Having a loved one who is struggling with drug addiction or alcohol use disorder can be challenging. Watching someone that you care about engage in dangerous behavior is painful, and families often do not know what to do or who to ask for help when things get out of control. Loved ones of a person dealing with addiction sometimes choose to stage an intervention in hopes that the person will realize that they need treatment. But how do you plan an intervention? Who should be there? These are only a few of the many questions that need to be answered in order to stage an effective intervention for a loved one who needs help.

If you need tips for staging an intervention for a loved one, turn to our team at Compass Detox. Once the intervention has occurred, your friend or family member can begin to heal from substance or alcohol use disorder in Compass Detox’s drug and alcohol detox program. Learn more about how you can help a loved one enter into treatment from our team today by filling out our online form or calling 800.263.3869.

What Is an Intervention?

An intervention is an event that has been carefully planned out so that family members and loved ones, along with a medical, therapeutic, or spiritual professional, can confront a person who is experiencing addiction. The purpose of this confrontation is not to air grievances but to help the person see the damage that addiction is causing in their life and their family’s lives and to lovingly insist that they enter treatment.

What Needs to Happen Before the Intervention?

The people who will be involved, including friends, family members, and the professional person who will be facilitating the intervention, need to have a planning meeting so that everyone will be able to know and agree on what will take place during the intervention. Who will be invited to participate may vary greatly, but people who the person dislikes, people who have untreated mental health or addiction issues, as well as people who do not wish to abide by the agreed-upon guidelines should not be included.

Arrangements for treatment should be solidified since the person will be asked to immediately enter treatment upon the conclusion of the intervention. Participating individuals should be prepared with notes that will help them say what they need to say during the intervention. A time for the intervention should be chosen when the person will be least likely to be under the influence of substances or alcohol.

What Happens During the Intervention?

The process of intervention can vary, and there are a few different methods commonly used. Even though everyone is different, following a set procedure helps keep things calm and ensure that everyone gets a chance to speak and be heard. Some common elements of an intervention include:

Without giving the reason, the person is asked to come to the place where the intervention will be held.
The person facilitating, whether that is a professional interventionist, pastor, or some other professional, explains to the person why everyone is there.
The friends, family members, and other loved ones each read their impact statement, explaining how the person’s addiction has affected them and stating how things will change if the person will not accept treatment.
The person is asked to decide on the spot whether or not to accept the treatment that is being offered, along with the knowledge of what will change if they will not accept treatment.

What Happens After the Intervention?

It is crucial to manage expectations around the outcome of an intervention. Sometimes, people will see that they have love and support and choose to accept treatment. Other times, people will refuse to enter treatment and deny the reality of their condition. Either way, their decision must be honored after staging an intervention. People involved in the intervention should be prepared to follow up on the changes they have decided to make and support that person wholeheartedly if they decide to enter treatment.

Rely on Compass Detox for Support Staging an Intervention

If you need help staging an intervention, reach out to a drug and alcohol detox program near you today. If you are in South Florida, reach out to our caring and professional staff at Compass Detox in Pembroke Pines by filling out our online form or calling 800.263.3869 and let them guide you in your family’s recovery journey.