FAQ Regarding Interventions

[toggle Title=”What is an intervention?”]
An intervention is an act of love and caring. It consists of an employer or a group of close friends and family members who present their observations and concerns about their loved one’s self-destructive behavior to help them choose a new path to recovery. This is done in a non-judgmental manner with the guidance of an interventionist, in a controlled, objective and systematic fashion. This approach can overcome the denial and delusion of the identified person and get them to seek professional help by checking into some form of treatment. There are two types of interventions:

Informal

An informal intervention can be as simple as having a one-on-one conversation with the addictive person in whom you ask questions or make observations about how their behavior has negatively affected their life and yours. Followed by asking them to go to get help and go to treatment.

Formal

A formal intervention is a structured conversation with the addictive person that involves a group of people who are important to the addict. Formal interventions are usually used when the addictive person repeatedly refuses to get help. It is encouraged that this process is done with dignity and respect. Clear instructions for getting help are provided along with clear consequences if the help is refused. Often there is a prior meeting were plans are set and the group practices what they are going to say to the addict.

Interventions can be done alone or with the help of an interventionist, but interventions without professional guidance should be navigated very carefully, if not avoided altogether. Interventionists are specially trained to help you conduct the intervention in a safe, loving and often more productive manner. Working with a professional also allows you to focus on your personal contribution to the intervention and let go of the pressure of managing everyone and keeping a positive but firm environment. The interventionist will assist you and your loved ones from the planning the intervention, to escorting your loved one to the rehab facility, to aftercare and recovery.

The goal of an intervention is to get the person to agree to get help immediately by attending a drug and alcohol treatment program. Just promising to stop the behavior is not an acceptable conclusion.[/toggle]

[toggle Title=”Does someone you know need an intervention?”]
Every time the phone rings are you worried what bad news it will bring? When your loved one, who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, leaves do you fear it will be the last time you see them alive? Are you afraid that something tragic will happen and you will be left with feelings of guilt because you didn’t do something? Are you at your wit’s end with your loved one and their addiction? Have you exhausted all of your resources to help the addict? If the answer is yes to any of these questions then it might be time for an intervention. Family & Friend Assessment[/toggle]

[toggle Title=”What types of behavior are interventions used for?”]
Intervention is commonly used to address substance abuse but is also used to help with mental illness (such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder) and impulse control disorders or “addictive behaviors” such as codependency, overeating, excessive computer use, grief, sex addiction or self-mutilation. Here is a complete list of drugs and other disorders that interventions are frequently and successfully used to address. If Inspire Interventions is not the appropriate company to address the challenges you face we work with multiple interventionists across the country with varying specialties and can make appropriate referrals. No matter what we can help you find the right help.

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[toggle Title=”Who can participate in the intervention?”]
Anyone with a sincere interest in helping the identified loved one can participate in the intervention. Parents, siblings, grandparents, children, friends, colleagues, doctors, employers, and religious community members.[/toggle]

[toggle Title=”Is it appropriate to have children participate in the intervention?”]
Yes. Each child should be evaluated individually and participation should always be the child’s choice; never something imposed upon him or her. Some children choose to write a letter an adult reads for them during the intervention rather than directly participating. This is just as effective.

If a child does participate in an intervention, provide good support for the child before, during, and after the intervention. Allow the child to talk about his or her feelings. If the alcoholic declines treatment after the intervention, explain to the child that it is not because the alcoholic does not love him or her. It is because the addiction blocks the sick person’s ability to make healthy decisions. Assure the child that he or she did a good job during the intervention.

Please know there are wonderful programs designed specifically for children of addicted parents ages 7-12. For more information regarding children’s programs or a referral please call you don’t have to need an intervention to get a child in need help. (855) MyHope4 you is to be inspired![/toggle]

[toggle Title=”What are the different intervention models?”]

The ARISE® Intervention Model

The ARISE® Intervention, developed by Dr. Judith Landau, is and Evidence-based, Best Practice Intervention. It is an integrated approach that involves entire family systems in an invitational and collaborative intervention process that reduces guilt and blame. The intervention process begins with an invitation to a family meeting and goes on to offer a full continuum of care for a minimum of six months. The goal is to not only get the addict into treatment but to help the whole family system heal and move into recovery.

The STORTI MODEL of Intervention

The Storti model, created by Ed Storti, CADC II, is a motivational, inspirational and spiritual method of working with the addictive person and their family. The process brings together a group of people, family and friends, to honor the addicted person. During the intervention process the gift of treatment is presented in such a way that the addicted person can accept that it is a gift. It is in this moment through the loving eyes of the group that the addictive person begins to believe they deserve and can accept this gift, gain freedom from their addiction and start their journey towards a new life and recovery.

The Field Model of Intervention (FMI)

FMI is a clinically based model of intervention developed by Jane Mintz, MA, LPC, BCPC, BRI-II, CFMI. The Field Model of Intervention comprehensively covers all aspects of interventions with complex addiction and behavioral health clients and their families. FMI specifically targets the clinical underpinnings of the complex addiction and behavioral health client and their families.

The SYSTEMIC Intervention Model

The SYSTEMIC recognizes addiction as a disease that affects and involves entire families, including the “workplace family.” It is a disease of denial characterized by unhealthy coping and attempts to manage the “problem.” It is an alternative to traditional confrontational intervention models because family, friends, and colleagues form a team to work with the addictive person and address the issues in a loving and respectful manner. It is a successful system precisely because the focus is on patient, but firm, coaching instead of negative confrontation.

The JOHNSON® Intervention Model

The JOHNSON® model raises the bottom for an addict, which is often death, by compassionately confronting the addict with the consequences of their addiction. Precipitating a crisis in the addict’s life that is not threatening, damaging, or fatal and compels them into treatment raises the bottom.[/toggle]

[toggle Title=”What model of intervention does Inspire Interventions use?”]
Inspire Interventions draws from evidence-based, best-practice intervention models including: ARISE®, Storti and Field Model of Intervention. Every intervention is unique. Inspire Interventions designs an intervention specifically for the family and the loved one’s situation, behavior, and treatment needs.[/toggle]

[toggle Title=”Does Inspire Interventions work with other interventionists and therapists?”]
YES! We work with a number of interventionists and therapists across the country. There are certain types of addiction and other situations that require very specialized services. In those cases we will either bring in a specialist to the treatment team or make the appropriate referrals.[/toggle]

[toggle Title=”Does treatment work?”]
Yes. The key to success is finding the appropriate treatment center to address all the underlying issues. A long series of failed treatment experiences usually points to unresolved trauma or misdiagnosed mental health issues. Prior to the intervention collecting as much information as possible regarding any traumatic events, legal issues, underlying mental health, or health issues and getting a list of all the medications your loved one is taking will help make the best recommendations. Another key is to get a complete family history of mental health, addiction and trauma. This helps not only remove the shame for your loved one it will also help begin the process of healing the whole family.[/toggle]

[toggle Title=”What treatment centers do you use?”]
Inspired Interventions is continually visiting treatment centers across the country to ensure we are able to make the best and most appropriate recommendations. We work with a variety of psychiatric hospitals, detoxes, intensive out-patient programs (IOP), residential treatment programs and wilderness treatment programs across the country. Inspire Interventions is an independent intervention practice not affiliated with any treatment center.[/toggle]