Caring Interventions
Frequently Asked Questions About Intervention
Intervention works. Treatment is effective. People recover. Call (800) 956-6212.
1. Why intervention?
2. Why not have him/her ordered into treatment?
3. What happens during an intervention?
4. Where will the intervention take place?
5. Will the intervention be confrontational?
6. Will the intervention be successful?
7. What is your success rate?
8. Does treatment work?
9. Will my insurance pay for intervention?
10. What treatment centers do you use?
1. Why intervention?
Substance abuse and addiction alter areas of the brain critical to decision-making, memory, learning and behavior control. An addict’s loss of control, irrational thinking and denial are related to structural changes in the brain. (Follow the link for more information on addiction.) Loss of control is not a result of moral weakness or lack of will as many people still believe. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the addicted individual for others to step in. However, just telling an alcoholic or addict that you are concerned for his health and well-being will not change his neuro-anatomy or addictive behavior. People who are addicted don't believe they have a problem. If there's a problem, it’s "your" problem. The training and experience of an interventionist will greatly improve the odds that your loved one or co-worker will recognize the problem and take action to get help.
Unfortunately, families - and business associates - rarely seek help before addiction has caused serious problems. And, all too often they are told that there is nothing they can do until the alcoholic or addict hits the proverbial "bottom." But alcoholics and addicts do not reach bottom alone. They take the family or the business with them as they lay ruin to finances, relationships, health, dignity and hope itself. The family is not told that bottom can be irreversible: 350 people a day hit bottom when they lose their lives. Intervention can save the alcoholic/addict and the family from years of distress and devastation. An intervention raises "bottom." *
2. Why not have him/her ordered into treatment?
Under certain circumstances, getting a court order may be necessary. Intervention, on the other hand, has distinct advantages. First, an interventionist can educate concerned others about the nature of addiction and the collective denial that facilitates it. Often, this is the first step toward recovery from this family disease. Second, a well-run intervention builds group consensus and cohesion and helps the concerned others to stay on message. This makes it difficult for the addicted individual to deny the presence of and damage caused by addiction and increases the likelihood that he or she will choose treatment. Third, the respect, compassion and love demonstrated by the intervention participants goes a long way toward motivating the addicted individual to embrace recovery. Patients who are motivated to get well are more hopeful and more likely to actively participate in the recovery process. Studies show that these patients are 30 to 40 percent more likely than those forced into treatment to be clean and sober one year later.
3. What happens during an intervention?
Prior to the intervention, participating family, friends and/or co-workers receive instruction on the disease model of addiction. Then, they collaborate with the interventionist in planning and rehearsing the intervention. Often, participants prepare letters in which they describe their experiences of the addict's behavior and how it affects them individually. During the intervention meeting, participants read their letters and speak honestly but respectfully about how the addiction is affecting the speaker, the addict and others close to the addict. Successful interventions educate the concerned others about addiction, show the identified patient that addiction is affecting those around him and motivate him to seek recovery.
4. Where will the intervention take place?
Interventions often take place in a home or conference room, but can be effected almost anywhere, including a hospital room or jail. Location is always decided in collaboration with concerned others.
5. Will the intervention be confrontational?
No, confrontation is always counterproductive. The interventionist will coach all participants to be clear and honest, but at the same time, respectful and compassionate.
6. Will the intervention be successful?
All interventions are successful. Whether or not the patient accepts help immediately, the silence surrounding the addictive behavior is broken and denial is defeated. Functional boundaries are drawn to protect concerned others and motivate the addict to seek recovery. Usually, the identified patient goes to treatment immediately following the intervention. Infrequently, it takes more time for the identified patient to accept treatment.
7. What is your success rate?
We have a success rate of more than 83 percent, which is to say that 83 percent of identified patients enter treatment immediately following an intervention. If we include those who enter treatment within the following 30 days, the success rate goes up.
8. Does treatment work?
The short answer is "yes, if the right treatment program is selected." One of the most valuable contributions we make as interventionists is screening the identified patient and identifying treatment options that meet patient needs without exhausting patient resources.
9. Will my insurance pay for intervention?
Insurance does not cover intervention but can help with treatment. Each case is different and depends on the insurance policy and treatment needs. We do our best to maximize insurance benefits by recommending optimal treatment options. Understanding that addiction may have already gone through significant resources, we find the most effective treatment obtainable within the constraints of available means.
10. What treatment centers do you use?
We have visited all of the major treatment centers in the United States and we regularly visit treatment programs to ensure that we make the best possible recommendations. In addition, we are part of a national network of industry contacts that helps us to match clients with appropriate treatment facilities. In keeping with the ethical code of the national Network of Independent Interventionists, Caring Interventions is an independent intervention practice not affiliated with any treatment center.
Intervention works. Treatment is effective. People recover. Call 800-956-6212.
* Debra Jay, No More Letting Go: The Spirituality of Taking Action Against Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. Copyright © 2006 by Debra Jay. Published by Bantam Books.