Interventions
What is an intervention?
An intervention is the action taken by family, friends, employer and/or concerned others to actively assist someone to change unacceptable behavior. The problem areas that an intervention typically addresses are addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs, nicotine, food, the Internet, sex, spending/shopping, and gambling; the need for nursing home or medical care; domestic violence issues; and chronic pain with addiction.Why use an intervention?
It was once believed that an individual struggling with addiction or resisting changing unhealthy behaviors had to sincerely want help to get help. The individual had to "hit bottom" before being motivated to change. This, of course, is not always true.No person can easily survive without support from someone close to him/her. Interventions are based on this fact. A person will continue to live his/her life of active addiction or an unhealthy behavior when friends and family offer inappropriate support. This type of support typically allows the addiction or behavior to continue. In most cases, family and friends feel that they are protecting the individual, but in fact, they are creating an unhealthy support system for the person.
The intervention process addresses the unhealthy support system that allows the addiction to progress. Addiction breeds secrecy and isolation, both for the individual and for those who care about him/her. The intervention process brings together family, friends and other concerned persons and creates a support network for each member. The support network in turn engages and empowers the individual to grow and change in a positive way.
Who can be involved in an intervention?
The support network for an intervention is comprised of family, friends and others with a caring, significant relationship to the individual. All members of the support network must agree to empower the individual to make change, not shame or humiliate him/her because of addiction or unhealthy behavior.To learn more about Intervention Training workshops for professionals, visit the IIAR Workshops or call the IIAR at 1-800-522-3784. To learn more about Interventions, call the IIAR at 1-800-522-3784, or schedule a free informational session with a licensed and/or certified counselor.
To comment on this site or inquire about IIAR programs and services, or to receive additional information on any of the subjects discussed in this Web site, please e-mail our Vice President of Addiction and Behavioral Sciences, Rick Zehr (eric.zehr@proctor.org) or call 1-800-522-3784.
About I.I.A.R. Addiction Information
Speakers Bureau This information is provided as a community education service about professional issues and is not a substitute for individual consultation. Advice on individual problems should be obtained through a professional. All personal and medical information provided to IIAR and its staff is held in strict confidence. This information will not be disclosed to any person or organization without the written consent of the patient or guardian.
The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery has centers at the following three locations:
Proctor Hospital, 5409 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614, phone: 1-800-522-3784
BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Virginia at Franklin, Normal, IL 61761, phone: 309-888-0993
IIAR at Springfield, 3050 Montvale Drive, Springfield, IL 62704, phone: 217-726-6611E-mail comments or requests for additional information to Rick Zehr (eric.zehr@proctor.org) You may also contact:Randee McGraw, Administrative Director
Pam Hillyard, Manager
Coleen Moore, Coordinator of Resource Development
Natalie Mason, Nursing Coordinator©2007 Proctor Hospital
