What an intervention is, and what it is not
An intervention is a structured, carefully prepared conversation in which the people who love someone most come together to express their concern and offer a clear path forward. It is not an ambush. It is not a confrontation. And it is not an attempt to force someone into treatment against their will. The goal is to open a door, not to push someone through it.
The word "intervention" conjures images from American television, where family members read out lists of grievances and the person in question breaks down in tears and agrees to go to treatment immediately. That model, based on the Johnson Intervention developed in the 1960s, can work in some circumstances. But it can also backfire badly, increasing shame and resistance and damaging the relationships it relies on. There is a better approach for most families.
The ARISE model: a gentler approach
The ARISE model, which stands for A Relational Intervention Sequence for Engagement, takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than a single high-stakes confrontational moment, ARISE involves a gradual, compassionate process of engagement in which the person with the problem is invited into the conversation from the beginning, rather than being surprised by it.
In the ARISE approach, a trusted family member or close friend begins by calling the person directly, expressing concern, and inviting them to join a conversation with the family. The person is not excluded from the planning. They are not ambushed. They are invited. This reduces shame and defensiveness significantly, and research suggests that this approach has higher engagement rates than confrontational models.
Who should be involved
The people who should be part of an intervention are those who have a genuine, loving relationship with the person and whose concern will carry weight. Close family members, a partner, a close friend or two. The group should be small, typically between three and six people, because a large group can feel overwhelming and adversarial.
Equally important is who should not be involved. Anyone who enables the behaviour, for example a friend who drinks alongside them or a family member who covers up or minimises the problem, should not be part of the conversation unless they are genuinely willing to change their own behaviour. And anyone who is likely to become angry, accusatory, or unable to stick to the agreed tone should not be present.
Preparation: what to do before the conversation
The intervention conversation should never be improvised. Each person who participates should prepare in advance what they want to say, focusing on specific incidents and the impact those incidents have had on them personally, rather than on general accusations or character judgements. "I felt frightened when you drove after drinking" is more effective than "you are ruining your life." The first is observable and personal. The second invites defensiveness.
Crucially, you should have a treatment programme identified and, if possible, a place provisionally held before the conversation happens. If the person agrees to seek help, you want to be able to say "there is a place ready for you, and we can arrange travel this week." Having nothing concrete to offer is a missed opportunity. If they say yes and you have nothing ready, the window of willingness can close quickly.
What to say and what to avoid
Use "I" statements throughout. Express love, not blame. Describe consequences of behaviour without moralising. And agree in advance on what each person will say if the person becomes defensive or dismissive. Avoid language that shames, that compares them unfavourably to others, or that implies they are weak. Addiction is a health condition, not a character flaw, and the tone of the conversation should reflect that.
If they say yes
Move quickly. Have the practical details ready: the clinic, the admission process, the flight booking, and who will travel with them if that is possible. The window between agreeing and following through can be narrow. Every hour of delay is an opportunity for second thoughts. Your role is to make saying yes as easy as possible.
If they say no
A "no" today is not a permanent answer. Maintain the relationship. Hold the boundary you discussed, consistently and without anger. Continue to express love while being clear that you will not participate in behaviour that harms them. And be prepared to try again at a future point. Many people who enter treatment do so after several conversations, not one. The groundwork laid in an intervention that does not immediately succeed is not wasted.
For support on what families can do before and after treatment, visit our family support page.