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Most of us have an idea of what an “intervention” is; reality TV shows like “Celebrity Rehab” and “Intervention” are common reference points, but they’re just dramatized representations that don’t actually encompass the complex and deeply serious nature of interventions.

We know them as the starting point to helping your loved one take the first step to addiction recovery, but how do you hold one? What does an intervention look like, and are they successful in getting people into rehab?

While the idea of holding an intervention can be incredibly appealing—offering families a sense of action, relief, and a chance to finally be heard—it’s important to recognize that interventions are not always the most effective path to treatment. They can feel cathartic, but they must be approached with care, as they often fall short of the hoped-for outcome.

Our specialists encourage families to thoughtfully consider whether, when, and how to proceed with an intervention, keeping in mind that there may be more effective strategies for encouraging a loved one to accept help.

What is an Intervention?

An intervention is a chance for families and friends to be “heard” by the person they love after feeling repressed, isolated, and frustrated by their loved one’s addiction. It’s an organized meeting with you, the loved one, other family members, and/or a professional that directly addresses the addiction, behaviors, and how everyone involved is affected.

The goal of an intervention is to motivate someone struggling with addiction to acknowledge their disease and to seek help while creating an open line of communication. It provides a safe, controlled environment for families to express their concerns and offer support.

Why Do an Intervention?

Addiction is a chronic brain disease, no different from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Like Alzheimer’s and other chronic brain diseases, the person is usually unaware of their behaviors and the consequences, and they usually don’t notice a change until someone who cares about them points it out. Addiction is no different; it can sometimes fall to the family and close friends to point out both the disease and its harmful effects. Because the person with the addiction doesn’t recognize their dangerous behaviors, it’s up to those around them to gently help them see what’s really happening.

How to Hold an Intervention

There are 4 types of interventions: 

1. Simple Intervention: This is a one-on-one conversation between a loved one or counselor and the addicted person. The goal is to find out if they’re willing to get help, give them space to ask questions, and hear opinions from an addiction expert (this is also known as a “consultation” in addiction treatment).

2. Classic/Johnson Model: In this type, family members confront the addicted person with the guidance of a professional. This is the most common style (and what we imagine from TV), and it’s most family-focused; the family has the chance to explain how they have been directly affected by the behavior and consequences of the addicted person.

3. Crisis Intervention: This type is used when the addicted person’s behavior poses an immediate threat to themselves or others and requires action.

4. Systemic Intervention: This focuses on the entire family system, with each family member participating in the intervention and healing process. The specialist takes time to understand the entire family dynamic and how all members contribute to the disease. This adds an extra challenge, as families often see themselves as the hurt party and can have trouble accepting their own role in someone else’s addiction.

When staging an intervention, there are 3 steps to the process:

1. Preparation: The group or person, often led by an intervention specialist, plans what will be said and creates a treatment plan in advance. This prepares the family for the change the intervention will bring and sets the stage for conversation.

2. Confrontation: During the intervention, each person expresses their concerns about the addicted person’s behavior, focusing on specific examples of harmful and destructive consequences.

3. Presentation of Treatment Options: The intervention concludes with presentation of pre-arranged treatment options and encourages the addicted person to immediately accept help.

The most important part of a successful intervention is preparation. Before sitting down with your loved one down to talk, be sure that you’re fully prepared with what to say, have a trained professional by your side, a treatment plan with options laid out, and a readiness to accept whatever may unfold.

However, keep in mind that the best-prepared interventions may not deliver the results you expect. They may feel productive in the short-term, but they’re generally unpredictable and are based on numerous factors.

Which Intervention is the Best One?

There is no “right” intervention type to use, but there are ones that are more likely to be successful than others.

For instance, a simple intervention is the least likely to bring immediate change, but it does plant the seeds for your person to get help in the long run. On the other hand, systemic interventions are less likely to do immediate harm, but it requires a lot of preparation and guidance from professionals to execute.

Gentler, long-term interventions that include the entire family can be more likely to persuade your loved one or help them recognize their destructive behaviors and patterns. However, it takes a greater understanding of addiction and the family to successfully get someone into rehab.

 At the end of the day, no one knows your loved one better than you and your family—but that insight should be paired with guidance from a trained professional in addiction support, interventions, and treatment. Before taking the significant step of holding an intervention, we strongly recommend consulting with an expert who can help assess the situation, weigh the risks, and determine the most constructive approach. Thoughtful planning, informed by both personal knowledge and professional expertise, gives your loved one the best chance at accepting help.

Do Interventions Actually Work?

Interventions can work—but they should be approached with caution and ideally with the guidance of a trained professional. When thoughtfully planned and supported by someone experienced in addiction treatment and intervention strategies, they can, in certain situations, prompt a loved one to consider help.

That said, interventions are inherently unpredictable. Their impact depends on many factors: timing, the readiness of the person struggling with addiction, and how unified and prepared the support system is. Even when well executed, the results may not be immediate or dramatic.

Still, an intervention can plant the seeds for future recovery. Your loved one might not accept help in the moment, but the conversation may spark change days or even weeks later. Families should keep their expectations realistic—what feels powerful or relieving for you may not be what truly supports your loved one in taking the next step toward treatment.

Does Master Center Hold Interventions?

Master Center does not offer intervention services, but we do work with interventionists to support families. Our addiction treatment professionals also provide recommendations and resources to help you find a trained interventionist to help you.

Outside of interventions, Master Center offers family support resources, including group therapy just for adult family members to help them find community and heal. To learn about programs and services for family members, visit our Family & Friends Program page.

More Help on Interventions

Interventions may help your loved one struggling with addiction and family members by giving everyone the chance to set healthy boundaries, make their voices heard, and contribute to the addicted person’s recovery journey. Remember that education is the most important aspect and can lead to a better sense of self-control. 

Here are some resources to help you get started and be better prepared for an intervention: 

• Interventions for Addiction: In this webinar, get a more in-depth explanation of interventions and their successes from Master Center founder, Dr. James Thompson.

• Alcohol Rehab in Virginia: All Your Options Explained: In this article, explore all the rehab types to help you create a solid plan for getting your loved one help.

• Family Dysfunction & the Roles We Play: In this webinar, learn about how your role in your loved one’s life plays into their addiction and recovery, and how you can use that knowledge to better prepare for an intervention.

• How To Set Boundaries with Someone with an Addiction: In this article, learn how to set healthy boundaries with your loved one without enabling their addiction.

Remember that the blessings of recovery don’t come when you wish they would; a lot of patience and persistence is involved, and it starts with effort from everyone.

Get More Help with Our Essential Guide to Addiction for Families

If you like this article, you can access all our most popular articles for families in our FREE downloadable e-book, “A Loved One’s Guide to Life with Addiction,” and find the tools you need to take back control of your life from addiction.

About Master Center for Addiction Medicine

Master Center for Addiction Medicine is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.

Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.

Give us a call today at 804.332.5950 to schedule an appointment or learn more about us.