We do interventions for substance abuse. We will willfully do them at your location. Call for more information.

Learn about the disease of chemical dependency (alcohol or other drugs).

Assemble the intervention team.

1. Make a list of people significant to the addict or alcoholic.
2. Determine if any individuals should not participate.
3. Contact the people on your list and ask them to participate (3-6 is best).
4. Select a chairperson for the intervention.

Explore your feelings.

1. Talk about feelings of reluctance or fear.
2. Ask yourself the following questions
• Can I participate without becoming angry or aggressive?
• Can I participate without becoming overwhelmed with emotion?
• Am I able to confront the addicted person in a caring manner?
• Am I prepared to follow through with the consequences presented to the addict?
• Am I prepared to deal with the possibility of the addict becoming angry?
3. Discuss how it will make you feel to finally take positive action.
4. Document negative behaviors and prepare a letter to the addicted person.
• Communicate care and concern.
• Be specific and avoid generalizations.
• Include times and dates when possible.
• Include information related to drinking and other drug use in the following areas:
• Health problems.
• Inappropriate behavior.
• Decreased ability to function.
• Memory loss and personality change.
• Attempts to conceal use or hide supply.
• Problems related to family, marriage, job, finances or the law.
• Using large quantities or using continuously over long periods.
• Drinking or drugging at inappropriate times.
• Ethical deterioration.

Identify the objections you may face.

1. List any objections you anticipate.
2. Write an answer to counteract each anticipated objection.

Determine consequences or your "bottom line."

1. Be honest and realistic.
2. Be willing to follow through.

Make arrangements for treatment and take care of details.

1. Determine financial and insurance resources.
2. Set up appointment with a treatment facility.
3. Arrange to deal with responsibilities, e.g.. Time off work, home, pets, plants, children, travel arrangements.

Rehearse the intervention session at least once; twice, if needed.

Set time, date and place for the intervention.

1. Create a believable excuse for the meeting.
2. Set a time when the person is most likely to be sober.
3. Select a private place other than the addicts home if possible.
4. Select someone to chaperone the addicted person to the session.
5. Take the addict to the session only if he or she is sober.

Follow through with the structured intervention.

1. Get answers to any last minute questions.
2. Double-check that all arrangements are in order.
3. Chairperson opens and mediates the session.
4. Each participant reads his or her presentation to the addicted person.
5. Present treatment options and make a firm agreement for help.
6. Clearly state the consequences if the addict refuses help.
7. Keep in mind that it's the disease your confronting, not the person

Do you need a professional interventionist?

1. With proper preparation, most people are capable of doing an intervention without professional assistance.
2. If you feel you need help, work with a professional experienced in intervention.
3. A professional is recommended if any of the following apply to the addict:
• History of abusive, violent or unpredictable behavior.
• History of mental illness or suicide threats / attempts.
• Ongoing depression.
• Several treatment attempts without successful sobriety.
• Other factors that go beyond the chemical dependency problem.

Things to remember.

1. Act out of love and concern.
2. Make a commitment to begin your own recovery as a family member or friend of an addict.
3. Trust in the power of the group.
4. Have faith. You are acting as an instrument of God's love, a Higher