877.857.ABCI (2224)
DATA PREPARATION
YOU CAN LOOK FOR SPECIFIC DATA IN THESE AREAS:
Change in pattern of use:
a.Uses more
b.Rapid intake
c.Hides use
d.Uses away from home/exclusively in the home
e.Denies use
f.Hides supply
g.Can’t stop/doesn’t stop
h.Increased occasions of intoxication
i.Uses alone
j.Increased tolerance/decreased tolerance
k.Attends more events where chemicals are used/present
Behavior when using:
a.Becomes angry
b.Becomes violent/verbally/physically
c.Becomes loud/shouting/argues
d.Becomes silent/withdrawn
e.Becomes friendly, nice congenial when using
f.Change in sexual behavior
How is this affecting:
a.Relationships with significant others
b.Children’s reaction
c.Communication with significant others
d.Finances
e.Physical, medical, sexual functioning
f.Job problems
g.Responsibility toward self and others
h.Legal problems
i.Accidents, (home, car, etc.)
j.Traffic violations (DUI, tickets, warnings, etc.)
DATA SHEET EXAMPLE
Date This Is What Happened This Is What I Did (And Said)This Is How I Felt April 11 You were drunk during a dinner party with my parents. You insulted my cooking in front of them and even insulted them.I went into the kitchen and cried alone. I acted as if everything was all right when I returned. I apologized for you the next day, and told them you were tired and not yourself. I was embarrassed for them and myself. I was also hurt and angry by your behavior and insults.
My Birthday You promised to take me to a football game. You came home late and had been drinking. You fell asleep, and we couldn’t wake you. I tried to wake you up. Then I realized that you were out for the evening. I went to my room and cried myself to sleep. I was disappointed about missing the game. I was also hurt because it didn’t seem as if you cared about me.
Last Week You were late for work each morning and you smelled of alcohol. I gave you easy assignments. I also made sure that no one else saw you that morning. I took care of the customers. I was angry with you and your irresponsibility. I was also concerned, as you are a friend whom I care about.
Friday You came home from work and you were noticeable drunk. You stumbled into the house and fell over the coffee table. You broke a vase. I picked you up and put you to bed. Then I cleaned up your mess. I was scared; you could barely walk and you had driven home. I was angry about all the commotion you caused.
Our Last Fishing Trip You were drinking on the boat. You became too drunk to even talk. You tried to stand up and caused the boat to capsize. We all ended up in the water. We righted the boat, and got you inside. Then we returned to shore. We lost all of our equipment and went home the next day. I was angry because you could have killed us and angry about the equipment. I was also very disappointed. It wasn?t’ a good trip.
SUGGESTED SCRIPT FOR EACH INTERVENER
Five elements of each script
1.Address/name (call the person by name)
2.Statement of care (I love you, I care about you, etc)
3.Data – specific/irrefutable (You came home drunk Tuesday night)
4.Effect on me (You tried to hit me)
5.Request to treatment (We would like for you to go into treatment for your chemical dependency)
EXAMPLES OF HOW TO BEGIN YOU INTERVENTION FACTS
“I CARE??????????????????????????.”
OR
“I’M CONCERNED??????????????????????”
BECAUSE
“YOU DID?????????????.(Describe behavior specifically)
AND
“I WANT YOU TO GET HELP”
OR
“I WANT BOTH OF US TO GET HELP”
SUMMARY FOR PRE-INTERVENTION, INTERVENTION, POST-INTERVENTION
Pre-Intervention
Client: _________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________ Time: ______________ Location: _________________
Those present at Pre-Intervention:
Name: Relationship
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Treatment Placement (have two options available):
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Insurance Approved: ___ yes ___ no Reservation confirmed: ___ yes ___ no
Employer notified: ___ yes ___ no
Necessary arrangements:
1.Who will take the person to treatment? ____________________________________
2.Who will pack clothes? ________________________________________________
3.Other? _____________________________________________________________
Data lists prepared: ___ yes ___ no
Presentation order confirmed (seating arrangements made?): ___ yes ___ no
Chairperson: _____________________________________________________________
New behavior determined: ___ yes ___ no
“What If”/ Obstacles discussed: ___ yes ___ no
Intervention
Intervening with: _________________________________________________________
Date: _________________ Time: _______________ Location: _________________
Comments:
Post-Intervention
Intervening with:_________________________________________________________Date: _________________ Time: _______________ Location: ________________
Comments:
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INTERVENTION
“You sat on the burner, baby?
