Intervention (counseling)

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This article is about orchestrated group interventions. For the approach used in cognitive psychology, see cognitive interventions.

An intervention is an orchestrated attempt by one, or often many, people (usually family and friends) to get someone to seek professional help with an addiction or some kind of traumatic event or crisis. The term intervention is most often used when the traumatic event involves addiction to drugs or other items. Intervention can also refer to the act of using a technique within a therapy session.

1 Seriously harmful activities and less harmful activities
2 Direct and indirect interventions
3 Plans for direct intervention
4 Prior preparation
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Seriously harmful activities and less harmful activities

Interventions have been used to address serious personal problems, including, but not limited to, alcoholism, compulsive gambling, drug abuse, compulsive eating and other eating disorders, self-mutilation, tobacco smoking, "workaholism", and various types of poor personal health care.

Interventions have also been conducted due to personal habits not as frequently considered seriously harmful, such as video game addiction, excessive computer use and excessive television viewing.

[edit] Direct and indirect interventions

Interventions are either direct, typically involving a confrontative meeting with the alcohol or other drug dependent person (the most typical type of intervention) or indirect, involving work with a co-dependent family to encourage them to be more effective in helping the addicted individual. The use of interventions originated in the 1960's with Dr. Vernon Johnson. The Johnson Model was subsequently taught years later at the Johnson Institute. This model pioneered way of intervention however has always come under scrutiny because of the "ambushing" nature that the model falls under. Despite some of the negative beliefs of the Johnson Model, it is still responsible for thousands of lives that have been turned around as the result of a Johnson Model Intervention. It should be noted however that in the last 20 years 3 other major models of intervention have been created and utilized within the field of intervention. The Heart to Heart Model/Storti Model is similar to the Johnson Model in that the element of surprise exists, however it takes out the component of confrontation and is a very loving and caring display of intervention.

Two of the major models of intervention that are utilized today are known as systemic and A.R.I.S.E. model of intervention. Both use an invitational approach to intervention and rely heavily on having the family as a whole enter a phase of recovery. This helps take the focus on the addicted individual and notes the need for the entire family unit to change in an effort for everyone who is involved to get healthy. This model places an emphasis on treating the addicted individual with dignity and respect.

[edit] Plans for direct intervention

Plans for a direct intervention are typically made by a concerned group of family, friends, and counselor(s), rather than by the addict. Often the addict will not agree that they need the type of help that is proposed during the intervention, usually thought by those performing the intervention to be a result of denial. One of the primary arguments against interventions is the amount of deception required on the part of the family and counselors. Typically, the addict is surprised by the intervention by friends and family members.

[edit] Prior preparation

Prior to the intervention itself, the family meets with a counselor (or interventionist). Families prepare letter in which they describe their experiences associated with the addict's behavior, to convey to the person the impact his or her addiction has had on others. Also during the intervention rehearsal meeting, group member is strongly urged to create a list of activities (by the addict) that they will no longer tolerate, finance, or participate in if the addict doesn't agree to check into a rehabilitation center for treatment. These consequences may be as simple as no longer loaning money to the addict, but can be far more serious, such as losing custody of a child.

Family and friends read their letters, who then must decide whether to check into the prescribed rehabilitation center, or deal with the promised losses.