A well planned and executed family intervention can often convince even the most determined addict of the need to concede for treatment; but a poorly run, confrontational and negative intervention can actually do more harm that good, and it’s important to spend some time arranging and practicing before a family intervention to ensure that things run smoothly on the day of the event.
Unfortunately, there are some situations in which the severity and immediacy of the problem does not allow for long and considered planning; and family and friends must act with urgency to prevent immediate and irreparable harm.
The emergency intervention
Whenever the abuse behaviors of the addict present in such a way that immediate harm to self or others is a legitimate possibility, family obviously cannot and should not wait before intervening.
When a long binge threatens health and family, when children are in a dangerous position of neglect, when the risks of suicide seem imminent, or when a person repeatedly drives while intoxicated, the family cannot wait before intervening.
An emergency intervention can be arranged in as little as hours, and although it’s important to get as many participants as possible, you must compromise inclusion for speed, and do the best you can within the realities of the situation.
20 minutes of practice
If at all possible, the members of the intervention group should meet briefly before the act to discuss ground rules and expectations for the event. Family needs to participate fully and honestly, yet it’s important that the overall tone of the meeting remain caring and compassioned, and never accusatory or hostile. The behaviors of abuse and addiction can create great feelings of anger and shame, and these feelings and harms do need to be ultimately resolved for the good of all, but an intervention is not about you, it is about the addict in need, and bringing acrimony and dissention into an intervention does very little good, and can greatly minimize the effectiveness of the act.
The ultimate goal of an intervention is an acceptance of the need for treatment, and an immediate progression into prearranged treatment. This is obviously problematic in an emergency and acute situation and the advice of a trusted doctor or other health care worker known to the family can be invaluable in the selection of an appropriate rehab facility.
When the situation is critical, you’ve got to act fast, do your best, and accept that perfection is likely unrealistic. When abuse presents with an imminent danger to self or others, it cannot be allowed to continue; and family must convene with speed, compassion and resolve to effect change for the better.
