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(PLEASE NOTE: For the purpose of answering frequently asked questions the word “addict” is used to describe anyone with an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol)

     1.    What is an intervention?

An intervention is a carefully planned meeting that is facilitated by a trained therapist, between an addict and the influential people in his or her life. The purpose of the intervention is to break through the addict’s denial long enough to get them to enter an inpatient treatment center that day. 

We begin the intervention process by meeting with the family and any close friends, (without the addict’s knowledge) to address everyone’s concerns and prepare for the actual intervention. All details of the intervention are carefully planned and rehearsed. We help everyone write and rehearse letters that are read to the addict on the Actual Day of the Intervention. The letters are written in an honest, loving and direct way. Family members are encouraged to speak from their heart about their concerns for the addict and the pain that the addiction is causing everyone.

 Arrangements are made prior to the intervention with an appropriate treatment center for admission.  Plans are made for immediate transportation to the treatment center, if he or she agrees to go following the intervention.  Preparation is the key to our success with interventions.

     2.     When should an intervention be done?

An intervention should be done when someone you are concerned about is in denial, out of control, and a possible danger to themselves or others. Addiction deeply effects those closest to the addict. Most families are at their "Wits End" because no matter what they have tried by themselves, the situation has only become worse. Left untreated, addiction is progressive and often fatal. So if everything you have tried is Not Working then it is time to do an intervention. While the timing of an intervention is important, waiting too long can have disastrous results.  

Although each intervention has different circumstances, the intervention process is the same. It does not matter if the addict is using pot, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, abusing prescription pills or has an active eating disorder. There is hope. 

     3. Who should be included in an intervention?      

Interventions are most successful when the key influential people in the addict’s life are included. They are the ones that are most affected by the addict’s use and together they are most likely to have a positive impact on the addict’s decision to enter treatment. The key influential people are family, extended family, friends, colleagues or co-workers. The optimal number of participants who should be included in the intervention process is six to eight people.

           4.    Are you willing to travel to meet with us to do an intervention?

     We are willing to travel to meet with you and your family anywhere in the United States.

           5.     Who benefits from the intervention?

While the primary goal of the intervention is to get the addict into treatment it also leads to positive changes for the other participants.  Most participants find the following benefits: 

·        A sense of relief that stems from finally addressing their loved one’s problem

·        A feeling of unity in having faced this situation together

·        New ways of coping and communicating

·        The ability to stop enabling the addict and regain control of their lives

·        The comfort of knowing that they did everything that they could do

           6.      Should the addict know of the intervention in advance?

No. It is very important that the addict does Not know of the intervention in advance.  The “element of surprise” is crucial for the intervention to be successful in getting the addict into treatment. Denial of addiction is so powerful that if the addict has prior knowledge of an intervention, he or she will go to great lengths to avoid it.

           7.        But won’t the addict and/or alcoholic feel “ganged up” on?

What is really happening is that the family and friends are rallying together out of love to confront the disease of addiction. It is not an attack on the person. Interventions are the most loving thing that the family can do for an addict.  

Planning an intervention without the addict’s knowledge may create anxiety in some of the participants, so it is something that we address in the planning stages, and most families feel the anxiety is a small price to pay in order to save their loved one’s life.

            8.        What percentages of clients enter into treatment?

We are very committed to the entire intervention process and the families we work with. We maintain over a 95 % success rate of getting the addict into treatment on the day of the intervention. Family Interventions has one of the highest success rates in the country. In the rare case where the addict refuses to seek help, the other participants usually feel that they have benefited from the intervention themselves, as described above. In addition, those who do not immediately seek treatment often hit bottom shortly after the intervention and eventually choose to seek treatment.

9.      How long does an intervention take?

The intervention process takes place over two days. On the first day we spend approx. 6 to 8 hours addressing everyone's concerns, and preparing the family for the actual day of the intervention. This preparation time is crucial for the success of the intervention.

The actual intervention usually takes between 1 to 4 hours, and the addict often agrees to go to treatment right away. In some cases, more time may be needed as part of the intervention to address any resistance, denial and obstacles to getting the addict to enter treatment that day. 

10.  Should a family consider doing an intervention on their own?

No. In most cases, it is best that families do not attempt to do this by themselves. Interventions are a very complex, serious and delicate matter. They should be carefully planned and facilitated by a trained professional. This is due to the serious life or death nature of addiction and the importance of all of the relationships at stake. Because of these difficult dynamics, most families who try an intervention by themselves are unsuccessful and often feel that they have made the situation much worse. 

11.  What should we do if we are ready to move ahead with an intervention?

Please feel free to call us anytime toll free at 1-888-750-0911 to schedule an intervention, or for a free 30- minute confidential consultation of your situation and/or e-mail us at info@bobreidinterventions.com to schedule a consultation.