An intervention is a carefully organized meeting between the qualified interventionist, the addict and the family member(s) and/or friends. This will be planned out beforehand and we can use methods such as have letters written by family members and friends which will be read to the addict on the actual day of the intervention. These letters should be written in an honest and caring way and should detail their worries for the addict and how it is affecting their life and the addicts life. An intervention is used as a way of breaking through the addicts denial and to persuade them to seek help through a rehabilitation center there and then.

Prior to the intervention, we will have agreed a suitable rehabilitation center and straight after the intervention, the client will be taken there for admission into their facilities, providing they are prepared to seek help.

When is the Best Time for an Intervention to be Done?

When an addict is in denial, a danger to themselves or others or their life has spiralled out of control, then you should consider an intervention. If the addict doesn't receive treatment, it can have some devastating fatal effects. Most families and friends are affected by the addicts behavior and know that they need to seek professional and medical help. If nothing you do or say will persuade the addict to seek help then its time for an intervention and its best to do it as soon as possible. The timing of an intervention is crucial but you probably need to act fast.

Regardless of what substance (be it alcohol, drugs or both), the addict needs to find help and they can turn their life around with the help of an intervention.

Who Needs to be Present at an Intervention?

At an intervention it is important to have close influential people present. These can be family members, and or close friends. These people are the ones who are on the receiving end of the effects that this addiction is affecting and they are the ones who can help to make a positive outcome. An intervention shouldn't include any more than 8 people.

Should Any Warning/Indication be Given to the Addict in Advance of the Intervention?

No the addict should not know anything about the intervention prior to it taking place. As most addicts are in denial of their addictions it is crucial that they have no knowledge of it beforehand otherwise they will do everything in their power to avoid it.

How Will the Addict Feel?

Interventions are a positive thing and the addict will understand afterwards why their family or friends needed to intervene in their addiction. No-one is ganging up on the addict or bullying them into making any decisions.

What Are Our Success Rates?

We have an over 95% success rate for getting an addict to agreed to be admitted into a rehabilitation center on the day of the intervention itself. Even if an addict (a very rare occasion) still decides not to enter a treatment center on the day of the intervention, they usually choose to seek treatment very soon after.

How Long Does an Intervention Take?

Interventions usually take 2 to 6 hours. The first hour will be spent with the family and/or friends of the addict, addressing everyones concerns, answering questions and preparing for the intervention itself.

The intervention then takes place and can take between 1 to 5 hours. Once the addict agrees to go into treatment, we will take them straight to the treatment center that has been agreed with the family/friends beforehand. In some cases, it can take a little longer.

Should Anyone Consider Conducting an Intervention on their Own?

In most cases we would strongly advise against this course of action. Interventions need to be conducted by highly trained and qualified staff as they can be complex and delicate. Most families or friends who try to do an intervention on their own will not be unsuccessful and can make the situation worse than it already is. It can effect personal relationships with the addict and make them feel even more isolated then they already do.

South Florida Resorces for Medicare Addiction Treatment Services

Fort Lauderdale Hospital
http://www.fortlauderdalehospital.org/addiction-services

Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC)
http://www.broward.org/ADDICTIONRECOVERY/Pages/BARC.aspx