Intervention Basics

How to Be Sure Someone Needs an Intervention

If you think that a friend or family member may have a serious problem that could be helped through the process of intervention, there are a few things you should find out before making this decision.

To begin, you need to find out exactly what the problem is that your friend or family member is experiencing. Is it drug or alcohol related? Is it depression or some other type of emotional distress? In some situations, people may exhibit signs or symptoms of depression simply because they are going through a particularly stressful or difficult time. In other words, just because someone seems depressed for a day or two it does not necessarily mean that he or she is clinically depressed.

Try not to make snap judgments when it comes to determining what may be wrong with another person. If you know that someone has a drug or alcohol problem and other types of treatment have not helped, then you should be able to feel comfortable making the decision to pursue an intervention. Keep in mind, however, that interventions should not be the first step in seeking treatment for troubled individuals. Interventions are typically only used as a last resort for family members who feel that they have tried every other possible resource to help someone who has a drug or alcohol problem, or who may be suffering from depression.

Before taking any type of action, talk to your friend or family member so that you can find out what is going on with that individual. The person may already be in therapy, or may be exploring other avenues for dealing with the problem at hand. If the person is already finding ways to deal with the addiction or emotional difficulties, then you will not need to pursue the possibility of an intervention.

Another thing you can do when trying to determine whether someone needs an intervention is to talk with that person’s other family members and friends. Ask these people if they believe that the individual in question needs an intervention. If they are just as concerned as you are about this person, then an intervention may very well be warranted.

Finally, if you and other family members decide that an intervention is necessary, you should contact a professional who specializes in these types of activities. It is important to keep in mind that all therapists are not trained in conducting interventions, so you will need to search for someone who is fully qualified to conduct the intervention. Once you have talked to a therapist about your friend or family member’s problem, you will have a much better idea regarding what type of action should be taken.

Remember that interventions should never be carried out without the guidance of a trained professional, and they should not be undertaken lightly. Consult with a qualified therapist to ensure that intervention is the best course of action for your friend or family member to ensure that the individual receives the most appropriate type of treatment.