Perhaps it is one of the most common techniques to assist someone or to be helped by one or more peers, but to intervene in someone’s life to overcome a negative or harmful aspect of it can really save a person. In its counseling meaning, an intervention is simply the act of guiding someone -in this case an alcohol abuser, drug addict or even a depressed individual- to get professional assistance to get over what is wrong in their life. Some other examples of activities that a person can get addicted to and are necessary to intervene are -but not limited to- eating, playing video games or surfing the Internet for long periods of time, gambling, working, and of course, drug abuse. Any behavior that damages a person’s well-being, has to stop immediately, before the situation worsens. It is really important for any individual to know that it is never too late to seek help from a professional, as long as the individual is willing to cooperate through this process.

In some cases, an intervention made from a family member of friends, is not accepted by the addict. The best way to make an intervention will depend on the approach that is made. Never accuse an addict of being an addict before he or she acknowledges the situation. Explain why the intervention is being performed, that is to help the individual to overcome this condition. The person can be in a fragile state, so it is really important that right after the approach is made, professional attention will be needed. A subject mastering the specific condition will be necessary in order to stop it.. An intervention should be an invitation for someone to get better. So, never hesitate on giving or getting help for someone to improve their well-being, no matter how simple or complex their condition can be.

I’m very happy to be able to report to you that our brother has now completed his 40th, drug-free day. He continues his addiction treatment  at a wonderful addiction treatment center in Malibu.

He called me on my birthday this year, remember the exact date and everything-the most precious gift I could ever have hoped for. I’m so grateful for the interventionist and the guidance and expertise in planning and executing our intervention.
I knew from the very first phone call that I made that terrible night, that this was the answer I was searching for. For the first time ever, I felt as if someone truly understood what I was going through and not only wanted to help but was able to do so. Others had said they wanted to help, but offered no real assistance or treatment for addiction information. You gave me the tools I needed to get to the point where I could actually begin thinking about and planning an intervention. You not only kept me updated every step of the way with what needed to be done in selecting and locating a drug rehabilitation program for my son. I have never felt such a sense of confidence in someone that I had never met personally.

An addiction intervention is a group process utilized to make an out of control addict seek help for their illness. Addiction interventions are usually held by close friends or family members of the addict and can be known to be very intense. The most successful addiction intervention is the one that begins with a plan and is focused on getting the loved one to seek professional help.

Sometimes, an intervention can own a hard road to success. It is usually very common to find an addict who doesn’t want help with their disease. This can be dealt with in many ways. The most common method is alerting the addict that they obviously have a problem. This is usually followed by alerting them that the members of the group are aware of the problem and are no longer willing to share in their “life in a bottle” lifestyle. The fact that the intervention can consist of employers, co-workers, clergy and/or anyone who can give a clear picture of what the illness is doing to those around the addict.

A newer method being used lately is telling the addict that those involved with the intervention have been seeing a counselor about their problem several days prior to the actual intervention. With these new techniques, the addict realizes that the people closest to them have been meeting about his/her problem, leaving him/her to feel less ambushed. If the addict seeks treatment, they are apt to start a program with less of a “bad attitude” and not feel manipulated.