S E C T I O N S

What is an Intervention?

Intervention is a process by which the harmful, progressive, and destructive effects of chemical dependency are interrupted and the chemically dependent person is helped to stop using mood altering chemicals and to develop new, healthier ways of coping with his or her needs and problems. It implies that the person need not be an emotional or physical wreck (or “hit bottom”) before such help can be given. In other words an intervention:  presents reality to a person out of touch with it in a receivable way.

Vernon E. Johnson, D.D.From his book; Intervention: How to Help Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help

The Five Key Components of an Intervention

Gathering the Team
1. Gather together a group of people who are very meaningful to the chemically dependent person and who are concerned about his/her alcohol/drug use, and are willing to do what they need to, to help the dependent person accept help.These people can be spouses, children, other relatives, close friends, ministers, doctors, or employers. These people should have first hand knowledge of incidents and behavior related to the person’s chemical use, such as blackouts, DUI's, loss of behavioral control, accidents, personal threats, or injury to self or others.
Love Letters
2. Have the people who will participate in the intervention write letters. I call these letters “love letters”. The letters are not about the specifics in a person’s alcohol/drug use. These letters tell the dependent person how the individual feels about their behavior, what they have lost, and what they want for them and for themselves. This letter is about how you feel without being angry at the dependent person; there will be time to express anger later. Remember, this is a love letter.
The letters should focus on firsthand knowledge of incidents and behavior; gossip and secondhand information should be avoided. Generalities such as “Bill, we all think you’re drinking too much” will not suffice. The letters should focus on your feelings and how the behavior or incidents have affected you emotionally, how it makes you feel, and how it has affected your relationship with the chemically dependent person. Observations about general changes in the person’s character, behavior, and personality can be reported as well, if it is done in a loving and caring way.
Treatment Plan
3. Have the concerned persons decide upon a specific treatment plan that they expect the chemically dependent person to accept.
The concerned persons must decide beforehand what type of help they want the chemically dependent person to have. This is the critical link in the intervention chain. The goal is not only to get the person to accept the help he/she needs, but to accept this help immediately upon conclusion of the intervention session.
Alternative to Treatment
4. Have the concerned persons decide beforehand what they will do if the chemically dependent person rejects all forms of help.
A spouse may have to say, “If you won’t accept treatment, I can’t subject the children or myself to living with your drug use any longer.” The employer may say,” We aren’t recommending your best alternative; we’re recommending your only alternative. I’ve given you too many chances in the past; this is your last one. If you want your job you’ll go to treatment.” It’s not always necessary for concerned others to express their “bottom-lines.” Quite often, the overwhelming impact of the specific data on the chemical dependent person is sufficient to get him/her not only to accept help, but to want it.
Formal Intervention
5. Meet as a group with the chemically dependent person and present the “love Letters” and recommendations in an objective, caring, loving, and nonjudgmental manner.
A caring, loving, and nonjudgmental manner is crucial to the intervention process. Those who can’t control their anger at the time of the intervention shouldn’t participate. Later, when the chemically dependent person is in treatment, time should be provided for the family and concerned persons to express their anger and to work through it.
Remember we are doing this intervention to save the family and a person’s life.

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