Knowing how to stage an intervention for addiction is the most important part of having one. The openness and vulnerability needed for an effective one open both the person with the addiction and their loved ones to emotional harm. Walking away with an agreement to attend treatment, not hurt feelings, is vital. To do that, you must plan everything in advance. 

Then decide the type of intervention, the place, and the people who will help accomplish its goal. Be sure to define a clear and achievable goal. It should be something the subject (the person with the addiction) can be held accountable for. Above all, know what to say before the intervention begins. 

Defining Interventions 

Interventions give loved ones a chance to have a candid conversation about their behavior. They discuss the destructive behaviors they’ve witnessed and how the addiction may have harmed them personally. This appeal to empathy accompanies an ultimatum. Ultimatums, in addiction, give the potential patient a wake-up call that, if all goes well, pushes them to seek treatment. 

Three Types of Interventions 

The nuances of addiction require a treatment program tailored to the individual. As the first step in that lifelong treatment journey, the planners must adjust the intervention to meet the person’s needs. 

Consider which of the three types of intervention will work best: 

Informal Intervention 

A casual conversation, often one-on-one. This approach puts more pressure on one person to get the job done alone. Fortunately, the relaxed atmosphere should make the subject feel less cornered and more willing to listen. 

Brief Intervention 

A medical intervention conducted by doctors. This short talk discusses their habits in detail and assesses their future risks. This preventative measure targets children and teens who test positive for illicit substances. It aims to discourage them from continued substance use. 

Formal Intervention 

The traditional planned event and what most imagine when thinking of an intervention. Multiple people come together with the help of a mental health professional or religious leader. They sit their loved one down and have a long conversation. Each one brings notes to share how the addiction affected their lives and shares their story with everyone.

This emotional and raw process is difficult for everyone involved. Plan every stage and ensure everyone at the intervention knows their role and how to proceed. 

How to Stage an Intervention 

The more information available before an intervention, the better. Have a plan and know what to expect from each stage of the process. 

Getting Ready for An Intervention 

Plan everything. Carefully consider who should come and where the group should meet. Pick a time when the subject of the intervention is available and sober. Most of all, know what to say, and how the people attending might react. 

Who to Bring to an Intervention 

The larger the group involved, the more opportunities for something to go wrong. The subject is likely to become defensive when confronted by a large group and may resist the message. Therefore, only bring the people whose lives changed as a result of their addiction and whose opinions the subject values. 

Each attendee should stay calm and collected under pressure and not respond to insults or accusations from the subject. Use a rehearsal to find these people and adjust the guest list as necessary. 

What to Say at an Intervention 

Know in advance what everyone plans to say, when and how they plan to say it, and rehearse together. Have someone act out the subject’s likely responses to prepare for sudden emotional conflict. 

This rehearsal helps identify potential obstacles you may encounter during the actual intervention and what  to avoid. Don’t argue, yell, threaten, or vent. Help one another process these potential reactions ahead of time and work together to stick to the facts: 

• How the subject’s addiction affected their lives 
• How they felt in the moment and afterwards (not how they feel now) 

Use these pre-intervention sessions to choose a time and place that works for everyone in the group. 

Intervention Meeting Places 

Choose a place the subject feels comfortable, but not so relaxed that they’re intoxicated or recovering. Avoid their home—or anyone else’s. A neutral, private space avoids any power imbalances or stressful obligations for any one person. Private meeting rooms at community centers or shared places of worship are good neutral spaces for interventions. 

When to Have the Intervention 

Choose a time when everyone who can attend is available, comfortable, and in a good headspace. That includes the subject. They can’t have a reasonable, objective discussion if they are under the influence. 

What Happens During an Intervention 

Invite the subject to the chosen location, but don’t tell them why. Sit them down and have the group share, in turn, how the person’s addiction affected them and made them feel. 

Ask follow-up questions during the conversation. They let the subject respond to others’ concerns, share their thoughts, you don't want them to feel lectured or pressured. 

Regardless though, they may feel attacked. Expect hurt feelings and hasty, nasty words. Coach everyone on how to respond to this response—calmly, lovingly, and respectfully.

While preparing, choose a decision and have them make it before the meeting ends. They could search for rehab facilities, join a support group, or start attending therapy. Either way, refuse to end the meeting until they make a decision. If necessary, present them with an ultimatum.  

Steps to Take After an Intervention

Step back, take deep breaths, and give everyone involved time to process. Review everything that happened after a set time (also chosen in advance). Decide whether the intervention worked, what went right, and what could have gone better. 

What to Do if An Intervention Doesn’t Work 

Recognize that not all interventions work. The subject could refuse to attend treatment. The group’s heartfelt words might fall on deaf ears. They could tune the conversation out, or even storm out in a rage. Don’t take these failures personally—you and your intervention team can try again. 

Start Long-Term Addiction Treatment  

If the subject agrees to get help, hold them accountable. Follow up and demand proof of change. And offer to help them begin their recovery by providing resources discovered during pre-intervention research. 

Call Never Alone Recovery’s Addiction Recovery Consultants for Help

Finding rehabs that take insurance is complicated. Never Alone Recovery prides itself on its ability to find insurance-approved rehabs that meet loved ones’ individual needs. Whether searching for local Indiana rehabs or feeling inspired to start treatment after time with its online support group, you’ll find the perfect addiction solution. Call the Never Alone Program to search for an insurance-approved treatment that works for you.