Intervention Specialist

An intervention specialist is someone who has been trained to guide loved ones through the process of helping the addict to hear what those individuals who care about them has come to say, while assuring that the addicts concerns are addressed as well. The intervention specialist is hired to coordinate all of the specific aspects that are involved with a successful drug intervention process.

An intervention specialist is generally a substance abuse counselor that has received specialized training in relation to conducting a successful intervention process. The amount of training, experience, skill and supervision among individuals who conduct drug interventions may vary considerably, but a quality interventionist is much more than just a former addict that is skilled at talking a person into attending a drug rehab program.

A quality intervention specialist will be able to guide an addict's family and friends to a place where they can be effective at finally getting their loved one to accept professional drug treatment. When an addicts loved ones are meeting an interventionist for the first time, they should feel completely comfortable in conducting an informal interview with this treatment professional. Inquiring about how long that the intervention specialist has been conducting interventions, and asking questions about what this process entails, should only help to add to the loved ones sense of comfort and trust.

The initial meeting with the intervention specialist should include all persons that will be present during the intervention process. This may include family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, clergymen, or anyone else that has a deep concern for the addict. The actual number of persons that can be present may range from just a few loved ones to a dozen, or more. The important thing is that this concerned group of people is united in expressing their concern for the addict; a professional intervention specialist can guide these individuals by showing them how to express their concerns compassionately and firmly, but without judgment or anger. Other people who care about the addict may not be able to be physically present during the intervention, but may participate through submitting letters or statements that will be read.

During the initial meeting with the intervention specialist, the group will be educated about addiction and treatment and will learn why the addict cannot just stop abusing drugs on their own. At this point, loved ones should listen very carefully to the interventionist, so that they can truly understand why treatment could potentially be a life-saving process for their loved one that is struggling with a substance abuse problem; additionally, this is when loved ones should feel free to ask the intervention specialist any questions that they may have, or to express any fears or concerns that they may have about the intervention process.

At this point the intervention specialists will ask each individual will be asked about their relationship with the person that the intervention is being conducted for and about the specific circumstances that may have caused them to be concerned about the addict. The interventionist will then provide step-by-step written work for each individual to complete prior to the pre-intervention.

When should loved ones consult an intervention specialist?

Consulting an intervention specialist, can assist you and your loved ones in organizing an effective drug or alcohol intervention process. Having an interventionist present to stage and conduct a drug intervention process will always help to keep things on track, but it is highly advisable to have an intervention specialist on hand if you're loved one:

• Has a history of mental illness or emotional problems.
• Has a history of lashing out physically when they are confronted about their substance abuse problem.
• If an addict has exhibited suicidal behavior in the past or has recently talked about suicide
• When the person is taking several different types of mood-altering substances.
• Is in denial, and constantly justifies or minimizes his or her substance abuse problem.
• It is extremely important to consult an intervention specialist if you suspect that your loved one may react to the intervention process in a violent or self-destructive way.

Factors that should be considered when choosing a drug or alcohol intervention specialist:

• One of the most important aspects that should be considered in choosing a top notch intervention specialist is their history of professional experience in conducting successful drug interventions.
• An intervention specialist must consistently be able to offer a quick response time. In working with a person who has a drug or alcohol addiction problem, it is extremely important that an intervention specialist be immediately available, because many times the event that is the catalyst for the intervention will pass quickly; additionally, once the intervention has been successfully conducted, it is important for the interventionist to be able to provide immediate access to quality drug treatment. It is vital that an intervention specialist works closely with quality drug rehab programs throughout the United States so that they can refer an addict to the best possible drug treatment option available on a "moment's notice."
• A quality intervention specialist should be able to offer the highest ethical and privacy standard. Due to the continuing stigma that is associated with drug and alcohol addiction, as well as current Federal and State confidentiality laws, it is vital that an individual's privacy and confidentiality is respectfully observed. Only those loved ones that are a part of the actual intervention process should be privy to any type of pertinent information. Once a drug treatment center has been contacted by the intervention specialist, the confidentiality and privacy of the person is of the utmost importance. A quality intervention specialist will have proper release of information and consent forms readily available when they are in the process of securing treatment for the person that the intervention is being conducted for.

Intervention specialists will have to factor a variety of costs into their services, which will generally include:

• Travelling expenses, meals, transportation and lodging.
• Hourly fees as agreed upon, and cancellation fees, when applicable.

