Special Considerations

Ninty-five percent of the assumptions about family intervention are wrong. Intervention isn’t confrontation, ambush, or trickery. It isn’t deception. It isn’t a free for all or a brawl. Family intervention is a finely choreographed combination of love and honesty that cracks through an older adult’s denial while preserving her dignity. Intervention should not be done without proper education, planning, and preparation.

Some families begin by reading a book on addiction intervention. Others choose to use a professional from the start. Both will prepare your family to carry out an effective intervention.

A good intervention starts with good information. There are several books on the topic of intervention available at hazeldenbookplace.org. Reading a book is a good first step for families. Once everyone is properly informed, families can decide what course of action is best for them.

However, if the older adult's addiction has evolved into a life threatening crisis, immediately talk to a professional interventionist or an addiction counselor specializing in older adult issues.

Once your family is educated, either by reading a book or working with a professional, methodically follow all directions. This is not a time for short cuts. Interventions poorly planned are most likely to fail.

Here are a few steps to begin the process:

• Gather information about the older adults alcohol and/or drug use.
• Select your intervention team members.
• Complete the planning and training for the intervention.
• Set a date and time for the intervention.
• Determine financial resources for alcohol and drug treatment.
• Evaluate treatment centers.
• Choose a treatment program that best suits the older adult’s needs.
• Prepare for the possibility that the older adult may refuse treatment.

When an intervention is properly done, 85% of the older adults agree to go to treatment. Of the 15% that refuse treatment, most accept treatment at a later date. Remember, intervention requires planning and training. Intervention isn’t easy, so don’t be tempted to “wing it.”