Intervention Checklist

The checklist is designed to be used in conjunction with the book "Love First: A New Approach to Intervention for alcoholism and drug addiction." Don’t plan an intervention using the checklist alone.

Bring together three to eight people who are important to the alcoholic and are willing to learn how to help.
Set up a planning meeting to discuss the intervention.
Choose a detail person.
Choose a team chairperson.
Do not alert the alcoholic to the intervention plans.
List ways you’ve tried to help that may have enabled the addiction.
Put in writing all the negative consequences caused by the addiction.
Write a one- to two-page letter to the alcoholic, following the directions in the book "Love First."
Read your letters aloud, editing out anger, blame, and judgment.
Determine bottom lines, and write them down on a separate page.
Test each other’s willingness to follow through with the bottom lines.
Identify financial resources for covering treatment costs.
Evaluate treatment centers using the evaluation questions.
Set a date, time and place for the rehearsal and the intervention.
Choose a treatment center, answer its pre-intake questions, and make an appointment for admission.
Make airline reservations if the treatment center is out-of-state.
Create a plan to bring the alcoholic to the intervention.
Identify objections the alcoholic may use to avoid or postpone treatment, then formulate your answers.
Pack a suitcase using the guidelines provided by the treatment staff.
Determine who should drive the alcoholic to treatment.
Compile a list of all medications the alcoholic is presently using.
Rehearse the intervention.
Decide where each person will sit, including the alcoholic.
Discuss the order in which you’ll read your letters.
Find a discreet place to park your cars.
Script the chairman’s introduction and closing statement.
Review objections and answers.
Plan to arrive at the intervention location 30 minutes before the alcoholic is expected to be there.
If the intervention is taking place at the alcoholic’s home, arrive as a group.
After the intervention, call the admissions staff and let them know whether or not the alcoholic has agreed to treatment.
Collect all letters and send them to the alcoholic’s counselor.
Sign up for the Family Program.
Locate an Al-Anon or Family Anonymous meeting near your home or office.

PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO A GOOD INTERVENTION