How to Know When a Family Member Needs an Intervention
An intervention is an orchestrated attempt by a group of friends or relatives to get someone to seek help. Most interventions are done with the root problem being some sort of addiction, such as alcoholism or drug addiction. However an intervention can also take place for other reasons, such as getting help in order to deal with a traumatic event.
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Instructions
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Verify what exactly is ailing your family member. Before you know for sure a family member needs an intervention, you need to know what is wrong. Are they addicted to some type of drug? Do they have an alcohol problem? Do they have some other type of problem in which they should seek help? Some symptoms caused by stress or illness can be mistaken for warnings signs of an addiction or depression.
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See if the family member is willing to get help or is planning to get help on their own. Sometimes an intervention isn't necessary if the person is in the process of getting help. An intervention should be a last recourse. If the family member is indeed attempting to get help, offer your full support.
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Ask other friends and family of the person in question if they have the same concerns you do. If there are a number of people with the same worries you have and your family member refuses to get help on their own, that's the best sign that an intervention is needed.
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Contact an interventionist. These intervention specialists are trained to help conduct an intervention. Relay your worries and concerns to the interventionist. They can give you their professional opinion on whether an intervention is necessary. If they deem an intervention needed, they can help you carry out the intervention. See the Resources section for more information.
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