Well, the short answer is not necessarily. In fact, if you are living with or know a friend or family member who is suffering from addiction, you've probably already intervened several times before and not even known it. Anytime you have stepped in and asked the addict to stop their addiction disorder, you have technically intervened. The problem, however, lies with the results.



What happened with the addict? Did they stop? Did you offer a solution? Was there sufficient support from family and friends? These, and many more questions, need to be asked and resolved following an informal alcohol intervention approach.

What about the case where family/friends have not made any realistic efforts to get help for the addict or where the family/friends have unsuccessfully tried an informal approach, but would like a more structured and informed attempt.

Does the family need to hire an intervention specialist? Again, the answer is not necessarily. There are some great intervention books out there designed to help families through the intervention process. Perhaps the best is from the pioneer of interventions, Vernon Johnson entitled, appropriately, Intervention. Another favorite of mine is Love First, by Jeff and Debra Jay. The internet has a wealth of information on the subject and you can even see the process of a drug intervention unfold on the television screen with A & E's show Intervention and Fuse Network's Rock Bottom.

The bottom line is that you can orchestrate your own drug intervention. Now, having given you the motivation and resources to begin the process on your own, there are some MAJOR factors to consider.

Perhaps the first item of concern is the fact that when it comes to addiction disorders, you are dealing with life and death. Period. I know that sounds dramatic, but that is the reality of the situation. Drug addiction is a disease that is progressive and is designed to kill. The decision to hire an intervention specialist oftentimes is predicated on the notion that the family may very well have only one chance to face their addicted loved one regarding their drug addiction and that it should be done with a seasoned intervention specialist.

Another factor is emotions. If not properly coached, an intervention team runs the risk of an anger-based intervention. Think of past attempts confronting the addict. Were you angry, frustrated and/or volatile during your attempt? Did you end the process wanting to pull your hair out, or, worse yet, ring the addict's neck? A properly trained intervention specialist will not only be emotionally removed from the event, but also will have prepared the team on how to conduct themselves throughout the process.

The defense mechanisms and objections hurled at the intervention team by the addict will come often and with great precision. Count on it! Addicts are brilliant with their persuasion and protestations. And every fiber of your body will want to believe them. Will you be strong enough to hold your ground? Will you be able to see that what is happening is that their addictive mind has taken over their rational thinking and that the addict is doing everything he can to protect his disease and perpetuate his drinking/using.

There are many other considerations including logistics, treatment facility, family treatment and aftercare. The advantage of hiring an intervention specialist is that you will be counseled on all issues throughout the process. I realize that as an intervention specialist, my opinion may come across as being completely biased, but I believe the best approach when dealing with an addict is to hire a professional. There is simply too much at stake, namely life.

I can tell you from personal experience that had I not been intervened, with a professional intervention specialist present, I would not be alive today. My disease was too strong for my family. They had no chance against my addictive defense mechanisms. It was only through the persistance and conviction of the intervention specialist that I made it to treatment and came out the other end a vibrant, healthy and functioning human being.