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. My Daughter Danielle was a honor student with a bright nursing career ahead of her. She is also a cancer survivor. She is addicted to pills and heroin and meth. We have tried rehabs. Please help us. She is 26yrs old bright and beautiful….suffering…..

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  2. Hye my name is Shy I have a aunt that has been on drugs since 2011 when my grandmother died….she has been using different types of drugs shes lost all her weight and doesn’t look good….. Please she needs help or I won’t have my aunt anymore Please help

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  3. My name is Ashley. My father has been an alcoholic since 14 years old. He’s almost dies 2 times due to drinking heavy liquor. His favorite vodka. It has destroyed my family’s life. From physical abuse to mental abuse to my brothers And my mother. At the age of 10 he threw my mother down 12 flight of stairs while holding there new born baby. He was in an affair and didn’t care what so ever. The last straw came to us moving to Texas. My mom loved father and I remember her saying please ill stay if you end the affair and stop your drinking. He chose the alcohol and the affair. Over his children and his wife. He lives in Vegas with his mother. He has lived there since then he is now 51 years old. His brother also an alcoholic who lives with his mother. They abuse her while she breaks her back for them. I love my dad so much and it’s sad to think im preparing for his death. He needs help. If he doesn’t he will die. My father is loving when he isn’t drunk or tipsy but he needs the alcohol to function. It breaks my heart knowing he has no desire to meet his grandchild me or his son. Because he chooses the alcohol. My father’s name is Chris campbell. He is in dire need of help and so does my grandmother as she enables her children. My dad needs help I hope yall can help him get a life he hasn’t seen before. Please help my Dad

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  4. Please Help!
    My mother, who is 73 years old, is addicted to Oxycodone.
    She doesn’t attend family functions, skips all of her doctors appts (except for pain mgt), doesn’t call her kids or grandkids, and lies in bed all day.
    She is extremely unhealthy being diabetic and has heart disease.
    Because of her addiction and health status, my parents are in the process of filing for divorce. This is not the life to live at 73 nor the life that her 3 children want for her.
    Please Help!

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  5. My son Joshua who is 33 yrs old has a meth addiction. Our family has all tried to help him, he went from being a Truck driver having his own life, to now a convicted felon with multiple felonies and he is killing him self slowly he is 6,1 and weighs 135 lbs, I am his mother and he has been addicted to meth for 7+ years, I’m afraid if he doesn’t get an intervention he won’t make it to 34, he need inpatient care now. Please help me and my family save my son life.

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  6. My brother Steve is 59 years old and has been an alcoholic since he was in his early teens. He is currently living in a dilapidated shed in Michigan and winter is coming. He has been homeless over and over again throughout his life. Steve has a heart of gold and would never take from loved ones to support his habit. My father was an abusive alcoholic and this is where it started for Steve. He had never had any real professional help. I believe he is still savable and definitely worth it. Please consider helping this older man find life for maybe the first time. My name is Robin and thank you for the wonderful work you do.

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  7. i’m here to ask for help with what may be a lost cause. my former partner and friend (chaotic story) J. is forty years old and an advanced alcoholic. he doesn’t want to stop, or can’t stop. i can’t help but most of my friends are dead and i can”t take another one. evidently he started drinking when sick with lyme disease, which may not have cleared. he has strange neurological symptoms. he comes from pretty serious money and his parents would kill me for writing in, but i wonder if his vanity would make him a willing and possibly eager participant. i also know he’s miserable, does nothing but pound vodka, pass out (often with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth which is how he set our couch on fire the day after i moved out) and vomit, and i’m scared.i think there’s a fair amount that he isn’t saying about whatever is going on with him physically. i really don’t know. i don’t think he’ll ever get better. but what if he could? i’m also an addict and in a low residency program trying to finish school and this is the last year i’m eligible for financial aid so this is a terrible idea. i don’t know.

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  8. My name is Lois Miller, I have a son and daughter that’s addicted to Crack and PCP, they desperately need your help. Please tell me how I can get them into this intervention program. The only insurance they have is Medicaid and Medicare.
    If this program requires private pay can you please refer me to a program in Houston that can help us. Thank you, L. Miller 832) 746-6216.

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  9. I am begging for help. My son is addicted to crack cocaine more then 7 years. He may not survive this year…. He needs an intervention.

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