What is an addiction intervention?
An addiction intervention is a carefully planned meeting where loved ones come together to confront someone about their substance use and its impact on their life and relationships. The goal is to express concern, offer support and encourage the individual to seek professional help.
During an intervention, family and friends share personal stories compassionately, focusing on the harm caused by the addiction rather than placing blame. It’s a chance to open the door to recovery while ensuring the person feels supported.
When is the right time to consider an addiction intervention?
An addiction intervention is generally considered at a point where there’s no room for doubt about the person’s substance use or behaviour. It’s not something to initiate based on suspicions alone, meaning interventions should be held when you’re 100% sure the person is struggling with addiction.
Here are some clear signs and situations when an intervention might be appropriate:
Step-by-step guide to holding an addiction intervention
Holding an intervention for someone you care about is a difficult but necessary step to encourage them to seek help. It’s important to approach this process with care, empathy and clear intentions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it, along with tips on what to do and what to avoid.
1. Plan ahead
Before staging an intervention, it’s essential to take time to plan everything out. Gather family members, friends and perhaps a professional (like an interventionist or counsellor) to discuss the approach. Everyone involved should be on the same page to avoid any confusion or mixed messages during the intervention.
Why it’s important: Planning ensures that emotions don’t take over and that the conversation remains focused on helping the individual.
✅ Do: Make sure everyone knows their role and sticks to facts, avoiding emotional outbursts.
❌ Don’t: Allow anyone to attend who is angry or not fully committed to a compassionate approach.
2. Choose the right time and place
Timing and location are crucial. Choose a private, comfortable setting where the person won’t feel cornered and ensure that it’s at a time when they are sober or as clear-headed as possible.
Why it’s important: The person will be more receptive in a calm environment, free from distractions or heightened emotions.
✅ Do: Pick a calm time of day, perhaps in the morning, when they are more likely to be sober and open to conversation.
❌ Don’t: Hold the intervention when they are intoxicated or in a bad mood, as this will likely cause defensiveness.
3. Prepare statements of concern
Each participant should prepare a brief, personal statement expressing their concern. Focus on specific examples of how the person’s behaviour has impacted you or others, using “I” statements to avoid sounding accusatory.
Why it’s important: Personalising the conversation and focusing on how their actions have affected loved ones can be a powerful motivator for change.
✅ Do: Use compassionate, non-judgmental language like, “I’ve noticed you’ve been struggling and I’m worried about you.”
❌ Don’t: Say things like, “You’re ruining your life,” or, “Why can’t you just stop?”
4. Present treatment options
Research treatment options ahead of time and have them ready to discuss. It’s important to offer immediate, actionable solutions, such as rehab centres, therapy or outpatient programmes.
Why it’s important: When someone is in denial, presenting options shows that help is available and that they won’t have to navigate this process alone.
✅ Do: Present a clear plan, like, “We’ve found a treatment centre with specialists ready to help you.”
❌ Don’t: Say, “You need to figure this out,” or give vague suggestions with no concrete options.
5. Set boundaries
Explain the consequences of refusing help. This doesn’t mean threatening or abandoning them but it’s important to set firm boundaries for your own well-being and the safety of others. These boundaries should be communicated with love but also firmness.
Why it’s important: Setting boundaries protects you and others from being drawn into the chaos of addiction and shows the seriousness of the situation.
✅ Do: Say things like, “We love you and want you to get help but we can’t continue enabling this behaviour.”
❌ Don’t: Threaten or use ultimatums that you aren’t prepared to follow through with, as this could make matters worse.
6. Stay calm and compassionate
During the intervention, emotions will likely run high. It’s essential to remain calm, patient and compassionate throughout the process. Even if the person becomes defensive, avoid shouting or becoming confrontational.
Why it’s important: Staying calm helps to keep the focus on the goal, getting help and prevents the intervention from becoming a heated argument.
✅ Do: Take deep breaths and remain patient, even if the person gets upset or denies the problem.
❌ Don’t: Get drawn into arguments or make accusations that could cause more harm than good.
7. Follow up
Whether or not the person agrees to seek help, following up afterwards is important. If they agree, help them take the next steps, such as making calls or arranging transport to treatment. If they refuse, maintain the boundaries set during the intervention and remind them that help is always available when they’re ready.
Why it’s important: Following up shows that the offer for help wasn’t just a one-time discussion and that you remain supportive, no matter the outcome.
✅ Do: Stay consistent with your support and boundaries, checking in regularly if they’re in treatment or reminding them help is still available if they refuse.
❌ Don’t: Go back to enabling their behaviour if they refuse help or cut off communication completely if they don’t respond immediately.
Where can I get help for staging an addiction intervention?
If you’re considering an intervention for a loved one, seeking professional guidance is important. At Oasis Runcorn, while we don’t directly facilitate interventions, we can offer expert advice on how to approach this sensitive process. Our experienced team understands the emotional complexity of addiction and can provide the support you need to navigate these conversations.
If your loved one is ready for the next step, Oasis Runcorn offers expert inpatient rehabilitation designed to support long-term recovery. Our comprehensive programmes include medical detox, personalised therapy and ongoing aftercare to ensure a successful recovery journey.
Reach out to us today for compassionate guidance and professional care that can help your loved one find their way back to a healthier life.
