An Intervention is the act of entering a situation in order to change its course.
The Recovery in Reality Intervention Team were trained in London and have worked closely with Paul Gallant MC, LPC who has a long established Intervention Practice in Connecticut, USA. Working with Paul with his wealth of experience has enabled us to successfully help many families in a very difficult time in their lives.
Individuals suffering with addiction are prone to serious denial about the harmful effects of their behaviour on themselves and others. Often efforts to reason with these people and convince them to stop acting out and get help are met with denial, defensiveness, justification or minimisation.
Talking to alcoholics and addicts in a rational manner is often useless or even counterproductive. In other cases the alcoholic or addict may agree with observation that his behaviour is harmful to himself and others. He may agree with the need for change and in some cases even make an attempt to relinquish or moderate his drinking or using. A relapse and repetition of the same cycle, sometimes dozens of times often follows this. Such people manifest remorse, guilt and a determination to “do better next time” but the behaviour recurs despite their apparent insight and desire to behave differently.
Those of us around such alcoholics and addicts become frustrated, angry and often feel hopeless. We know they need help yet are not sure how to act when they continue to insist they are “just fine”. We want to believe that the problem will go away or that it is just a phase. The alcoholic or addict possesses exceptional skills in deflecting the focus, pointing out our shortcomings, dragging up old conflicts or simply walking out in a huff. After being confronted many will engage in still more acting out behaviour to self medicate the strong feelings of shame, hurt and resentment.
The turmoil caused by addiction is considerable – and it gets worse over time. Addiction causes people who are not naturally that way to become progressively more self-centred, inconsiderate, dishonest and defensive. They may experience unpredictable mood swings, outbursts of emotional and sometimes physical violence. Their behaviour can cause a great deal of destruction not only in their lives but also in the lives of others. Those who care about them often do not know what to do but to stand helplessly by and watch them self-destruct. We wait and pray for this person to “hit bottom”, before their out of control behaviour leads to tragedy.
The process of Intervention gives hope to those who care about the alcoholic/addict – a process by which they can express their concern in a structured and focused format. A well-organised and properly conducted intervention has been the first step in many alcoholics and addicts finally realising recovery.
An Intervention consists of a group of close friends and family members who present their observations and concerns in a non-judgmental manner. This is done with the guidance of an Interventionist, in a controlled, objective and systematic fashion. This approach can overcome the denial and delusion of the alcoholic/addict and presents a unified front of support and love.
Treatment for the alcoholic/addict is sometimes dangerously delayed because of the mistaken belief that an individual must “hit bottom” or “treatment will work only if the person wants it”. The purpose of the intervention is to break through the alcoholic’s powerful denial and defence system – and face him with the reality of his situation. The collective impact of the facts coupled with the strong emotions of people who care for him can temporarily silence the denial and connect with the person’s soul.
A properly conducted intervention is confrontational but also deeply caring and supportive. Each participant first affirms the worth of the alcoholic/addict and their positive feelings for him, which are the only reason they have agreed to participate in this painful process. The goal of the intervention is to get the alcoholic/addict into treatment immediately. Experience shows that promises of reform, sincere and often tearful, seldom hold up.
Many times the family will receive a call or letter after a week of treatment thanking them for doing the intervention – as one alcoholic said “Thanks for shutting down the merry-go-round, I didn’t know how to get off.”
If you feel we could help to intervene in the spiral of addiction affecting somebody close to you or a work colleague please contact the Recovery in Reality Team. We are here to help.
The Recovery in Reality Intervention Team were trained in London and have worked closely with Paul Gallant MC, LPC who has a long established Intervention Practice in Connecticut, USA. Working with Paul with his wealth of experience has enabled us to successfully help many families in a very difficult time in their lives.
Individuals suffering with addiction are prone to serious denial about the harmful effects of their behaviour on themselves and others. Often efforts to reason with these people and convince them to stop acting out and get help are met with denial, defensiveness, justification or minimisation.
Talking to alcoholics and addicts in a rational manner is often useless or even counterproductive. In other cases the alcoholic or addict may agree with observation that his behaviour is harmful to himself and others. He may agree with the need for change and in some cases even make an attempt to relinquish or moderate his drinking or using. A relapse and repetition of the same cycle, sometimes dozens of times often follows this. Such people manifest remorse, guilt and a determination to “do better next time” but the behaviour recurs despite their apparent insight and desire to behave differently.
Those of us around such alcoholics and addicts become frustrated, angry and often feel hopeless. We know they need help yet are not sure how to act when they continue to insist they are “just fine”. We want to believe that the problem will go away or that it is just a phase. The alcoholic or addict possesses exceptional skills in deflecting the focus, pointing out our shortcomings, dragging up old conflicts or simply walking out in a huff. After being confronted many will engage in still more acting out behaviour to self medicate the strong feelings of shame, hurt and resentment.
The turmoil caused by addiction is considerable – and it gets worse over time. Addiction causes people who are not naturally that way to become progressively more self-
The process of Intervention gives hope to those who care about the alcoholic/addict – a process by which they can express their concern in a structured and focused format. A well-
An Intervention consists of a group of close friends and family members who present their observations and concerns in a non-
Treatment for the alcoholic/addict is sometimes dangerously delayed because of the mistaken belief that an individual must “hit bottom” or “treatment will work only if the person wants it”. The purpose of the intervention is to break through the alcoholic’s powerful denial and defence system – and face him with the reality of his situation. The collective impact of the facts coupled with the strong emotions of people who care for him can temporarily silence the denial and connect with the person’s soul.
A properly conducted intervention is confrontational but also deeply caring and supportive. Each participant first affirms the worth of the alcoholic/addict and their positive feelings for him, which are the only reason they have agreed to participate in this painful process. The goal of the intervention is to get the alcoholic/addict into treatment immediately. Experience shows that promises of reform, sincere and often tearful, seldom hold up.
Many times the family will receive a call or letter after a week of treatment thanking them for doing the intervention – as one alcoholic said “Thanks for shutting down the merry-
If you feel we could help to intervene in the spiral of addiction affecting somebody close to you or a work colleague please
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