What is an Intervention?
An intervention is a well planned and orchestrated meeting where family members, friends,and (ideally) a professional Interventionist confront an individual with an alcohol or substance abuse problem in a compassionate manner. An intervention is a structured, solution-focused process of getting help for a person who is in denial or refuses to get help for alcoholism or substance abuse. An intervention typically consists of a small group of close friends, family members or co-workers who come together in a caring and non-judgmental manner.

How does it work?
A well-conducted intervention is objective, unequivocal, nonjudgmental and caring in the presentation of specific facts. It is an empathetic -- NOT sympathetic -- process. Prior to meeting the prospective patient, an interventionist works with the interested parties, educating them about the disease, treatment and the intervention process. After a thorough preperation process, each participant in the intervention takes a turn expressing their concerns and how they see the target individual's behavior is affecting them and this person. Participants may express their understanding of the problem, but they most certainly don’t sympathize with the problem. The problem is the PROBLEM. The person IS NOT the problem. Additionally, there needs to be a rehab facility already lined up and prepared to admit the person with the problem immediately upon completion of the intervention.

What is its Goal?
The goal of an intervention is to get the person with the problem to agree to go and complete a rehab program. The purpose of an intervention is to facilitate the prospective patient's admission into an appropriate treatment program.