About Drug and Alcohol Interventions

Millions of American families struggle with drug and alcohol addiction each day. Relationships become strained, arguments become common and trust quickly evaporates. While addicts struggle with their addictions in one way, their loved ones are forced to struggle in another way.

When a loved one confronts the addict about their use, it is not uncommon for the confrontation to become escalated. In fact, even more strain is put on the relationship. Getting an addict to acknowledge their problem is a great feat in itself. Getting them to agree to go to treatment is sometimes almost impossible.

A drug or alcohol addict who does not respond to offers for help by family or loved ones may benefit from an intervention that is guided by a professional interventionist. The importance of having a professional interventionist, a neutral third party, is that it allows the family to offer help to their addicted loved one, without losing their way and caving into the addict – again. And intervention is a structured meeting of family members, loved ones, and others interested in the addict getting better. It usually takes place in an environment familiar to the addict – such as a relative's house.

There are key parts to a successful intervention:

• The addicts’ family member or other loved one contacts a professional interventionist.
• The interventionist will typically have a teleconference with someone close to the addict so that the interventionist is able to learn useful information about the addict, including their history and usage. This is also usually the time that the location for the intervention is chosen.
• During pre-intervention, the interventionist will meet in person with those who are going to participate in the actual intervention. The interventionist will go over the role of each person participating in the intervention, as well as answer any questions that they may have. One of the most important jobs of the interventionist during the pre-intervention is working with participants to establish boundaries, as well as the consequences for the addict if they do not accept the help that they are being offered.
• The actual intervention takes place at the rearranged location. The addict should not be made aware of the intervention beforehand, so that they do not try to avoid it.
• Upon accepting the help being given to them, the interventionist will typically escort the addict to the predetermined treatment facility.
• The interventionist will periodically contact the addict, who is now in recovery, to track their progress, offer support, and help them in any other way possible.

Since many families are not knowledgeable about treatment options, or are simply overwhelmed by the devastation of the active addiction, the professional interventionist will happily serve as the liaison between the family, the addict, and a treatment center. Simply, the job of the interventionist is to guide families and loved ones in the proper way to get their addicted loved one into treatment.

The average cost of a professional intervention is $2500 to $3500, plus the travel expenses of the interventionist. The price compensates the professional interventionist for the two or three days that they devote to helping both you and the addict in your life.

For more information about interventions or sobriety coaching, please visit Sober Friend Network or call 1-800-799-1269.