Intervention Information

What is an Intervention?

An intervention is a deliberate process by which change is introduced into peoples' thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Traditionally, the overall objective of an intervention is to confront a person in a non-threatening way and allow them to see their self-destructive behavior, and how it affects themselves, family and friends. At Webster Place Recovery Center we believe one of the great benefits of an intervention is too educate family, friends and co-workers that the person's illness is not their fault nor their responsibility. By gaining a better understanding of the scope and severity of addiction, participants are able to see how their own self-defeating behaviors contribute to the dysfunctional relationship. Many times intervention participants will identify how they have long accepted unacceptable behavior in themselves and others and the intervention process assists in helping participants make unacceptable behavior unacceptable. An intervention usually involves several people who have prepared themselves to talk to a person who has been engaging in self-destructive behavior. In a clear and respectful way, they inform the person of factual information regarding his or her behavior and how it may have affected them. The immediate objective of that session is for the self-destructive person to listen and to accept help.

Do Interventions Work?

An intervention can be a helpful tool for a family member, colleague or friend who is resistant to addressing his or her problem. At one time there was an attitude that people couldn't be helped unless they "hit bottom" but that has changed. Intervention is a process that brings the "bottom" to the individual, rather than waiting for the ravages of addiction to fully engulf all areas of a person's life. Often people who are resistant and enter treatment due to an intervention do very well. At Webster Place Recovery Center, all calls to request an intervention are directed to one of our staff first, as oftentimes an intervention may not be necessary, but rather an understanding and helpful hand at the other end of a call or visitation.

What are the steps to complete an intervention?

1. Contact an interventionist and talk with one of their trained staff members.

2. Set up a meeting with an intervention specialist during which you are able to discuss the history of the person who needs the intervention as well as the circumstances in which it will take place.

3. Before the actual intervention occurs, the interventionist will meet with the family members and friends several times to go over each person's role in the intervention, as well as helping those involved stay committed to their boundaries and the consequences for the substance abuser, if he or she does not follow through with the intervention. For business interventions, one session is often enough to produce a successful intervention.

4. Conduct the intervention. Oftentimes it is best for the intervention to take place somewhere that is familiar to the individual. Because the situation will already be awkward and uncomfortable, the intervention specialists find that the individual's home, or home of a close family member is often ideal. They usually try to have two intervention specialists present for this event and for transportation -- depending on situation.

5. After the intervention has taken place, their staff will continue to spend time with the person needing recovery, assisting him/her in initial detox center intake if necessary, and provide transportation to a pre-arranged recovery center. Either Webster Place Recovery Center, a Detox facility, or another treatment center are options. The intervention specialist will also provide a follow up session with participants.

6. Once the individual is undergoing recovery, the interventionist will continue to maintain contact with him or her. The intervention specialist will remain active in the client's recovery and act as the go between for the family and the recovering individual.

Often within AA or NA, people will call a version of this process a 12 step call - and there is no fee for this service work. They often strongly believe in giving back what was so freely given to them during intervention. There exist professional interventionists whose fees vary widely for this kind of service.

If our staff cannot help you we will be happy to give you the names of some professional interventionists.

Contact us today for help with this issue.

Interventionists we have worked with:

Diana Clark

FAMILY HEALING STRATEGIES

PO 268

N Claredon, VT, 05759-0268

(802)236-0145

familyhealingstrategies@gmail.com

Steve Fitzsimmons

COURAGE TO CHANGE INTERVENTIONS

15 Hudson St

Northborough, MA, 01532

(774)279-4555

www.fitzsimmonsassociates.com