An alcohol intervention is simply a process by which all concerned are guided gently and responsibly from initial contact with one of our professionally trained alcohol interventionists through the preparation, rehearsal, confrontation and departure phases. All of our alcohol interventionists, male and female, are well into their own recoveries and therefore appreciate the problem in a way most lay persons don't.
If you are reading this, please realize that untreated addiction rarely gets better on its own. As most addictions are progressive in their severity, an untreated, active, unwilling addict becomes a dire concern for the loved ones. Time is of the essence in starting this process.
What can be done for the active alcoholic, drug addict or dually-diagnosed behavioral addict who is currently unwilling to reorder his life by voluntarily admitting to help and need for treatment?
How can the family, friends and loved ones whose lives are so affected by the addict find help in getting their lives reordered as well?
How can the suffering addict come to recognize the consequences of his lifestyle and the impact on those he loves?
Most everyone in this mode rest quite uneasily through this "pre-admission" phase, looking for comfort and help in all the wrong places. And some watch "Intervention" on TV but are baffled at how to conduct a alcohol intervention properly, so that it doesn't simply descend into another blown out family argument, but instead ends in a successful outcome, one which starts by getting the help they and the addict so desperately need.
Please refer to the FAQ section for more information on how YOU can begin your loved one's healing process today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alcohol Interventions:
Q: Will my call be kept confidential?
A: Yes, strictly so. It is recorded for quality control purposes only.
Q: How many people need to be involved in the alcohol intervention program?
A: Only those who are dedicated to carrying out the tough love to the addict in denial.
The optimal number may be as few as 1 and as many as want to come to be there and are materially important to the process. We've even conducted alcohol interventions with only the interventionist and the addict present, with family members on the phone.
Q: How do I know if the interventionist is the correct one for our loved one?
A: Our intervention coordinator works with a roster of highly qualified, experienced interventionists. She selects one based on the call you have with her. She encourages you to determine whether the selection is appropriate, based on how your questions are answered and an instinctive "chemistry" you feel from your call.
Q: What happens after I select the interventionist?
A: The coordinator will inform the selected interventionist of choice. You will then receive a follow up call from the interventionist, beginning the process of identifying attendees, location for the event, travel logistics, if needed, and the details of the presentations and discussion format that will take place.
Q: When and where does the intervention occur?
A: At a time and place you determine. Usually this is between one and three days after your initial call. The attendees will be informed how to maintain the element of surprise for the addict, which is of the utmost importance. All involved must be prepared to act quickly because saving a life means time is of the essence.
Q: When do we actually get to meet the alcohol interventionist in person?
A: He or she will arrive a day early to meet with all attendees to rehearse all parts of the next day's alcohol intervention.
Q: What can I expect to happen at the alcohol intervention?
A: A lot of openness, rigorous honesty, heartfelt tough love, tears and hugging. You may also see the addict initially display anger, hostility, resentment, a desire to run away from the group and emotional distance.
Q: So what is the purpose of the intervention?
A: Simply put, to get the addict to become willing to leave the intervention and enter detox and rehab immediately, accompanied to the facility by the alcohol interventionist.
Q: But what if the addict hasn't yet "hit bottom"?
A: The alcohol intervention process is, among other things, a way to bring the bottom to him.
Q: What percent of addicts actually go directly into treatment from an alcohol intervention?
A: Our team has a very high success rate, over 90 percent consistently.
Q: What about the few who do not go into treatment?
A: There are times when an alcohol intervention may have to be reassembled the following day or a few days later, generally due to the addict "coming to his senses" once the family's post-alcohol intervention consequences are put in place. Some decide later to come into treatment without those consequences forcing them to do so. Our success rate permits us to guarantee our alcohol interventions.
Q: What does it mean when an alcohol interventionist says that their services are guaranteed?
A: The alcohol interventionist will refund the cost of the alcohol intervention if your loved one does not go into treatment.
Q: Are intervention costs covered by insurance?
A: While interventions are a vital, if not all important part in actually saving someone's life, the insurance industry has yet to adopt this as an insured item.
Q: What does an intervention cost?
A: The cost for alcohol intervention services can vary depending on the situation, ability to pay for an intervention should NEVER be the deciding factor. There are programs that will offer free support on setting up an alcohol intervention. There are low-cost alcohol intervention services as well. Some interventions cost upwards of $4,000 however, these intervention services usually are coupled with long-term follow ups and guarantees. Please remember, no matter what, you and your loved-one can be helped. Finances should not stand in the way of organizing an intervention. If you need assistance, please call the Recovery Now TV helpline.
