The aim of an intervention

An intervention programme supported by an interventionist can be used when the person concerned does not want help. It is generally assumed that someone with an addiction problem will only accept help once they have hit rock bottom in many areas of life and can see no way out. Examples of such low points include losing your job or home, a relationship ending, or breaking down mentally and physically. This low point is known as “hitting rock bottom”. However, there is no need to wait until personal or professional tragedies have occurred.

At such a point, someone is unlikely to recognise that things cannot continue this way. Or perhaps they do recognise the problem but have given up hope that a different life is possible. They are certain that those around them do not understand their addiction. Previous care pathways are proof of that in their eyes. Your child, parent or partner needs exceptional additional help so that, with everything we have, we can face this problem together.

The conducting of an intervention has a dual purpose: encouraging the addicted person to accept treatment and informing the family about the disease of addiction. In some cases, there may be a hereditary predisposition, meaning this family disease affects not only the person concerned but also part of the family. Environmental circumstances may play a role as well. These two factors may also occur in combination.

As a manager or head of department, you may be looking for help for an employee whom you believe has an addiction. Or for someone whose absence from work you suspect may be related to addiction. In that situation too, we can work step by step towards an intervention, sometimes involving loved ones as well, following careful consultation.