Q: What is the goal of an intervention? 
A: The traditional goal of a drug addiction intervention has been to provide solutions to individuals in crisis from addiction. The modern goal of drug addiction intervention often termed the “systemic” model, takes a broader view of crisis caused by addiction and attempts to provide solutions not only for the identified individual suffering from alcohol and drug dependence but for the family or system surrounding the individual as well. At PBI we believe that addiction is a family disease and that our first responsibility is to help those that are willing to get help – typically the family. While making help available to the identified individual is our objective, it is not our only objective and it is not the way we define success. We define success not only by the number of individuals in the midst of alcohol and drug dependence that enter treatment but, more importantly, by how many families we are able to move out of crisis.

Q: I have someone in my life that is in crisis. How do I know if an intervention is appropriate?
A: A drug addiction intervention is appropriate if you as the friend/family/co-worker can no longer in good conscience sit by and watch the situation deteriorate. When you have decided that you have to do something to help arrest or alter the situation then a drug addiction intervention is appropriate.

Q: I’m not sure if this person is drinking, using drugs or just going crazy. I don’t know any details I just know that things are not even close to normal anymore and are moving towards frightening and unsafe. Do I need all the facts before I confront someone?
A: No. You only need legitimate concern for the individual's welfare or for that of the people he or she comes in contact with who may be suffering or in danger due to the their crisis.

Q: If I have an intervention I’m scared that it might make the situation worse. What if they never speak to me again?
A: At PBI we recommend that the drug addiction intervention is a gentle, loving, factual, conversational process. It is not a showdown or a test of wills. The process is designed specifically to improve the lives, perceptions, and choices of all involved. Never speaking to someone again because they show up in your life to let you know that they love you, they see you struggling and that help is available is not a reasonable response.

Q: Not everyone surrounding the identified individual is on board with the idea of an intervention. What should we do?
A: Encourage them to talk to PBI. A great deal of fear is still extant today around the idea of what people think happens at a drug addiction intervention different then what actually takes place. If they still feel that being part of the team is not for them we will honor that choice and move ahead.

Q: I feel as if I am betraying the person I am trying to help by participating in an intervention. Wouldn’t it be better if I didn’t join the team so that they will feel as if they still have someone they can trust?
A: No. This comes up as the most common fear among drug addiction intervention participants. The fear is that they are playing the “Judas card” and betraying the trust of their family member or friend. The reality is that we are coming together as a team to make help available to someone we know who is struggling. If we take ourselves away from the team and set up separate “trust” situations we debilitate the efforts of the group to bring all of the secrets to light, to disrupt the “conspiracy of silence.” By bringing secrets out in the open we disabuse them of their power. By talking about what’s going on we break the “conspiracy of silence” – the greatest form of enabling.

Q: How long is the entire intervention process? How long is the actual intervention?
A: The process, from initial inquiry to drug addiction intervention meeting can be as long as several weeks to as short as the next day. In certain crisis situations it is imperative to take immediate action to prevent the identified individual from harming himself or others. When possible more planning is always appropriate. The most important thing to remember is that analysis equals paralysis, which is why the best thing to do in crisis is to get out of the problem and into the solution. Our clients typically feel relief and hope from the moment they book our services and get into action. The quicker they get this stage behind them the sooner they begin the healing process themselves. The actual drug addiction intervention usually lasts no longer than an hour. All the hard work of preparation by the team, the staff at PBI, and the interventionist is done in advance.

Q: Who should be part of an intervention team?
A: Family, friends, spiritual advisors, co-workers, or supervisors are all appropriate. The interventionist will work with you to build a well-rounded and effectual team.

Q: Everyone seems to think that maybe if we just talk to him he’ll go. Can we hope to have any success if we pull their family and friends together and have a more informal intervention?
A: Our experience is that informal family or co-worker interventions often do more to alienate the identified individual and complicate the situation when a real drug addiction intervention is called for later on. A professionally facilitated process guided by an experienced interventionist can save years of concern, expense, and frustration.

Q: I think an intervention might be appropriate and I would like to talk to someone about my situation. What do I do next?
A: Call PBI at 800-433-5098 and speak confidentially with one of our crisis consultants.

Intervention:  The drug addiction intervention usually takes about one to one-and-a-half hours. An intervention is a structured, solution-focused process that consist of a group of close friends, family members, co-workers, colleagues, spiritual advisors, etc., who come together in a caring and non-judgmental manner to present their observations and concerns regarding an addict’s behavior.

Treatment admissions
If the individual accepts help, he or she is immediately escorted to the appropriate treatment outlet. Your interventionist will work with the treatment staff in regards to the critical information gained during the drug addiction intervention process so that treatment staff can get a jump-start on the assessment and treatment planning process.

Post-intervention consultation
After the drug addiction intervention, PBI counselors will be available for unlimited, free consultations, whether or not the individual chooses to accept help for his or her problem. We also assist in helping you start your own path of recovery and healing.

Post-treatment services
Support immediately following treatment significantly increases the probability of abstinence and aids in the major transition from treatment to independent, sober living. The goal of our re-entry program is to provide intense, individualized care during this critical transitional period so that your loved one can begin to develop a healthy, satisfying and productive life in sobriety. These highly individualized services are offered at additional cost.