Direct Intervention

What is direct intervention? Intervention Definition in our words….direct intervention is the process wherein family members, fellow employees, friends, and loved ones, under the supervision of an interventionist, confront an individual about their addiction and destructive behavior that impacts them emotionally, mentally, and physically. The ultimate goal of the intervention is that the addicted individual come to grips with their problems and seeks out help for it by entering a treatment and recovery facility.

The history of direct intervention

Vernon Johnson, an Episcopalian priest and recovering alcoholic, is considered to be the father of modern direct 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 direct intervention:
  • Addictions to pornography
  • Computer and/or video game addictions
  • Gambling addictions
  • Behavioral disorders
Johnson’s core beliefs about direct 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 direct 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.

Understanding the individual

Realize that the addicted individual is dealing with denial issues and the delusion that they can stop being addicted whenever they choose. This creates the illusion of being able to heal themselves when in reality, they are incapable of doing so.

Here Are Some Questions That Need To Be Answered

  1. What needs to be done before moving forward with an intervention?
  2. When is the right time?
  3. What are the risks?
  4. How many intervention participants should there be?
  5. How should the individual be approached? What if they refuse?
  6. What if the person walks out when he or she sees the group?
  7. What if he or she will not accept treatment?
  8. if he or she does accept treatment? What happens then?
  9. The intervention is described as a process. When does the process conclude?
  10. Are interventions with teens, women, and men different?

Now is the Time For direct intervention

Intervention will help the person to accept both the reality of his or her condition as well as the help needed to manage it. The family learns how to manage its recovery and growth through the Intervention process. Now is the time to intervene before the addiction completely destroys the one you love and care for. Please do not wait to contact us about our direct intervention. We are professional intervention specialist with a proven history of success. We Can Help!

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 direct 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.