What Is Intervention?
Intervention is a coordinated effort aimed at encouraging the addicted person to realize his or her problem and immediately seek treatment. Interventions come in various forms. It is important to understand each individual’s uniqueness to determine which form is best for them and their family.
Intervention Techniques
The concept of hosting an intervention for a loved one suffering from addiction is often played out in popular culture. When many think of intervention, they imagine luring an unsuspecting addict to a room filled with family and friends with the intention of confronting them about their addictive behavior. But there’s more to an intervention than just confrontation.
Here are four intervention methods that have proven effective for those dealing with the disease of addiction:
Johnson Model
This is the most recognized model of intervention. The Johnson Model utilizes the element of surprise, where family and friends confront the addict with the help of an interventionist. With this type of intervention, the group often discusses the addict’s behavior and the harm they have caused themselves and those they love. The goal is to help the addict remove any sense of denial about their problem and offer support if they enroll in treatment. There is often a consequence or ultimatum in the event the addict refuses to go to recovery.
While it can be powerful for an addict to hear how they are affecting those around them, sometimes using pressure or invoking shame is not always the best tactic—as the addict does not feel they have control of the situation—often leading them to struggle through recovery and potentially relapse.
Invitation Model
This style of intervention is similar to the Johnson model, except that it removes the element of surprise. Generally one friend or family member is asked to speak with the addict about finding help for addiction and then arranges a time for everyone to meet with an interventionist. The addict is fully aware of what will occur at the meeting and can decide whether they will attend or not.
Because this intervention is not a surprise, the addict is often less defensive and more willing to listen. However, it is always possible that the addict will choose not to attend a meeting with the interventionist. With this technique, family and friends are encourage to meet even if the addict refuses as it can help them understand where they may be contributing to the problem by acting as an enabler.
Field Model
Named for the fact that the interventionist is free to make decisions “in the field” this method combines elements of both the invitational and Johnson interventions in the fact that this help for addiction can be planned or unexpected. This model is known for its flexibility and its ability to adapt to the situation at hand.
This method is often recommended in situations where the addict has the potential to react in a negative or threatening manner.
Systemic Model
Interventions don’t always have to feel confrontational. Instead they can allow family and friends to place an emphasis on encouraging the addict that they can live without addiction. The systemic model also resists placing blame and shame on the addict and instead invites family and friends to discuss, in the presence of an interventionist or therapist, how they’ve all contributed to the addict’s continued substance abuse.
This method looks at addiction as a community problem, not just one that affects the addict themselves. It also lowers the likelihood that the addict will become upset or defensive. Because of this, adolescents often react positively to this intervention technique as they don’t feel they are being yelled at for a problem they no longer have control over.