You sit on the blisters.”
– Aunt Liz
The First Basic Principle:
“You are not responsible for others, but to them.”
“You are not responsible for others” means that you cannot control another person’s behavior, feelings, or decisions. “You are responsible to others” means that you can only control two things: YOURSELF and YOUR ENVIRONMENT.
1. You can control your own behavior toward, feelings about, and decisions concerning
others.
2. You can control the environment that is under your care, the home, the school, or
wherever you come into contact with others as a person in authority.
The Second Basic Principle:
“Everyone needs a connector – a significant other person outside of the immediate family whom they can trust and relate to.” This person is called the “connector” because he or she “connects” through unconditional acceptance. He or she cares for the person no matter what. There are no strings attached to that caring.
Chemical dependence is an illness. Chemically dependent people have a “love affair” with a drug in which the drug becomes more important than people. “Drugs are people substitutes.” Intervention demands that people replace the chemicals that dominate a person’s life. THIS BEGINS WITH A CONNECTOR.
The Third Basic Principle:
“There is a need for a network of people willing and able to confront the person about his or her chemical use.” No one should attempt such a confrontation alone.
Chemical dependence is a system illness. Chemically dependent people are trapped within a delusional system supported by many people. These people become “enablers” who unwittingly allow the alcohol/drug abuser to continue self-destructive behaviors. Intervention demands that people stop enabling and start to work together as a united front in confronting the problem. IT TAKES A SYSTEM TO CRACK A SYSTEM.
THE INTERVENTION CONCEPT AND GOAL
Chances are that your Intervention Session will not be the first time that you and others have tried to confront the chemically addicted person with the reality of his/her situation. You have probably discussed and presented the facts about chemical use and the harmful consequences of this use before. Some of these confrontations may have included threatening the chemically dependent person with the loss of job or family if change did not occur. Maybe many of these past confrontations ended up in family arguments or apologies or tears or promises. As time passed, however, the promises were broken, the discussion forgotten, and/or the threats were not carried out. In short, the confrontations did not bring about any lasting positive changes.
Intervention is different from these past confrontations and it is these differences which make it effective. First of all, care, concern, and support are provided during the Intervention. The chemically dependent person’s defensiveness is reduced because he/she can feel that everyone is trying to help and not hurt. There is no need to respond in anger or hide behind tears or silence. He/she can listen to what is being said and can be concerned others do not blame, judge, or criticize, the chemically dependent person does not feel attacked and does not need a shield from both the people and the words.
The information which is presented during the intervention is all chemically-related data. We focus on the harmful consequences of the chemical use and give specific, accurate, and true accounts of these harmful consequences. We do not discuss behaviors or weaknesses which are not related to the chemical use.
By keeping the focus on the drinking/drug behavior, we tell the chemically addicted person over and over again that it is the chemicals which are causing the life problems. In essence, we state and document the existence of the disease. We encourage the addicted person to get professional help for the disease. When the focus is not kept on the disease, we end up telling our chemically addicted person that he/she has many different problems, all of which need a separate solution. We overwhelm them with requests for change. He/she is not only confused by al these request, but honestly doesn’t know where to begin or what to change first.
Bibliography
Intervention: “How to help Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help”, Vernon Johnson, DD,. Johnsonson’s Institute 1986
American Board of Certified Interventionists,Inc., 1997
Florida Coalition on Drug Education, Prevention, And Intervention., Inc.