8 Tips For a Successful Family Intervention
- Jul 6, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 4
It is incredibly difficult to watch a loved one struggle with addiction, and knowing how to help can feel overwhelming. A family intervention, when done correctly, can be the critical first step toward recovery. We understand the complexities involved and are here to provide a clear, actionable guide to help you navigate this challenging but necessary process.
What is the most crucial step for a successful family intervention?
The single most crucial step for a successful family intervention is to hire a professional intervention specialist. They can mediate the discussion, offer valuable guidance, and help the family find an appropriate treatment center, significantly increasing the chances of a positive outcome.
You have a powerful opportunity to help your loved one, and there is much more to learn about planning an effective intervention. Our comprehensive guide provides eight essential tips to ensure you are fully prepared for this life-changing conversation.
Here are 8 tips to ensure a successful family intervention.
Confronting a loved one about their addiction can be a huge challenge for everyone involved. Here are some tips to ensure a successful family intervention. Watching someone you love dearly turn into someone you don’t recognize at all is one of the most painful experiences you can endure. 40 million Americans 12-years-old and older are addicted to drugs and alcohol. And that doesn’t count other addictions.
Only 10% are receiving treatment – making it a fatal epidemic. Sitting by idly is difficult, but at the same time, you don’t want to send them off the deep end by saying or doing the wrong thing. But you do have the ability to get through to your loved one so they’ll seek treatment. An intervention is your best bet for anyone in this situation.
1. Choose an Intervention Specialist
People suffering from addiction rarely seek help on their own. And even more seldom do they kick the habit by themselves without any help support. That’s where your intervention team and an intervention professional comes into play.
An intervention professional is someone who mediates and guides the intervention. They can offer support, and help to find a suitable treatment center.
If you really want to help your loved one – find a way to get an intervention specialist. You’ll have a better outcome and they’ll have a better chance at recovery.
2. Determine Who’ll Be Present
It’s imperative to ensure you have the right family intervention team so that the intervention goes as smoothly as possible.
You don’t want anyone present who isn’t able to communicate positively. And anyone who’ll be angry or place blame shouldn’t attend.
Who Could Come to the Intervention?
Spouses
Grown children
Mothers and fathers
Close friends
It should solely be people who genuinely care about the individual.
3. Prepare What Each Person Will Say
You’ll want to have a letter ready to go for the family intervention for each person attending. This is key to the whole operation.
There should be an order to who speaks first, who speaks next, and so on.
What Types of Things Should You Include?
Saying ”I love you”.
Empathize with how they are feeling
”I’m worried”, or ”I’m concerned”.
Let them know they can do this
Let them know you’re here for them
Ultimately, it’s up to you what you say. It’ll vary depending on if you’re a child of an addict, a spouse, a friend, or a parent. The important thing here is to be gentle, but also stick to whatever boundaries or ultimatums you’ve set as a group. The types of things you never want to say during an intervention are ”why can’t you just quit”. Or anything negative along those lines.
4. Decide on a Venue, Time, and Date
Factoring in where the family intervention will take place may seem like a tiny detail – but it has more baring than you may realize.
It’s imperative that the addict is not under the influence during the intervention. You also should avoid any days or times you know will be especially challenging or stressful for the addict. When choosing a setting, it isn’t recommended to do it at a house.
A neutral, professional location is best.
5. Plan, Plan, Plan!
The planning stage is critical if you hope to have a successful family intervention. You only have one shot at this, so you want it to go off without a hitch.
That’s not to say that it’ll work, and your loved one will decide to go to treatment right away.
But there’s a much better chance of this if you plan it until you get it down pat.
Make an itinerary for the day, checklists, or whatever you need to plan it properly. The planning aspect holds an important role, so there aren’t any surprises.
6. Do a Practice Run
One thing that can sway addicts during family interventions is hearing from their loved ones. What you say in your letter is vital to the entire intervention. So first you’ll want to ensure your letter is written and you have a general sense of what you’re saying.
Emotions will be flying high, so you’re not expected to memorize it. But it’s great to practice ahead of time. The group will need to get together prior to the intervention to do a complete practice run. You can pretend someone in the group is the loved one, if that helps.
Organization will be essential here, down to whose sitting where and what time your loved one will arrive.
7.Be Prepared for Anything
If you go into the family intervention assuming it will be all sunshine, roses, and hugs – you may find yourself hugely disappointed. There’s a chance it will result in crying and then many hugs. But it’s more likely to be a process to get to that point.
It’s imperative to adjust your expectations. Your loved one may be relieved immediately and leap into a treatment plan right away. But it’s more likely that you’ll meet some resistance. This is okay – again, it’s a process and may take several hours. Sometimes it’s not until that final letter is read by a loved one that they’re fully ready to accept help.
8. Family Intervention Time
People suffering from addictions are much more likely to seek treatment if they’re confronted. This is why interventions can have such high success rates.
Most of the time they’re living in denial, so this can help them become self-aware. And becoming self-aware is the first step in recovery.
When it’s intervention day, make sure everything is in order early.
It’s important to remain calm and bear good body language during the intervention.
Follow in order to the intervention, like you planned, and like you rehearsed previously.
What Order Should You Follow for the Intervention?
Get your loved one to the meeting spot
Take turns reading your letters to them
Tell them about the treatment options
Kindly and gently ask them if they will go to treatment
Frequently Ask Questions:
• Who should be present at a family intervention?
Only individuals who can communicate positively and genuinely care about the person should be present. This includes spouses, grown children, parents, and close friends.
• What should be included in the letters read during an intervention?
The letters should express love and concern. You should empathize with their feelings, state that you are worried, and let them know you are there for them and believe they can recover.
• Where is the best place to hold an intervention?
It is not recommended to hold an intervention at a house. A neutral, professional location is the best setting.
• When is the best time for an intervention?
The individual should not be under the influence during the intervention. You should also avoid any days or times that you know will be especially stressful for them.
• What is the first step to take on the day of the intervention?
The first step is to get your loved one to the meeting spot. From there, the team will take turns reading their letters, and then you will discuss treatment options.
If you're ready to take the next step and plan a successful intervention, we are here to help. At Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center, we understand how overwhelming this process can be, and we are committed to guiding you and your loved one toward healing. Our team of specialists is prepared to walk alongside you, offering the expert support and care needed to navigate this difficult journey. We share in your goal of helping your loved one find their way to recovery, and we are dedicated to providing the resources and compassionate treatment they deserve. Contact us today at (435) 222-5225—together, we can create a path forward.
 |  |  |
About The Author
Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.
Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
