Key Takeaways
- Professional interventions have a success rate of approximately 90 percent in motivating individuals to enter treatment.
- Certified interventionists guide families through preparation, execution, and follow-through of the intervention process.
- The ARISE model and the Johnson model are the two most widely used intervention approaches.
- Having a treatment plan and facility arranged before the intervention takes place is essential for immediate action.
- Family involvement in ongoing treatment significantly improves long-term recovery outcomes.
When an Intervention Is Needed
Addiction is characterized by denial, and many individuals with substance use disorders genuinely believe they do not have a problem or that they can control their use. When direct conversations, expressed concern, and visible consequences fail to motivate a loved one to seek help, a structured intervention may be necessary to break through the denial and create an opportunity for change.
Signs that an intervention may be appropriate include escalating substance use despite negative consequences, refusal to discuss the problem or consider treatment, physical health deterioration, loss of employment or academic standing, legal troubles related to substance use, and strained or severed family relationships.
An intervention is not a confrontation or an opportunity to express anger. It is a carefully planned, compassionate conversation guided by a professional that presents the individual with the reality of how their addiction is affecting themselves and those who love them, along with a clear, immediate path to treatment.
Types of Interventions
Several structured intervention models have been developed and refined over decades of clinical practice. The two most widely used approaches differ in their methodology but share the common goal of motivating the individual to accept treatment.
The Johnson Model
The Johnson model, developed by Vernon Johnson at the Johnson Institute, involves surprise confrontation by family members and friends who have prepared written impact statements. Each participant describes specific incidents where the individual's addiction caused harm and expresses love and concern. The group presents a pre-arranged treatment option and asks the individual to accept help immediately.
This model emphasizes preparation, rehearsal, and the power of collective concern. The surprise element prevents the addicted individual from preparing defenses or avoiding the conversation. When executed with professional guidance, the Johnson model achieves high success rates.
The ARISE Model
The ARISE model, which stands for A Relational Intervention Sequence for Engagement, takes a gradual approach that invites the individual to participate in the process rather than surprising them. The model progresses through three levels of increasing intensity, beginning with an invitation to attend a family meeting and escalating only if earlier steps do not produce engagement.
The ARISE model is often preferred by families who want a less confrontational approach or when the individual has shown some willingness to discuss their situation. Research shows that approximately 83 percent of individuals enter treatment through the ARISE process without needing to progress beyond the second level.
The Role of a Certified Interventionist
A certified intervention professional brings training, experience, and objectivity to a deeply emotional process. The interventionist guides the family through preparation, facilitates the actual intervention, manages unexpected reactions, and coordinates immediate admission to treatment if the individual accepts help.
During the preparation phase, which typically lasts several days, the interventionist educates the family about addiction, helps each participant write their impact statement, establishes boundaries and consequences, rehearses the intervention scenario, and arranges a treatment placement so that admission can happen immediately after a successful intervention.
Board-certified interventionists hold credentials from organizations like the Association of Intervention Professionals or have completed training through programs accredited by the Pennsylvania Certification Board. When hiring an interventionist, verify their credentials, ask about their success rates, and ensure they will be present at the actual intervention.
Have everything arranged before the intervention: treatment center admission confirmed, insurance verified, bags packed, and transportation planned. If the individual says yes, they should leave for treatment within hours, not days.
Preparing for an Intervention
Successful interventions require thorough preparation. The interventionist will guide the family through selecting participants, typically four to eight people who have significant relationships with the individual and can speak to specific impacts of the addiction. Participants should include those who can maintain composure and express concern without hostility.
Each participant prepares a written statement that includes specific examples of how the individual's addiction has affected them, an expression of love and concern, a request for the individual to accept treatment, and a statement of consequences if they refuse. These letters are read during the intervention to ensure that emotional intensity does not cause participants to forget key points.
Logistical preparation includes confirming admission at a treatment facility, verifying insurance coverage, packing a bag for the individual, and arranging transportation to the facility. Trust SoCal's admissions team at (949) 280-8360 can pre-verify insurance, hold a bed, and coordinate same-day admission for intervention cases.
- 1Consult with a certified interventionist and schedule the planning process
- 2Select four to eight participants with meaningful relationships to the individual
- 3Write personal impact letters under the guidance of the interventionist
- 4Confirm treatment center admission, insurance coverage, and logistics
- 5Rehearse the intervention with the interventionist present
- 6Execute the intervention at the planned time and location
- 7Transport the individual to treatment immediately upon acceptance
After the Intervention
If the intervention succeeds and the individual agrees to enter treatment, immediate action is critical. Transport to the treatment facility should happen within hours, before resolve fades or second thoughts emerge. The interventionist often accompanies the individual and family to the facility to maintain momentum.
Regardless of the outcome, the intervention process itself can be transformative for the family. Many families report that the preparation process, particularly the education about addiction and the practice of setting boundaries, improves their own functioning and wellbeing even if the individual initially refuses treatment.
Family members should engage in their own recovery work through family therapy, Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings, and individual counseling. Trust SoCal includes family programming in its treatment model, recognizing that addiction affects the entire family system and that family healing is essential to sustaining individual recovery.
Amy Pride, MFTT
Marriage & Family Therapy Trainee
