How to Plan a Family Intervention in California?

Sometimes, it becomes obvious that someone needs help in the form of a family intervention. If a loved one has developed a dependence or addiction to alcohol or drugs, they may need to hear from those closest to them that it’s time for help — professional help that only a high-quality substance abuse treatment center can provide. 

Resurgence Behavioral Health is a leading rehab center that specializes in all forms of substance abuse treatment. We offer comprehensive treatment programs that include clinically supervised medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient addiction treatment, aftercare, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment. If your loved one enrolls for treatment, we can help them achieve lasting recovery! 

Steps to Plan a Family Intervention:

Purpose: The main goal is to convince a loved one to seek professional help for their substance abuse.
Participants: Ideally, family members and close friends who are respected by the individual should participate.
Planning: Involves preparing what to say, setting goals, and organizing logistics.
Professional Help: An interventionist can assist in planning and moderating the intervention.
Follow-Up: Ensures the individual follows through with treatment.

For more detailed information, dive deeper here, into our Article.

Understanding the Purpose of a Family Intervention

The purpose of a family intervention is to convince someone to get help for their substance abuse condition. An intervention might be formally or informally conducted, but its purpose is clear: persuade a loved one to enroll in treatment at a rehab center. People who have an alcohol or drug addiction don’t always recognize when their substance use becomes a serious problem. Families can work together to convince their loved ones to recognize that their substance abuse has become an issue they need to deal with. An intervention is a way for families to meet with a loved one with one purpose: to convince them to get help. 

Identifying When an Intervention is Needed

It’s not always clear when an intervention should be staged, but typically, it’s when a person’s drinking or drug use becomes a serious problem. This might look different for different people. If a person’s substance abuse affects their health, relationships, job, or legal well-being, it’s a problem. A person with a substance abuse disorder may not realize that their condition has reached the level of addiction. They may believe they can handle the problem themselves. But when drinking or drug use reaches the level of dependence or addiction, they have reached the point where they’ve lost control. The only way to manage this condition is to stop drinking or using drugs. 

Choosing the Right Participants for the Intervention

Ideally, family members should participate in a family intervention. Sometimes, close friends may be included. Choose family members who are respected by the individual in question. An intervention isn’t a time for argument or anger. Choose family members who can stick to the intervention plan and recognize the value of such a meeting.

Setting Goals for the Intervention

The main goal of the intervention is to convince a person to enroll in drug or alcohol addiction treatment immediately. To that end, families will want to illustrate the problem as they see it. It’s important to stage an intervention calmly but also convey the seriousness and urgency involved. It’s also important that family members stick to the intervention plan. Resurgence Behavioral Health addiction specialists can help you form your intervention plan. 

Planning the Logistics of the Intervention

Your intervention plan will involve certain logistics. During a traditional intervention, the individual with the addiction is invited to attend. To begin, the leader or moderator of the meeting will describe the plan for the meeting. Each person will speak to the individual with the addiction, explaining what they’ve seen, experienced, and felt as a result of the drinking or drug use problem. After each person has spoken, the meeting leader will explain that the family wants the loved one to enroll in rehab treatment, such as inpatient addiction treatment. Except in extreme circumstances, rehab enrollment is a voluntary action. It’s up to the individual to accept the advice and enroll in treatment. 

Preparing What to Say: Scripts and Examples

At Resurgence Behavioral Health, our addiction specialists/interventionists can help you prepare what to say to your loved one. We can provide scripts and examples of what is often said during family interventions. We can guide families throughout the planning process. We can also discuss what not to say during an intervention. Often, family members are angry or mistrustful. We help them understand the nature of substance addiction and what’s needed to address the problem effectively. With our help, you and your family can create a plan to convince your loved one to get the help they need to manage their addiction successfully. 

Role of a Professional Interventionist

A professional interventionist can help with intervention planning and implementation. They can be involved in the intervention or remain behind the scenes. It’s up to the family to stage an intervention they are most comfortable with. An interventionist can help the family plan an effective meeting and, when participating in the meeting, can help keep it on track. These meetings are confrontational in nature — or can be — so it’s helpful to have a professional involved in its moderation. There are different intervention strategies; our interventionist can help you choose an ideal type for your family. 

Follow-Up After the Intervention

The goal of the intervention is to convince a person to enroll in treatment for their substance abuse condition. A follow-up is designed to determine if the individual in question has gotten help for their condition. Sometimes, a person makes promises but doesn’t keep them. A follow-up intervention is designed to persuade the individual to drop everything and get help — because that is the top priority. Families can support their loved ones by holding them accountable to their word. An interventionist can help with the follow-up process if needed. 

Need Help Planning a Family Intervention? Contact Resurgence Behavioral Health

If you need assistance planning a family intervention, Contact Resurgence Behavioral Health. We can help you plan and stage an intervention for your loved one. Remember that an intervention is a time to come together to help your loved one by convincing them to enroll in a rehab program. An intervention is successful if the individual gets the rehab help needed for long-term recovery. 
The sooner someone gets treatment, the sooner they can achieve their recovery goals. Few people can overcome an addiction without help. Let Resurgence Behavioral Health help your loved one transform their life and health for the better.

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial