According to Addiction Intervention Resources Inc, 92% of the people who receive a brief intervention go on to receive full intervention services, which include medical rehabilitation, counseling, group therapy and/or inpatient care. A common myth is that substance abuse treatment only works if a person seeks help him or herself. However, a 25-year study found no statistical difference in self-referred individuals versus intervened individuals. If you truly love someone, then you shouldn't stand idly by as he or she continues down a self-destructive path. Interventions are the most powerful of motivators, since they lay out a clear path for success.

To begin planning an intervention, family members and friends will assemble a persuasive team of people who are committed to seeing the troubled individual succeed. The group should consist of people who are capable of communicating in a non-accusatory, sensitive, honest and loving manner, who won't explode angrily or thwart the group's overall objective. The group members must be willing to voice their concerns, look the addict in the eye and say "You have a problem." Commonly, interventions require each member of the group to read a paragraph expressing their feelings, so the team members must be prepared to do this.

If the individual refuses abuse treatment, then the team members must be prepared to issue a decree stating the consequences and all people involved must remain firm. Sometimes this means refusing money, shelter or other enabling behaviors. Change is often prompted by the inability to make any other choice. Many abusers, when confronted with the gravity of the situation will turn around, although most teary interventions are successful because the individual finally realizes the pain he or she has caused family and friends, or feels overwhelmed by the amount of support that has come together on his or her behalf.

Prior to interventions, the group must determine what sort of substance abuse treatment can be facilitated. Many phone calls will need to be made to determine how the treatment can be paid for, if there is availability and if it's the right approach for that particular individual. Most of the 10,000 alcohol and drug treatment centers in the US take the 12-step approach, like the one used at Alcoholics Anonymous, but other treatment centers may take a more holistic approach, a gender-specific approach or a religious-based approach. Some clinics offer hypnotherapy, group counseling, one-on-one counseling, skill assessments geared toward self-empowerment, anger management therapy, fitness/nutrition training and job skills assistance. Brainstorm to find the intervention plan that is most suitable and affordable.

Some people hesitate to plan interventions because they are worried that it may be too costly. Yet consider that Americans spend over $484 billion per year in health care, lost wages, crime and accidents caused by drug and alcohol abusers. According to a recent study, untreated addiction costs the US over $452 billion each year. In the long run, the cost of intervention programs is pennies now to save a life later.

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