Many people are confused and frightened by the idea of an addiction intervention. They don’t know what it is or what it can and cannot do. All they know is that someone they love or care about is destroying their life because of addiction – to alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs used nonmedically, or due to compulsive behaviors such as gambling, sex, work, spending, or eating. Many addicts have multiple addictions. Some have co-occurring mental health disorders.
Denial is a key characteristic of chemical dependency and people who suffer from this illness will consequently have serious difficulties that result from denial. Problems include an inability to acknowledge the effects of chemical dependency upon themselves and their loved ones. For this reason, interventions seek to help the chemically dependent confront their condition and enter treatment for it. Interventions typically involve a group meeting in which family members, friends and other appropriate associates such as coworkers, employers or clergy talk with the chemically dependent person about their concerns. Additionally, there are suggestions made by the group for solutions.
Successful interventions include expressions of warmth, caring and concern for the affected person. They are best facilitated by trained professionals who support all participants and who structure the intervention so that concerns are addressed and unnecessary conflict is kept to a minimum. Most intervention specialists will work in advance with the concerned parties to prepare for the formal intervention itself. A successful intervention typically results in the chemically dependent person entering treatment.
There several types of intervention among these are the Johnson Model of Intervention and the Invitational Intervention. Both are recovery focused and both involve the use of a group process.
The Johnson Model is based upon the belief that chemical dependency impairs the substance user’s insight and judgment. Therefore, concerned members of an intervention will give the substance user details of how he or she is affected by substance use and how that substance use is also affecting the people who care for them. Such an intervention has also been called a “surprise intervention” because chemically dependent people for whom these types of interventions are arranged are typically not aware that others have been preparing to confront them.
The Johnson Model involves each participant talking directly to the chemically dependent person in order to describe concerns, impact and to pledge support throughout efforts to seek treatment and remain abstinent.
A second type of intervention is known as the Invitational Method. This type of intervention has several similarities to the Johnson model. It, too, typically uses professional guidance to prepare for and complete the intervention. It is also done in an effort to remedy chemical dependency and its effects upon the substance user and their loved ones. Additionally, the participants demonstrate their concern and support for the chemically dependent person. Significantly, however, the chemically dependent person is aware of the intervention before hand and is invited to participate.
The Invitational Intervention focuses more upon the addiction rather than the addicted individual. It addresses chemical dependency as a family disease. Family members other than the chemically dependent person may develop coping and treatment plans for themselves in such an intervention. The addicted family member is considered to be a participant in helping the entire family recover from the disease of addiction. While the chemically dependent person may enter treatment as a result of this intervention, this is not the primary goal of the intervention as it is in the Johnson model.
You have tried just about everything to get a loved one into treatment. You are at your wits’ end. No matter how much you beg, cajole, or even threaten this person, they just will not budge. You are terrified that their drug or alcohol abuse will only get worse – and you know that nothing you say will ever get through to them.
Is it time for an intervention?
Read more about Should You Hire an Addiction Intervention Specialist?
Janet Jackson told ABC’s Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview that her family was not naive about Michael Jackson’s drug problem, saying that she reached out to her brother throughout the years, but was unsuccessful.
If you have been dealing with a loved one who is abusing alcohol or drugs, you have probably asked them to slow down. Maybe you have even gone so far as to ask them to get treatment. They might have listened for a few months – or maybe only a few days – and tried to curb their substance abuse. Possibly they just practiced hiding their abuse a little more effectively. It isn’t long before you start asking them once again to deal with their addiction problem.
Read more about Are You Making It Easier for Your Loved One to Abuse Drugs?
A&E might be the only channel that devotes two shows to drug abuse intervention: There’s the reality show “Intervention,” which profiles real people who struggle from drug and alcohol abuse and their loved ones, and then there’s “The Cleaner,” a drama about a recovering addict, William Banks, who spends his life helping addicts recover—especially those who don’t want help.
“The Cleaner” is back for a second season, with Benjamin Bratt starring as Banks. The character is based on the real life of Warren Boyd, who had nine DUI convictions and had already spent five years in prison at the age of 32. Addicted to alcohol and cocaine, Boyd had been in and out of 26 rehab programs without success. In 1990, his then-girlfriend Deedee gave birth to their child right before Boyd returned to prison. When his daughter was placed in his arms, he said he returned to his senses.
Read more about A&E’s “The Cleaner” Highlights Drug Intervention
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