Intervention FAQ

Are you considering arranging an intervention for a friend, family member, classmate, coworker – or maybe even your boss? The fact that the addict has someone in their life who notices that there is a problem with substance abuse or behavior disorders (like sex, gambling, or food addictions) and cares enough to take steps to help them with it puts them at an enormous advantage over others in a similar position who have no support. In this article, we attempt to answer some of the most common questions about interventions.

Who should be at an intervention?

The people who should be in attendance at an intervention will vary depending on the situation. In general, the people who should be at an intervention are those who are genuinely concerned about the addict’s well-being and have their best interest at heart; they recognize that there is a problem, and they are willing to take active steps in their relationship to the addict to facilitate change, if necessary. These people may include family members, friends, co-workers, and significant others. In some cases, the addict may find themselves involved in a co-dependent relationship with, for example, a partner or friend who implicitly or explicitly encourages the addiction and does not appear to have the addict’s best interest in mind. Whether or not this person should attend the intervention might be best determined with the help of a professional interventionist. Although the family and friends may not like this person, their absence from the intervention may put the addict on the defensive. In the end, their support of the addict going to rehab may be what ultimately persuades them that “everyone is on board” – and the other person may also realize a need for their own treatment.

What are the benefits of having the help of a professional interventionist?

There are many reasons to consider enlisting the help of a professional interventionist. Having worked with many addicts, professional interventionists can anticipate how addicts will respond in certain situations. With this knowledge, they are often better at countering an addict’s faulty logical, manipulative comments, and passive aggressive communication than are family and friends who may be taken by surprise. Because they are more emotionally removed from the situation than are those who are closer to the addict, they will help guide the intervention in a manner that will increase the chances of getting the addict to accept help and go to treatment. Many interventionists also have personal or familial experience with addiction, and they are truly able to empathize with both the addict and their family.

Can we wait to choose a rehab facility until after the intervention?

Technically, yes – but it is not recommended. One of the first questions an addict will ask is, “Where is the rehab facility?” It is important to remove any perceived barriers to getting treatment during an intervention, so having a pre-determined rehab facility that accommodates the addict’s unique combination of needs is extremely important. Also, some rehab facilities may have waiting lists, and creating the shortest period of time possible between the intervention and admission into a rehab facility can be crucial to ensuring that the addict will not change their mind.

What if the addict refuses help?

Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of addiction for friends and family of the addict is that even though there is clearly a problem, the addict has the legal right to make decisions for themselves, including the decision to choose the addiction or addictive behavior over the help that is offered during an intervention. Although professional interventions are predesigned to eliminate all “excuses” that the addict may come up with in an attempt to avoid going to rehab (Read Common Excuses for Not Seeking Treatment), the addict may still say “no” in the end. However, the family and friends also have control over their decisions, and they must then firmly institute the changes in their relationship to the addict that were discussed during the intervention (Read Codependency: Are You “Addicted” to Addiction?). Because addiction often continues longer than necessary through the unintentional help of well-meaning friends and family members (Read Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes: Enabling an Addict), many addicts who refuse help during an intervention will later realize that it is nearly impossible to continue to let the addiction run their life. Regardless of the final outcome, family and friends who have deeply rooted emotions related to the addict’s choices may benefit from seeing a therapist throughout the entire process to help them prepare to accept the addict’s decision, whatever it may be.

The Next Step

If you have a question that isn’t answered here or if you are ready to take the first step toward arranging an intervention, we encourage you to call eDrugRehab. Our intervention specialists have helped numerous people to arrange interventions for their loved ones who are suffering from an addiction. We are available for consultation throughout the process, and we can help you select a rehab facility from numerous options around the country. The sooner you take the first step, the sooner your loved one can begin the recovery process. Visit the contact us page to learn how you can speak with an interventionist today.