Function and purpose of crisis intervention
In the simplest of terms, the function and purpose for conducting
crisis intervention is the deliberate introduction of change to a person’s behavior, feelings, or thoughts. One of the first things you need to be aware of is the fact that strong emotions are typically attached to any type of crisis intervention, especially where alcohol and drug addiction is concerned. Interventions are characterized by several individuals that typically attend this type of event. These oftentimes include the following:
- the addicted individual
- the intervention professional or specialist
- immediate family members (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.)
- personal friends
- concerned fellow employees
How can a crisis intervention help?
An intervention specialist is usually a licensed psychologist or therapist who is trained in dealing with alcohol or drug addiction. They must possess the skills necessary in order to conduct and supervise the
crisis intervention in a disciplined and orderly fashion. At the same time, they have to rely on family members, friends, loved ones, and even fellow employees to assist them during the crisis intervention and are involved with the individual in question.
Watching a person self-destruct can be very painful
When your family member, friend, or loved one is dealing with an addiction issue, whether it is a substance addiction problem, or other type of addiction (eating, gambling, pornography, etc., it may be time to consult with a licensed professional at
crisis intervention in order to seek out help for the suffering individual. Watching a person self-destruct by virtue of these can be very painful, and no matter what you do, sometimes it just isn’t enough. If an intervention is required, you might want to consider talking with one of our staff members to find out the best course of action.
The history of crisis intervention
Vernon Johnson, an Episcopalian priest and recovering alcoholic, is considered to be the father of modern crisis intervention. Johnson wound up devoting his life to alcohol addiction treatment and recovery. From his work, further fine-tuning of the intervention process was done to accommodate a variety of addictions besides alcohol and drugs. Some other addictions that may require a crisis intervention:
- Addictions to pornography
- Computer and/or video game addictions
- Gambling addictions
- Behavioral disorders
Johnson’s core beliefs about crisis intervention was being able to reach out to the addicted individual before he or she hit rock bottom therefore preventing their lives from literally being torn to shreds. He began conducting what he called “interventions” in his church as of 1962. These were informal meetings which involved the addicted individual’s family, friends, and even their fellow co-workers.
They all met together in order to talk to the individual regarding their concerns about their alcohol (or drug) addiction, self-destructive behavior, and the damage it was causing the other individuals participating in the
crisis intervention, hence the birth of the terminology “family intervention.” As a result of being a priest and the fact that these interventions produced positive results, Johnson created a network which saw his program spread throughout the Midwest and eventually the entire US.
intervention specialists may have dealt with their own alcohol or drug addictions
Be aware of the fact that even the best intervention specialists may have dealt with their own alcohol or drug addictions. This enables the addicted individual to possibly relax and relate better with a person who has suffered just like they have. Additionally, conducting the crisis intervention is just the start of the process because you have to convince the individual that they must admit having a problem and then seek out a treatment and recovery program to cure them of their addiction.
The importance of crisis intervention
It is important to realize that the function, purpose, and ultimate goal of
crisis intervention is to get the addicted individual to realize that they are not only destroying themselves, but the people around them as well. However, admitting to having a problem is only the first step. They also need to seek out a treatment and recovery center that offers a program which will rid them of their addictions so that they remain substance-free for life.
