworks, the |
| is needed, you will be referred to an interventionist, | | | | interventionist is the one who can handle the conflict. |
| who will determine exactly what needs to be done | | | | You are there to show your love and concern. You |
| and discuss that plan with you. Arrangements will be | | | | are there to share how the addiction is hurting you. |
| made for in-house treatment and all of the insurance | | | | If the loved one is willing to go into treatment, and all of |
| details, etc. will be worked out before the intervention | | | | the arrangements having been made, they can |
| occurs. If travel is involved, those arrangements will be | | | | immediately be taken to the center. If the center is |
| made as well. | | | | local they can be driven, or if a plane flight is |
| What happens during an alcoholism intervention? | | | | necessary, they can be taken to the airport and put on |
| The intervention needs to be organized. The | | | | a flight. They will be met at the destination airport and |
| interventionist will work with you to plan the | | | | taken to the treatment center. |
| intervention. You will likely meet with this person | | | | The interventionist will report to the treatment team all |
| several times, either in person or over the phone. You | | | | of the findings from the intervention, from the |
| will have to assemble a group of family, friends, | | | | assessment to the group meeting. The professionals |
| co-workers and perhaps clergy to coordinate your | | | | at the center will have an excellent head-start to help |
| participation in the intervention. | | | | your loved one get on the road to recovery. |
| Once the participants are selected, the interventionist is | | | | The addict is not the only one who will receive help, as |
| likely to call a pre-intervention meeting with everybody. | | | | most centers will offer you assistance as well. You |
| During this meeting you will learn about the disease and | | | | were the one to "blow the whistle" so to speak and |
| you'll be encouraged to document the impact it has | | | | do not be hesitant to allow their support and counsel. |
| had on each member of the group. The interventionist | | | | The addict needs treatment, but so do those who live |
| will discuss the plan with the group and tell each | | | | with the addict and the family members who have |
| participant what is needed from them. | | | | shared in the suffering. |
| Each person will prepare a written statement for the | | | | Support groups like Al-Anon are excellent for |
| intervention and each statement will be rehearsed at | | | | husbands, wives and family members. The emotional |
| this meeting. It's important to be a team, that each | | | | toll the addiction takes can be enormous and people |
| member of the group understands the necessity to | | | | need the help and support of others who have walked |
| hold firm their commitment to helping the loved one. | | | | through the tunnel of living with the addict. Many |
| The group will assemble at a pre-determined location | | | | churches have addiction support groups, which bring an |
| for the intervention. The interventionist will direct the | | | | added spiritual/religious component to the spouses and |
| meeting, which can take an hour or so to get through | | | | family. |
| the agenda. Each member of the group will share their | | | | |