Intervention - A Definition

Intervention by definition is the term used to refer to a confrontational process with the goal of helping an addict move toward recovery. Thus, an alcoholic intervention is staged to help in the specific instance of a person who is abusing alcohol. During the intervention, family and friends of the addict are accompanied and guided by an intervention professional, a type of counselor trained in this procedure. Individuals in the group confront the alcoholic about the harmful addictive behavior they have observed, and express their hopes that the addict will seek treatment.

As long as an intervention is staged under the direction of a trained counselor, the odds of success are good. However, there is always a chance that the alcoholic or addict will reject the help that is offered and withdraw even further from those who are offering it.