Staging an Intervention

Getting someone you love into an alcohol addiction treatment program isn’t always easy. They may fight the need for substance abuse treatment or not want to spend their time in a detox center. The good news is that there are interventionists who work with clients to put together an intervention that supports those who need it most. At Alina Lodge, we give honest advice about staging an intervention, which you can learn more about by calling us at 833.685.1700.

What Are the Steps of Staging an Intervention?

The main benefit of staging an intervention is that anyone can follow some simple steps to set one up. It’s a good idea to work with a professional interventionist from the treatment center or someone the treatment center recommends so that they can help make sure the intervention goes as planned and that all the options are open for the individual who needs to seek treatment.

The main stages of an intervention include:

• Hiring a professional interventionist or social worker – The intervention may go more smoothly when guided by a professional interventionist or social worker.
• Putting together an intervention team – Who should come to the intervention? Who has the most to say but can offer positive support?
• Deciding on a plan for the intervention – Where will it happen, and what will take place?
• Gathering information – It is helpful to compile information about treatment options, locations to host the intervention, and other necessary information.
• Writing impact statements – These statements describe how the person’s addiction and behavior have influenced others.
• Set boundaries in advance – Decide ahead of time about how you will inform the individual about how their life will change if they do not seek treatment. For example, if they don’t go to treatment, their mother or father may say that they will no longer give them any financial support.
• Rehearse – It may not seem necessary, but a rehearsal helps work out any kinks in the plan and helps everyone be more prepared.

With these steps of an intervention, those who will be at the intervention prepare to speak with someone who has, or who is perceived to have, an addiction or dual diagnosis that needs medical attention.

Who Should You Include on the Intervention Team?

Anyone who has been negatively influenced by the individual’s alcohol or drug use should be part of the intervention team so long as they can follow the rules that are set by the interventionist. This is not a time to make the person who needs support feel terrible about themselves, but it is a time to explain how they’ve impacted others. There is a fine line, so if someone isn’t able to maintain their temper, it may be better to leave them off the team.

What Should You Include in an Impact Statement?

In an impact statement, write down a succinct statement that says how you’ve been impacted by the other person’s actions and addiction. The statement should state the problem, the person’s feelings about the issue, and the results of that problem. For example, if the individual is using drugs, being verbally abusive, and spending too much money, the person’s impact statement may state that they feel let down because they feel attacked and have no financial support. The goal of these statements is to show how others have been impacted so that the client has an opportunity to see the harm they’ve done and that people around them still want to help if they’re willing to take this help being offered.

Are Interventions Effective for Helping an Alcoholic?

Interventions have the potential to work well when helping an alcoholic or someone addicted to any substance, so long as the intervention is planned out well and offers immediate support. It’s important to have family members and friends be supportive but firm so that the person they are trying to help is more likely to seek addiction treatment at the facility that is offering them a spot.

Allow Alina Lodge to Be Your Guide When Staging an Intervention and Helping an Alcoholic

Whether you want to help someone dealing with alcohol addiction or an addiction to other substances, we can help at Alina Lodge. Call us today at 833.685.1700 to learn more about our team and our admissions process.