TEGInterventions Process

Initial Consult:

-ID Subject Problem

By the time someone calls TEG, LLC this is usually not an issue. A lengthy pattern of abuse has become apparent. Family members are frustrated, angry and ready to do anything in an effort to help their loved one. Although an addict/alcoholic has to reach a “bottom” of their own design this is truly an opportunity for family members to engage the recovery process and bring the “bottom” to the user.

-Establish or Confirm Goals

Since the usage pattern has been clearly defined the question becomes, “What now?” It is unrealistic to believe that social use of any mood and/or mind altering chemical is a viable option at this point. We believe, “the only way to stop using is to stop using”. TEG, LLC has ongoing relationships with professional Inpatient/Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers and Halfway House throughout the United States to help individuals reach that goal. Patients can begin learning that a life without chemicals is possible.

-Collect Subject Demographic Information

A bio-psychosocial history will provide TEG, LLC with sufficient pertinent data needed to establish a viable intervention plan and ultimately, placement in the most appropriate facility available. This highly individualized approach insures the most optimal probability for success.

-Identify Team Members

You will be asked to pinpoint any persons concerned enough to take part in the intervention process. These people can be family members, close friends; neighbors…anyone with a stake in seeing the subject get help.

-Speak With Members Individually

We will contact potential team members to gather more information that may be particular to their relationship with the subject.

-Set Team Meeting

It is vital to meet as a team as soon as possible. We want all team members to have the same goal and to focus as a group on accomplishing this objective.
Team Meeting:

-Discuss Disease Model

Your Intervention Specialist will take the time to explain the disease of addiction and its 4 primary components. The disease is primary, chronic, progressive and fatal.

-Review Approach (Plan A)

There are as many different methods to achieve a positive outcome. Normally each individual team member will have the chance to advise the subject on how his/her continued use has affected their own lives physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. “Scripting” is a tool used by many team members to insure they remember everything they need to say. This is a very poignant element in the process and the basis of any intervention. Some people will chose not to write a script and instead speak directly from the heart. It is important to confine comments only to areas that team members’ are personally familiar with avoiding rumors or hearsay. “I” statements such as, “When you drink/use I feel_______” are a positive way to help the subject get in touch with the scope of his/her disease. Addiction is based in self-centeredness and therefore most addicts truly believe they are only hurting themselves.
We will also help the team remind the subject of what their relationship was like before addiction took over their lives.
The team members’ statements will always conclude with their desire for the subject to follow the recommendations to be made in order to get help. We want to encourage the subject to choose the proper course of action and feel as if they are, in fact, making their own decision.

-Review Approach (Plan B)

Not all subjects will respond to this tactic. This is not unusual because the primary element of addiction is denial. When confronted in a surprise group setting like this, the subject may turn inward and be non-responsive. The team will formulate a series of individual and group consequences that may be presented at this time. Members must be willing to see these consequences through. In the past, team members may have warned the subject that there would be consequences associated with their decision to continue to use chemicals. Usually, the members were unwilling or unable to follow through thus creating a false sense of security in the subject. This is sometimes referred to as enabling. The resolve of the team has to be both convincing and loving.

-Plan Event

Planning a surprise party is never easy and an intervention is no different. The added emotional stress involved combined with such high stakes calls for complete secrecy.
We will pick an appropriate, private location along with a date and time.
Prior to the actual event the interventionist will contact the individual team members for some final coaching and to answer any additional questions.

Intervention Session:

The culmination of our collective efforts comes to fruition at the intervention itself. The Interventionist will introduce himself and inform the subject that the assembled loved ones are here to voice concerns regarding his/her addiction. He will ask that the subject listen to everything that is said without responding until prompted to do so.
The team members will take turns voicing their rehearsed scripts until everyone has had a chance to relate exactly how the subjects’ addiction has affected them.
We will allow the subject to respond and then make a decision. If the subject elects to follow the teams’ recommendations, the session is concluded and the subject is immediately transported to the predetermined treatment provider. If not, the session continues into Plan B.