Intervention Services
At Bayside Marin we recognize that sometimes an Intervention is the only way to get a client into treatment. Oftentimes the denial and problem minimizing prevent the individual from taking the necessary steps to get the help they need.
Intervention is a planned, caring confrontation designed to raise the substance abusers awareness of their addiction and to get them into treatment before they "hits bottom", which, for many, consists of tragic consequences. For many years the common thinking was that a substance abuser or chemically dependent person...be it alcohol, illegal street drugs, or prescription medications...had to reach bottom and call out for help before anything could be done for them. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you are willing to wait until this person hits "rock bottom" before you intervene, then you may be forced to watch them destroy their lives and deeply affect the lives of their loved ones. In a way, an intervention is simply the raising of that bottom so that the addict doesn't spiral further toward self-destruction.
- Speak to Intake Advisor — call toll-free (888) 484-1042
- Request Free Confidential Assessment
Intervention is also for the family and loved ones. We know that addiction is a family disease and that significant others suffer a great deal as the substance use accelerates and the consequences become more severe. Intervention supports the family in identifying and discontinuing behaviors that they have done that contribute to the sickness of the addict and the family itself. Recovery for the whole family is the ultimate focus of a good intervention.
Interventions may be done in the "Johnson Model", which employs the surprise tactic, or the "Systemic Model", which is described as an invitational model. Our clinical staff can help you determine which model will be most appropriate for your situation. Interventions are best conducted by teams consisting of one or two Intervention Specialists and people who have personal relationships with the addict. Teams often< include not only family members but also concerned friends, employers, medical care providers, clergy, and other influential concerned individuals.
In the Johnson Model, team members compile lists of specific incidents in which the addict's behavior embarrassed or hurt them. Prior to the actual intervention they meet one to three times without the addict present to practice presenting this material to the addict. Their choice of words is critical. They learn how to describe each event in great detail but without blame or judgment. They need to convey that the addict is not a bad person but an out of control person who needs help. On the specified date and time with the addict present they express their concerns and the desire for him/her to seek treatment. They are also assisted in identifying realistic consequences that will occur if the addict refuses treatment.
In the Systemic Invitational Model, the addict is informed in advance that the family has hired an interventionist and the dates and times the intervention will occur, with or without the addict present. This model provides education and support to the entire family system by identifying the signs and symptoms of the disease of addiction, behaviors that support the addiction and plans of action to get into Recovery.
Each Intervention process is helpful in teaching families to draw boundaries, express their needs and take care of themselves. An Intervention will change the family dynamics by speaking directly to the problem in a healthy and direct manner.
You can perform an intervention on your own, but it's not easy and if not done correctly can cause more problems. It is strongly suggested that you enlist the help of a professional interventionist.
Bayside Marin can provide Intervention services nationwide. We can arrange and facilitate an Intervention in your area by dispatching an Interventionist from our staff or from our network of Interventionists around the country. It is not required, in using our Intervention Service, that the client attend treatment at Bayside Marin. A recommendation for treatment will be made based on clinical needs to the most appropriate facility, which may or may not be Bayside Marin.
