INTERVENTION SERVICES

The intervention process challenges the popular myth that a chemically dependent person must "hit bottom" before (s)he will accept help. Unfortunately, all too often this "bottom" can involve significant consequences – legal problems, lost jobs, strained relationships, life threatening physical conditions, and worse. Intervention is a method of raising the bottom with the goal of avoiding some of these devastating consequences.

A structured intervention is a very powerful, therapeutic tool – the goal of which is to help someone with a drinking or drug problem make a decision for treatment. It is a carefully planned process in which those most closely involved with the chemically dependent person attempt to intervene in this self-destructive and harmful relationship with alcohol or drugs.

Done with loving respect for the individual, it is a method by which the realities of the abuse problem are presented in a supportive, caring, and non-judgmental fashion so that the chemically dependent person can realize the need for help.

A professional interventionist will teach those considering intervention how to work together as an effective team – thus compelling the chemically dependent person to accept the help (s)he needs. This professional will determine if an intervention is the appropriate step, and will help identify other potential team members. It is very important, when possible, for all intervention team members to attend some planning sessions with the intervention professional.

In these planning sessions, the interventionist will explain how the process works and what role each team member may play. Possible treatment option(s) that will be offered to the chemically dependent person will be discussed and a designated team member will begin to make the necessary arrangements for treatment. Finally, team members will consider realistic consequences that they may impose should the chemically dependent person refuse the treatment opportunity being offered. The goal for the family, friends and/or co-workers in the intervention is to successfully convey that they will no longer enable the addiction process, but will fully support the chemically dependent person in his/her recovery journey. When these three components are present – a well-trained intervention team, a receivable treatment solution, and the possibility of realistic, natural consequences – a chemically dependent person will often choose to get help rather than continue to live in the problem of addiction.

To find out more about the intervention process – or to speak with one of our trained interventionists – please call the Admissions Department (970) 586-4491 or email [email protected]