What Is an Intervention?

Do you have a loved one who is addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or smoking? An intervention program could help your loved one escape the grips of denial, rationalization, and projection.

An intervention is an orchestrated attempt by family and friends to get a family member, friend, or loved one to seek help for an addiction or other similar problems. When one has tried everything possible to inspire or convince their loved one that they need help, but they will not admit into a program, an addiction intervention program is a successful tool in helping you help your loved one escape from the grips of denial, rationalization and projection.

By approaching them from a place of love and compassion, with help facilitated by a addiction interventionist, you will be helping them understand the problem that they have and that a treatment program is needed. Using a professional interventionist will not only ensure that you have taken the appropriate approach, but will also give you peace of mind knowing that you have expressed your love and concern in a professional, impacting, and very effective manner.

Addiction Intervention Process

An intervention is a very strategic process that must be facilitated and properly executed by an addiction intervention specialist to ensure desired results. In order to effectively perform a substance intervention, an intervention team will be established and then thoroughly prepared with the information required for attaining success. All parties involved will understand the purpose, process and techniques of the intervention.


  • Alcohol and Substance Abuse: A Deadly DuoAlcohol and substance abuse is a dangerous combination. You need professional help in order to treat both addictions.
  • User, Abuser, and Dependent: What's the Difference?User, abuser, and dependent. You've heard these words before in the context of alcohol addiction, drug addiction, or gambling addiction. What are their differences?
  • Addiction DefinitionAddiction is also classified as a progressive disease. This means that the habit will only intensify as time goes on if nothing or nobody intervenes with the addiction.
  • Intervention FAQsHere are some of the most common questions that families often ask about an intervention, whether for drug, alcohol, or substance addiction.

563 thoughts on “What Is an Intervention?”

  1. I am not addicted at the moment. But I would give almost anything to get pain-killers and/or anti-anxiety meds. I was sexually assaulted by my father when I was 13-15 years old. I am 66 now. I had no one to tell. Eventually I told my 4 brothers and sisters – partly because I wanted to know if any of them had been assaulted, and partly because I wanted support. I had some support by 2 of them, for about two months. That’s it. Now, both of my parents are deceased. The sexual assault memories never go away. I really, really, really want drugs to get rid of the pain. I don’t/can’t drink alcohol because I can’t stand the taste of it–and I’ve tried them all. Yuk. I hate myself and my life. Since I am 66, maybe I will die soon; I think dying is more likely to happen than for me to get drugs. That’s all. Thanks.

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  2. I was raised by my grandmother, my youngest brother is also being raised by her. I have two other younger brother and a younger sister who are being raised by wonderful adoptive parents. My biological mother has been doing drugs for as long as I’ve lived as far as I’m concerned. I will be 23 in May. She’s also a heavy alcoholic as well. Her choice drug is heroin, but as she says now that she only does crack because it’s not as addictive to her as the heroin. She needs help, and I’m afraid that she’s too far gone and it makes me so sad for her. I don’t know how to help her anymore but my children won’t have grandparents from my side. My heart hurts for her, what can I do? She’s agreed to go to rehab but she’s struggling with actually going and I don’t have the money to put her into rehab and according to her government insurance won’t insure her. What can I do to look into programs that will help fund her getting help? How can I convince her to try harder so one day she can be around us? So we can trust her?

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  3. My daughter is going to be 30 this year.. she is addicted to drugs. She seems like she can’t say no to everything. Not picky. She has 3 children and the baby is 8 months. She has him one night then calls and ask me to get him.. the other 2 are both with dads… the 2 yr old girls father is also one drugs and refuses to let me have her or see her.. my daughter is in trouble with the law… I NEED help please. I think my daughter is bi polar and has post pardon…. she steals and goes thru my things. I NEED her to be a great mommy and my best friend. Please help 🙏

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  4. Wow I can’t believe I am doing this although I would never tell it to her face my sister Cristina I love her. I want her to get help for she is addicted to a number of drugs but primarily opiates and meth.
    My family has done everything humanly possible to try and get her help but she continues to abuse her last lifeline which is my mother. I love my mom with all my heart and I continue to tell her that she is lossed cause and she needs to let her go. My sister in reality has not hit rock bottom, although we all Tell my mom to not help her in any way or form but my grandma also continues to enable her By letting her stay at her house even though she has stolen from all of us and is a compulsive liar. Please if you could reach out to me I need help my name is Steven Hernandez I need this intervention to happen. I know there are millions of people out there who are suffering and families who are suffering out there just like ours. Please my sister needs professional help she’s addicted to drugs and attention in my opinion she has caused so much suffering and pain in our family we need help please.

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  5. My dad needs help. He is addicted to meth and pot. His anger gets out of control and he breaks things and throws things. Help us please!!

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  6. Hey , I’m 24 im an Alcoholic I need help to stop. I been looking at your interventions shows and I feel I could use your help. I just lost my job due to alcohol please help me !

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  7. My 39 yr old aunt has been off drugs for the past i don’t know how many years. She acts absolutely crazy, she refuses help and threatens the ones who love her. She currently snorts norco Everyday & is on other drugs also, she likes to leave and not tell any of us where she’s going or where she is at. She is always talking about harming herself, she drives on the drugs.. It’s terrible we have SO MANY people who care for her and just want to see her get help. We have all cried to her in attempt to express our emotions but she thinks we are just all against her. We need your help please!!

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  8. my soon to be brother in law is addicted to meth has been for years he has 4 children his mother is in bad health hes sleeping in his car PLEASE HELP !!!!!

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