What is an Intervention?

By Evyan Donch and our partners at LaPromessa.org | RecoverySpecialistsInRome.com

“An Intervention introduces a person to the possibility of recovery and a happy life and the entire family support network to a life of health and well-being. No one need ever ‘hit bottom’ again before getting help.”

– Evyan Donch, Trained & Certified Interventionist

What is an intervention?

An intervention is an organized, structured and highly personalized method designed to encourage and motivate an individual to recognize the need for help for an addiction to drugs and or alcohol, eating disorders or any compulsive behavior or other problems.

Types of Interventions

The ARISE

The goal of the ARISE intervention is to approach the individual in a manner which is
compassionate and non-threatening, and help them to see how their substance use is impacting
themselves – their life, their health, their work, their future — and those around them. And to help the
family gain an understanding of the historical family component and its influence on an individuals use of
substances or on developing a harmful behavioral disorder (as in anorexia or gambling).

Johnson Model, or Surprise

Our interventions are conducted in a way that is respectful, open and honest and recognizes that the
individual already feels shame and guilt therefore the primary objective of an intervention is to create
an environment where the family and person of concern is able to listen and accept help for the
recovery of the entire family.
An intervention provides a change not only in the life of the affected person but also in the life of
everyone involved. Friends, family members and colleagues are shown how to work together with
compassion and care to allow a suffering individual see the effect their use of substances is having not
just on themselves but on those around them.

Continuum of Care

After the person of concern enters into a treatment programme, the continuum of care proceeds
to assist the entire family support network to gain a better understanding of the nature of substance use and
behavioral disorders. Weekly meetings are held with the family support network for up to 6 months helping them to gain insight into the disease of addiction, what to expect from their family members treatment program, how to heal themselves and the family. Weekly meetings are usually in person but can also take place via the internet.

Family Interventions

Family Interventions are often emotional and may be a completely new experience for the family. The
Interventionist helps bring the family together, focusses on their strengths and helps to create a future
without addiction whether its alcohol or drugs, or process addictions such as gambling, sex or eating.

Executive or Corporate Interventions

An Executive or Corporate intervention is a cost effective way of dealing with addictions in the
workplace or with a person who may be in a position of standing in the community. Absentee employees,
excessive use of sick leave, accidents in the workplace, attitude changes are just some of the signs of
addictions in the work place. Our Interventionist is available to provide Consulting and Employee
Assistance Programmes to Organizations and Companies. We are on hand to train Supervisors, employers
or Human Resources departments on how to approach a staff member or employee who may show signs
of an addiction.

By Bellies Abroad Addiction Consultant, Councelor and Interventionist Evyan Donch