The cost of hiring an intervention specialist can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on a variety of different facts, but the associated costs will not always be a good predictor in determining how successful that the intervention will be. Interventionist specialists will generally agree upon the intervention costs, which will in turn be paid by the family or employer of the individual being intervened upon.

Quality intervention specialists should be able to provide immediate entry into a quality drug rehab center. Once an intervention takes place and the addict has agreed to attend a drug treatment program, it is of the utmost importance that the drug rehabilitation takes place as rapidly as possible. Often the interventionists will accompany the addict to the drug treatment facility. An appropriate drug rehab center should be notified prior to the intervention in order to make sure to make sure there is a bed that is available and to take care of the financial arrangements prior to admittance. An intervention specialist will have easy access to a wide variety of quality drug rehab programs that are located in various locations across the United States.

A quality intervention specialist should always conduct a brief follow up session with the individuals who participated in the intervention process:

What happens directly after an intervention can be equally as important as the process itself, because an intervention can be emotionally trying for all of the individuals who have been directly involved. A quality intervention specialist will offer a period of debriefing and closure time for the all of the individuals who have taken part in the intervention process.

The Keys to Ensuring a Successful Intervention

Keep in mind, your loved one's drug or alcohol addiction problem will usually involve a series of intense emotions. The process of organizing the intervention itself will many times cause anger and conflict even among individuals who are in agreement about a loved one needing professional drug rehab assistance. To ensure a successful intervention, family, friends or employers should consult a qualified intervention specialist that has conducted an adequate number of successful interventions. It's possible to conduct an intervention without a professional on hand, but having the expertise of an intervention specialist is highly preferable. A top notch interventionist has been trained to take the addicts personal circumstances into account, which will help in locating and securing the best possible type of drug treatment approach in order to be able to meet their unique individual needs.

A qualified intervention specialist fully understands what a successful intervention process entails:

• A qualified intervention specialist understands that it may take several weeks to fully coordinate an effective drug intervention plan, because getting all of the individuals to follow through can often be difficult.
• A qualified interventionist will consult with friends and family members in order to make sure that they choose a time in the day when the addicted person is least likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• A quality intervention specialist will help educate all of the participants of an intervention in regard to their loved one's addiction so they will have a good understanding about how serious the level of the substance abuse problem is.
• A quality intervention specialist will be sure that each person who is present at the intervention will have the same information about the loved one's substance abuse problem, so that everyone in the group will be able to present a united front.
• A quality intervention specialist knows exactly what specific details to cover in the pre- intervention process. The interventionist will help loved ones with seating arrangements and various other types of details in order to eliminate any type of chaos when it is time to stage the actual intervention.
• Intervention specialist can help the group to anticipate all of the addict's objections and help them to prepare calm, and rational responses for each reason the addicted person may try to give in order to be able to avoid treatment.
• An intervention specialist will be able to effectively coach each person that is a part of the drug intervention process in how to avoid confrontation with the addict; this is usually accomplished by the interventionists instructing participants on how to remain calm, even in the midst of an addict's angry or accusatory statements.
• A quality intervention specialist will be able to guide the intervention process so that everyone involved can stay on track, because derailing from the pre-intervention planning steps could potentially make the situation worse.

A trained intervention specialist knows that a successful intervention requires an immediate decision from the addict. Most interventionists realize that it is imperative for the addict to be moved directly from the intervention to the drug treatment center. A quality interventionist will not give the addict time to think about whether to accept treatment, even if he or she asks for a day or two to consider it. A quality intervention specialist understands that giving the addict more time to think about attending a drug rehab program will just allow them time to continue to deny that they have a substance abuse problem, to go into hiding, or to go on a dangerous drug binge. An intervention specialist will coach everyone that participates in the process in how to encourage the addict to go directly to the drug treatment center, upon their agreeing to get professional help.

Trained intervention specialist will always be in great demand, as denial is an ever-present partner with drug and alcohol addiction. What an intervention specialist does is to help to facilitate the intervention process by making the addict realize that he has no choice but to go to treatment, not only for his own well being, but for the sake of his loved ones. If the individual still refuses professional drug treatment, the interventionist will proceed to help the people who care about the addict to calmly but firmly communicate the consequences of this decision.