What is an Intervention?

Vernon E. Johnson (1986) defines an intervention as: “…presenting reality to a person out of touch with it in a receivable way”. However, the intervention must have a practical goal that is transforming. Johnson (1986) goes on by saying: “The goal of the intervention is to break down those defenses so that reality can shine through long enough for the person to accept it.” (Intervention. p. 61).

An intervention is a behavioral confrontation that assists the person through love, concern and empathy. The intervention is not an attacking process, but instead an opportunity to communicate care and concern for a person's well-being. In a nutshell…an intervention seeks to share “windows of truth”.

How to Start an Intervention?

• Contact the Addiction Intervention Group, and fill out the intake form.
• Work with the Addiction Intervention Group to plan your intervention. This process will include working with your interventionist to.
• Identify the participants (i.e., employer, supervisor, parents, children, friends or neighbors, co-worker or clergy).
• Develop the intervention team members and their availability.
• Work with the Addiction Intervention Group to write specific incidents or conditions related to the person’s addictive behavior(s) that legitimize your concern.
• Work with the Addiction Intervention Group to ensure appropriate treatment options in your area.

How to Rehearse an Intervention

• From the beginning you will work closely with the Addiction Intervention Group to completion of the intervention. The contact person will be critical in arranging the rehearsal, additional phone consults or conferences, and to be available for any one of the intervention team members to contact throughout the intervention process from beginning to end.
• Have each participant share their letters during the rehearsal and any concerns, feelings or fears concerning the actual intervention. The Addiction Intervention Group will critique each of the letters. This critique will be for the purpose of helping the reader clarify facts and ensure that what is read is not demeaning, or attacking.
• Work with the Addiction Intervention Group to arrange the seating, and the order of readers.
• Identify someone who is very familiar with the person being intervened on…so that they can role play. This is to help prepare the group for the challenges of the intervention.
• Work with each intervention particpant to personalize their closing comments of their letters, so that they are all giving the same or similar closings as far as what needs to be done.
• The Addiction Intervention Group professionals will work closely with you from beginning to the actual intervention and beyond. The person contacting the Addiction Intervention Group is critical in arranging the rehearsal, additional phone consults or conferences and needs to be available for further consultation throughout the intervention process.
• Conduct the rehearsal.
• Set a date for the intervention to take place.
• Conduct the intervention with the Addiction Intervention Group.

If you are calling and are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 for immediate assistance.