How to Stage an Intervention: Getting Your Loved One Into Treatment

What Is an Intervention?

An intervention is a carefully planned conversation in which family members, friends, and sometimes colleagues come together to express their concern about a person's substance use and encourage them to enter treatment. Unlike the confrontational scenes sometimes depicted on television, a well-conducted intervention is a respectful, loving process that focuses on the impact of the addiction on the individual and those around them. The goal is not to shame or coerce but to break through the denial that prevents the person from recognizing the severity of their situation.

The concept of formal intervention was popularized by the Johnson Model, developed by Dr. Vernon Johnson in the 1960s. This model emphasizes presenting specific, observable examples of how the person's substance use has affected their life and relationships, expressing genuine concern, and offering a concrete plan for treatment. Since then, several other intervention models have been developed, including the ARISE model and motivational interviewing-based approaches, each with its own strengths.

While some families choose to conduct interventions on their own, working with a professional interventionist significantly increases the likelihood of a positive outcome. The Association of Intervention Specialists reports that professional interventions result in the person entering treatment approximately 80 to 90 percent of the time. Trust SoCal in Orange County can connect families with experienced interventionists and coordinate immediate admission when the person agrees to seek help.

Preparing for the Intervention

Preparation is the most important phase of the intervention process and typically takes one to two weeks. During this time, the intervention team, usually consisting of four to eight people who have a meaningful relationship with the individual, works with a professional interventionist to plan every aspect of the conversation. Each participant writes an impact letter that describes specific instances of how the addiction has affected them personally, expresses their love and concern, and states the consequences they are prepared to enforce if the person does not enter treatment.

Impact letters should be honest and specific but free of blame, anger, and ultimatums that feel punitive. Instead of saying "You ruined our family," a more effective approach is "When you missed our daughter's birthday because you were using, it broke my heart and showed me that the addiction has taken priority over everything we value." These concrete, emotional examples are harder for the person to dismiss than vague accusations.

Logistical preparation is equally important. Before the intervention takes place, a treatment facility should be identified, insurance should be verified, a bed should be reserved, and travel arrangements should be made. If the person agrees to enter treatment, the window of willingness may be brief, and having everything arranged in advance allows for immediate admission. Trust SoCal's admissions team at (949) 280-8360 can complete pre-admission paperwork and insurance verification so that admission can happen the same day if needed.

Conducting the Intervention

The intervention itself typically takes 30 minutes to two hours. The group gathers at a neutral location, and the person is asked to join what may be described as a family meeting or another pretext that does not reveal the purpose in advance. When the person arrives, the interventionist introduces the process, establishes ground rules, and facilitates the conversation. Each participant reads their impact letter, and the person is given the opportunity to respond.

The interventionist manages the emotional dynamics of the room, redirecting the conversation if it becomes confrontational, ensuring that every participant is heard, and keeping the focus on the stated goal of encouraging treatment entry. If the person becomes defensive, angry, or attempts to leave, the interventionist uses trained techniques to de-escalate the situation and maintain the dialogue.

At the conclusion of the impact letters, the person is presented with a treatment plan and asked to accept help. If they agree, the pre-arranged logistics kick in immediately. Bags may already be packed, flights may already be booked, and admissions may already be expecting the person. This immediacy is critical because motivation can dissipate quickly if there is a delay between agreeing to treatment and actually beginning it.

When the Person Says No

Despite careful preparation and a loving approach, the person may decline to enter treatment. This outcome, while disappointing, does not mean the intervention was a failure. The seeds planted during the conversation often take time to grow. Many individuals who initially refuse treatment ultimately seek help days, weeks, or months later, citing the intervention as the moment when they first began to consider that they might have a problem.

If the person declines, the consequences outlined in the impact letters must be enforced. This is often the hardest part of the process for family members, but following through is essential. Consequences might include cutting off financial support, asking the person to move out, limiting contact until they agree to seek help, or filing for separation. These boundaries are not punishments; they are the family's way of refusing to participate in the continuation of the addiction.

The interventionist can help the family process the outcome and develop a plan for moving forward regardless of the person's decision. Family members should also pursue their own support through therapy, Al-Anon, or other resources. Your own healing is not contingent on the person choosing recovery.

Types of Intervention Models

The Johnson Model is the most traditional approach, involving a surprise meeting where the person is confronted with the consequences of their addiction by a group of loved ones. While effective, this model carries the risk of the person feeling ambushed, which can damage trust.

The ARISE model takes a more gradual, invitational approach. The person is told about the meeting in advance and invited to participate. This model respects the person's autonomy and reduces the shock factor, which can make the person more receptive to the message. ARISE also involves multiple meetings rather than a single event, providing multiple opportunities for the person to choose treatment.

Motivational interviewing-based interventions focus on eliciting the person's own reasons for change rather than presenting reasons from the outside. This approach is less confrontational and aligns with the person's own values and goals. A skilled interventionist can blend elements of multiple models to create an approach tailored to the specific individual and family dynamics involved.

1. 1Johnson Model: Surprise meeting with prepared impact letters and immediate treatment offer.
2. 2ARISE Model: Invitational approach with multiple meetings and gradual escalation.
3. 3Motivational Interviewing: Focus on eliciting the person's own motivation for change.
4. 4CRAFT: Community Reinforcement and Family Training, which teaches family members to encourage treatment entry through positive reinforcement.
5. 5Crisis Intervention: Used in emergency situations where immediate safety is a concern.

Finding a Professional Interventionist

A qualified interventionist should be certified by a recognized body such as the Association of Intervention Specialists or the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators. They should have extensive training and experience in addiction, family dynamics, and crisis management. Ask about their success rates, their approach, and their availability for follow-up support after the intervention.

Trust SoCal's admissions team can provide referrals to experienced interventionists in Orange County and throughout Southern California. The team can also coordinate with the interventionist to ensure that all admission logistics are handled in advance, creating a seamless transition from intervention to treatment. Call (949) 280-8360 for immediate assistance.