“What Is An “Intervention”?”

Brian Lynch

In the “recovery movement,” an intervention is an activity where family and friends attempt to intervene in a person's life when they feel that their use of some drug has gotten out of hand to the point that it is ruining the person's life. This is where they more or less “trick” the person into coming to dinner or just over to someone’s house and then ten people show up and confront the person about what is going on. This is done in a “scripted” manner.

I had not thought about this in some time until a recent conversation about it with someone and it was mentioned that someone was contemplating organizing an intervention for someone but they were not sure there was a drug problem. What was certain was that there was a problem of communication.

It fairly rapidly occurred to me that there was a “problem” with this type of thinking. I voiced my opinion that I very often or almost always emphasize to people that come to me about addiction and that the addiction has “ultimately nothing to do with drugs.” It has, “Nothing to do with alcohol.” And overeating has “nothing to do with food.” Of course, they all look at me as if I am crazy at first but only for a moment. Why? Because it is true. All our problems start with emotional turmoil and then we do something about it. Of course, things can get complicated but for now, we will focus on the thought that we feel and then we do.

I emphasize also that society needs scapegoats and that we pick on addicts as addictions are just more visible than other problems like staying in the house all day or being addicted to sex or money.

So my thought about this intervention was, well, go ahead and do the intervention! It does not have to have anything to do with “drugs or alcohol” and be darn sure you don’t mention drugs or alcohol. Do not mention drugs or alcohol.

I am not that familiar with the experience of an “intervention” but I am sure many of them are “run” horribly and are disasters as they turn out to be shaming and humiliating to the intended target.

Any such approach has to be done with the greatest of care and respect and dignity for the person. The only message that can be sent has to be that “We are interested in you.” “Interest” is the key. This however cannot be but shame-producing to the person and the response can be and often is anger. 

Remember you invited yourselves to the party. If you have been hurt by the person it is fair to say you have been hurt, but remember you are there for them realizing that the only way you are not going to get hurt in the future is for them to get better. What is the long-term best interest of everyone? What is in the best interest of the “community?”

A favorite poly that I also hear is that people are told "Get help or we will not help or talk to you."

How this is "good" psychotherapy and how it is based on good research I haven't a clue. People are in these situations because of deep issues of having been shamed and humiliated and often have severe issues of abandonment. To now be "cornered" like this must indeed be humiliating and it must, when this ploy is used now trigger new massive fears of abandonment.