How to Conduct a Teen Intervention

You have watched your teen suffer enough with his addiction, and you are tired of worrying constantly about his well being. An intervention can get him into recovery. Follow these steps to conduct a teen intervention.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. After deciding to proceed with the intervention, look in your local yellow pages or online for a drug and alcohol service center. Inquire about hiring a professional interventionist to help you with the planning of your teen's intervention.
2. Schedule a pre-intervention with your intervention specialist. You will discuss the problem and explain how you would like the intervention to proceed. Every professional interventionist has their own methods so see if the two of you can meet halfway. Plan your pre-intervention when your teen is not around or hold it somewhere they don't has access to.
3. Prepare your thoughts about the teen's drug or alcohol abuse. Determine what effect it is having on you and the effects you see on them. Come up with a solution (rehab usually) and the effects of what happens if they don't decide to go along with your plan. Work with your interventionist and your family to draw up a list of effects.
4. Continue to have family meetings for at least 3 to 4 weeks before the actual intervention (unless the teen's behavior has become entirely too erratic and dangerous). Discuss ultimatums and be a source of support for each other during these planning periods.
5. Schedule the intervention with your interventionist for a day when the teen and all the participants can be present. Keep your intervention as quiet as possible and act normal the day of the intervention to avoid any suspicion.
6. Conduct your teen intervention along with the other participants and your professional interventionist. Be strong and remember it will be an emotional experience with potentially positive, life-changing results.

Tips & Warnings

• Inquire about insurance coverage for the intervention. Discuss any treatment facility options with your interventionist that fit your family's budget.
• Plan post-intervention counseling for you and your family, as the aftermath can sometimes be stressful.
• Do not plan an intervention until you are emotionally ready. You must make the commitment to follow through with the changes you set forth in your teen's intervention.
• Do not wait too long for an intervention. If it seems there is rapid decline in the teen's functioning, it can be too late at this point.