What makes an intervention successful

Though no two people will respond in the same way to a given intervention strategy, concerned family members should remember a few key things.

Most importantly, the focus of the intervention is your loved one. The goal is to get them help. The more you focus on the goal and the well-being of your loved one, the more effective your strategy will be. If you want guidance from trained, experienced therapists and addiction professionals, consider reaching out to Raymond Estefania and Ana Moreno. As any interventionist can tell you, a poorly executed intervention can have disastrous consequences.

However, when done properly with the assistance of a professional, an intervention can be the most powerful way to encourage your loved one to seek treatment. Preparation is vital when planning an intervention. Here are five strategies that will help you along the way….

Your friend or family member will likely feel extremely vulnerable, so they need to be surrounded by people they respect, trust and value. When choosing your intervention group, be sure you not only consider how the presence of the people involved could impact your loved one, but also how the volatility of the situation might affect everyone else.

You want to help your loved one understand how their condition is affecting them and their relationships, so they will come to understand why they need help. Professional interventionists will tell you that planning a successful intervention means avoiding using an accusatory tone or saying anything that is a personal attack. The 1 Curriculum and Assessment Partner for Educators. Looking for Online Solutions? See Our Products. Get bright ideas delivered to your inbox.

Monday, July 16, Leverage data Leveraging data is the key to understanding where your students are struggling in a particular objective, and it can be a regular and consistent way to determine their level understanding. Utilize assessments effectively Assessments typically serve two different purposes: to monitor student progress and to identify students who are at risk.

Maintain consistency with processes One of the most important aspects of any intervention program is consistency. Identify special populations and intervene early When you notice that a student is struggling, early intervention is critical, and in order to identify these students, you have to have the proper procedures, training, and assessments in place.

Emphasize professional development A well-prepared staff can be the key to a successful intervention program. Listen to the research Every successful intervention program has, at the core, scientific, evidence-based curriculum and instructional practices. Credit Recovery. Brita Hammer. Related Content:. Sometimes a direct, heart-to-heart conversation can start the road to recovery.

But when it comes to addiction, the person with the problem often struggles to see it and acknowledge it. A more focused approach is often needed. You may need to join forces with others and take action through a formal intervention. People who struggle with addiction are often in denial about their situation and unwilling to seek treatment.

They may not recognize the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others. An intervention presents your loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse, and it can motivate him or her to seek or accept help. An intervention is a carefully planned process that may be done by family and friends, in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor or directed by an intervention professional interventionist.

It sometimes involves a member of your loved one's faith or others who care about the person struggling with addiction. During the intervention, these people gather together to confront your loved one about the consequences of addiction and ask him or her to accept treatment.

The intervention:. A successful intervention must be planned carefully to work as intended. A poorly planned intervention can worsen the situation — your loved one may feel attacked and become isolated or more resistant to treatment. Consulting an addiction professional, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, a social worker, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or an interventionist, can help you organize an effective intervention.

An addiction professional will take into account your loved one's particular circumstances, suggest the best approach, and help guide you in what type of treatment and follow-up plan is likely to work best. Often interventions are conducted without an intervention professional, but having expert help may be preferable.

Sometimes the intervention occurs at the professional's office. It may be especially important to have the professional attend the actual intervention to help you stay on track if your loved one:. It's very important to consult an intervention professional if you suspect your loved one may react violently or self-destructively. An intervention team usually includes four to six people who are important in the life of your loved one — people he or she loves, likes, respects or depends on.

This may include, for example, a best friend, adult relatives or a member of your loved one's faith. Your intervention professional can help you determine appropriate members of your team. If you think it's important to have someone involved but worry that it may create a problem during the intervention, consider having that person write a short letter that someone else can read at the intervention.

An evaluation by an addiction professional helps determine the extent of the problem and identifies appropriate treatment options. Treatment options can vary in intensity and scope and occur in a variety of settings. Options can include brief early intervention, outpatient treatment or day treatment programs.

More severe problems may require admittance into a structured program, treatment facility or hospital. Treatment may include counseling, education, vocational services, family services and life skills training. For example, Mayo Clinic offers a variety of addiction services and has a comprehensive team approach to treating addiction. If a treatment program is necessary, it may help to initiate arrangements in advance. Do some research, keeping these points in mind:.