Intervention Modalities 

Indirect intervention still involves the help of a certified interventionist, but they are not in the room, and the help typically is provided remotely over the phone.  The family will contact Newman Interventions, and we can provide extensive resources to help them through the intervention process.  For example, the family can read the Art of the Intervention Guide, or the 25 Tips for a Successful Intervention, along with an intervention course.  An indirect intervention can be successful, and the family can choose to end the intervention with an ultimatum if the addict is unwilling to get help.  Both indirect and direct intervention is considered a systematic family model of intervention.  This focusses on treating the entire family on why they have to change and continuing to work with them after the intervention.  This is why working with a professional intervention group is important for the family.     

Forcible Drug and Alcohol Intervention

This is an intervention process that is always carried out with the help of a professional interventionist.  This is a situation where everyone knows, even the interventionist that the addicted person will refuse treatment and even attempt to escape the intervention.  It is still considered a formal intervention, but the family and the interventionist are forcing the addict to commit to treatment against their will.  These types of interventions always result in the consequences being laid out in front of the addicted person.  When they say no, this is what will happen and the family is prepared to follow through with the consequences and stick with it. 

It is important to understand that interventions such as these can be successful, and your loved one can completely turn around.  The emotional impact of having everyone in the room who loves them and people there who they respect is often enough to have a light come one within the addict.  They may still fight, refuse, and say no, but will go with the interventionist knowing they have not other options.  When they choose to go with the interventionist to treatment, they are making a rational decision.  Part of them at that time realized what their addiction is doing to them and the people around them.  Direct forcible intervention for a family member does work with the help of a professional interventionist. 

Crisis Intervention

A crisis intervention happens when the addicted person has suffered an overdose, psychotic break, is in jail, facing legal problems, is homeless, or has lost everything financially.  Crisis intervention should always be done with the help of a professional interventionist, because of the training and resources they have to guide the family through the ordeal.  Financial troubles are often always the first thing that is noticed.  A mother or father who is addicted to drugs or alcohol has blown through all the savings, bank accounts, and credit cards leaving the family with no money to get by.  This is considered a crisis intervention, where the intervention must happen immediately and without delay, otherwise the family will become homeless.

Legal issues are also quite common, such as the addicted person ending up jail, or on the verge of facing significant jail time because of their addiction.  An intervention, in this case, will be done through the courts, and the interventionist can help set up a lawyer or work with the existing one the addicted person may have.  Most states throughout the nation have drug courts for this specific reason to help offenders receive treatment instead of jail time.  Drug overdose is always a crisis intervention, because the addict may have ended up in the hospital.  This would involve the intervention being done in the hospital and the addicted person being escorted to treatment from the hospital.  Any type of crisis situation that requires immediate intervention should be organized right away. 

Johnson Model of Intervention

The Johnson Model is widely recognized and is a direct form of intervention that focusses on getting the addict into treatment through direct confrontation, tough love, and establishing boundaries.  This model of intervention forces the addict to acknowledge his or her behavior and the consequences or impact of their addiction.  This is the surprise intervention, which can be done with or without a professional interventionist.  Typically, it is the primary caregiver or someone the addict looks up to who is running the intervention.  The people taking part in the intervention tell the addict how their addiction has impacted their lives.  This form of intervention is successful with a professional interventionist present to help mediate.  The Johnson Model is also successful when there is more than one person involved, especially those who will have the greatest impact on the addict.