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Interventions: How They Work and Are They Effective?

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 9 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 9 minutes

Learn how alcohol and drug addiction interventions help guide individuals toward recovery from substance abuse.

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Recognizing the Signs

Drug and Alcohol Interventions

Drug and alcohol abuse affects over 13.2 million Americans today. This is true even with many rehab facilities available across the state.

An intervention is a difficult situation. It needs careful planning to work well and achieve good results.

If your loved one misses deadlines, it may be a sign of trouble. If they no longer enjoy activities they once loved, that’s another concern. Additionally, if they have difficulty functioning without alcohol or drugs, it’s important to take action. Consider staging an intervention.

It is normal to talk to a loved one who is pulling away because of substance abuse. However, it can be hard to ask how to help. Join us as we look into the details.

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Families & Addiction

Purpose and Types

What is an Intervention?

A gathering of loved ones and friends voicing their concerns to someone struggling with addiction is an intervention. These loved ones explain their feelings, references, and thoughts regarding the victim’s substance abuse. An intervention specialist might come in handy during an intervention meeting, though this is not a must-have requirement.

Loved ones may feel an intervention is needed when they worry about someone’s substance abuse. They want to stop risky behaviors from happening in the future.

Successful interventions aim to show how a person’s actions can affect them. They hope to encourage the addict to think about treatment. They benefit individuals struggling with various addictions such as gambling, alcohol, untreated mental illnesses, drugs, etc.

Drug vs. Alcohol Interventions

You might think drug and alcohol interventions defer, but they do not contrast too much. They are generally similar. The only difference is that professional support varies. A team designs a treatment plan specifically for each person’s substance problem.

Alcohol interventions may involve professionals speaking with the person affected. This is different from family members or friends helping. This type of intervention is called an AA intervention.

This is very important when the patient is in detox. They need strong support to handle the withdrawal process.

When Intervention is Necessary?

It is hard to know when help is needed. Families affected by addiction often have codependent behaviors. These behaviors can stop them from admitting there is a problem or from confronting a loved one.

Some family members may deny that the person uses drugs or alcohol. This can make them unsure about when to hold the intervention.

So, the first step is acknowledging when a substance use disorder is present. This usually leads to negative physical, mental and emotional symptoms, yet the individual continues abusing the substances.

An individual with an addiction may build a tolerance to alcohol or drugs. They might also engage in illegal and destructive behaviors. This can lead to problems at work or school.

However, the reasons above do not mean your loved one needs an intervention. An intervention is needed only when substance abuse affects their daily life. Remember that individuals struggling with addiction usually battle co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.

Who Benefits From an Intervention?

Once substances hamper your daily functioning, you struggle with addiction and need urgent help. People who push away family and friends may face legal problems.

They might also have bad career results. Additionally, they can suffer physical or mental harm from substance abuse. These individuals need treatment.

An intervention proves effective when treatment attempts have failed to lead these people toward treatment. But you should also note that this should not be your first option when you stress over a loved one’s substance use. Consider speaking about your feelings to the person before staging an intervention.

Having several hangovers or losing a job because of drinking problems is not enough for an intervention. However, consider staging one if these behaviors continue after you share your worries. No single behavior requires an intervention, as it depends on the situation. You may also want to speak with a substance abuse expert for more options.

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Understanding the Process & Its Impact

How Does An Intervention Work?

An intervention involves a room full of loved and trusted people talking to a subject of substance addiction. These loved ones express their concern.

They tell the person they value them. They explain how substance abuse affects them. An individual in such a position will likely resort to treatment much more quickly.

The person sees the time and effort required. They understand how serious the situation is. They help the individual face the truth.

Once a person stops denying the truth, they see that others are suffering. This helps them make better choices.

What Happens During An Intervention?

First, the group planning the intervention organizes the event. They decide who will speak and what they will say.

They also pick the place and time without telling the victim. This may seem unfair or like a trick, but it helps the group. The victim must go along with it. The support group meets in a room and tells the struggling member the location and time.

When the person arrives, group members begin to share how the person’s addictive behavior has impacted them. They also express their worries about the person’s well-being.

If someone has a pre-written letter, they can read it aloud. But reading a letter isn’t required if it wasn’t planned. However, writing a letter helps prevent insensitive or unhelpful comments.

Make sure everyone speaks in a tone that tells the loved one they need treatment. Remember not to shame, punish or humiliate the individual.

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Phases of Addiction Intervention

​How to Stage An Intervention?

If you want to hold an intervention but are unsure how to do it, follow these steps.

But before that, first, determine who needs to be there and contact close familiar loved ones:

Step 1: Determine who you will include

Everyone present may have been affected by the subject’s behavior. Some may feel negative emotions. Please do not include these people.

There is no rule against including kids in this activity. However, be careful. Some people might not like having kids around. Kids, too, might feel it is too much to handle.

Step 2: Determine who speaks first

Everyone present during the activity should talk at the same level in an orderly and structured manner. You want to avoid sounding like you are fighting for others to hear your points. Set the order for everyone to speak so that no one talks over another person.

Step 3: Write a letter to the loved one

Let everyone present write a small letter of what they would say. This helps everyone understand each other’s main points. It eliminates repetition and ensures that no important information gets missed.

Step 4: Consult a professional interventionist if need be

Talk to a specialist before starting the process. This will help you get the right advice and avoid any risks. These specialists do not necessarily have to be present, but their presence is valuable.

Step 5: Determine the consequences and conditions

Determine the conditions and consequences of long-term substance abuse beforehand, and communicate that to the individual. Please do not speak to them in a manner that may seem like punishment. It should be borne out of necessity and pragmatic.

A person who can handle conflicts helps others stay calm and relaxed. They are empathetic and thoughtful. They also have strong social skills.

It is best to let the person speak and be heard. This helps them feel included in the conversation. In the absence of a specialist, let the subject trust the person leading the intervention.

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Assessing the Impact

The Effectiveness of Drug and Alcohol Interventions

Alcohol and drug interventions are effective because they push individuals struggling with addiction to get the necessary medical help. However, when done improperly, interventions elicit a negative response from the victim.

This is especially true when you shame or punish people who choose to isolate themselves. This can delay their treatment.

A harmful intervention is more likely when a medical professional is not there. It can also happen if people do not seek advice from a specialist. Interacting with someone struggling with substance abuse is a sensitive matter, not to mention the intricate details involved.

It damages anger or irritates an addicted person in a room full of people. At this point, the victim feels rejected and may build a protective wall around themselves and shut everyone out.

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Nurturing Persistence and Patience in Addiction Recovery

Remember that the subject might not seek treatment in the first round; they might not feel like it after several attemps. Recovering is a slow and challenging process, and it might seem that nothing is happening, but keep doing what you do.

Remember, the point is to ensure your loved one lives a productive and purposeful life; recovering is the first step. Your work here is to initiate the intervention process without judgment and be eager to help.

Be patient. The recovery process is not just about overcoming addiction. It also involves rebuilding your job, relationships, and the joy you may have lost along the way.

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Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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