If you have a friend or family member who may need an intervention, there are some important things you should know before you begin the process.

First, an intervention should only be orchestrated by a trained professional. In order to be sure that everything runs smoothly and to ensure the greatest chances for success, you need to find someone who is an expert at conducting interventions. Do not assume that all therapists are experienced at this type of activity because they are not. Because of this, it is very important that you do your homework before choosing a professional.

As you search for a qualified professional to help you with an intervention, do not be afraid to ask questions. Conducting your own independent research is the best way to determine whether someone is the best candidate to help you and your loved one through such a difficult time.

Intervention specialists (or counselors) are trained specifically for these types of activities. If you are having trouble finding qualified individuals, you can consult the National Intervention Referrals network at http://www.nationalinterventionreferral.org. Remember that there are intervention specialists who have been trained in a wide variety of areas, so you should be able to find someone who has training and experience in the area in which your friend or loved one needs help.

As you search for an intervention specialist, be wary of anyone who tells you that there is an exact formula for talking to addicted individuals and persuading them to participate in an intervention. There is no single method that is effective for everyone, and a qualified specialist will know this and give you a fairly clear idea of what to expect. To conduct an intervention that will be successful, the professional that you choose will create a strategy that is the most appropriate for the situation.

There are actually a number of different aspects to conducting an intervention. It is much more than simply surprising someone with a one-time “ambush” in an attempt to make him or her suddenly realize what has been going wrong. In many instances, media hype tends to portray interventions in this way, so it is understandable that many people would have this misconception about the entire process.

Overall, having a trained professional to help guide you and your family members through the intervention process is the safest, most effective way to ensure that your endeavors are met with success.

Review a list of licensed addiction intervention specialists