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What is an Intervention?
An intervention is a carefully planned process organised by friends and family members, or a professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counsellor or interventionist. It is designed to encourage a friend or family member struggling with alcohol or drug addiction to seek help.
Gambling, alcoholism and drug dependence can have a serious impact on the family and loved ones of the person suffering from the addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you may have wondered about the best way to get your family member into rehab or how to get help without making the situation worse. You might have already considered an addiction intervention, or maybe you’ve been searching for additional support in getting your loved one into the care of addiction services.
On this page, you will learn:
- What an addiction intervention is
- The benefits of staging an intervention
- The different types of intervention and how they work
- How interventions with Smarmore Castle work
- How to arrange an addiction intervention with Smarmore Castle
- Frequently asked questions about addiction interventions
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What is an Intervention Like?
Addiction interventions can be overwhelming, emotional, and at times uncomfortable. It’s important to approach the intervention process with care and a structured plan to avoid making your loved one feel attacked or isolated.
The best outcome of an intervention is that the person agrees to seek addiction treatment. However, it’s also common for the person struggling to be in denial, which may result in them reacting defensively.
By remaining empathetic, non-judgmental, and focused on your concern for their well-being, you can increase the chances of successful intervention. An intervention is not about blame – it’s an opportunity to communicate love and concern in a structured way that helps your loved one take the first step towards addiction rehabilitation.
The Benefits of Staging an Intervention
Staging a formal intervention can feel like a daunting step, but when carefully planned, it can be a powerful turning point for families affected by drug or alcohol addiction. Here’s why interventions are often effective in helping someone take the first step towards recovery:
Interventions Are Carefully Planned
An effective intervention is never spontaneous. Thoughtful preparation helps to reduce the risk of confrontation or emotional overwhelm. With professional help, you’ll plan who should attend, what each person will say, and how to respond if the conversation becomes difficult. This preparation (sometimes known as a rehearsal intervention) also allows everyone to rehearse their words, manage emotions, and set realistic expectations.
Planning an intervention also takes into account whether or not the person struggling with addiction has any mental health issues that might need to be taken into account by the intervention team. Mental illness and alcohol and drug addiction often go hand in hand, and can add a layer of complexity to discussing a loved one’s addiction with them. Real interventions will also help those with mental health disorders access professional support at a dedicated treatment centre.
Where a poorly planned intervention can backfire and leave a person feeling attacked, a calm, structured intervention environment with familiar, friendly faces can reduce the sense of shame your loved one may feel and help the person understand how their addiction is negatively affecting their life and the lives of their loved ones. This, in turn, can make the idea of entering treatment feel more accessible and less intimidating.
Effective Interventions Provide a Space For Loved Ones To Express Feelings
Addiction to alcohol, drugs, or behavioural addictions like gambling often leaves family and friends feeling powerless or unheard. Intervention services can offer support and a rare opportunity for parents, spouses, children, young people, and other loved ones to express how they’ve been affected by the person’s alcohol or drug misuse or other behaviours, without blame or judgment. It’s also a space to convey care, concern, and the hope that recovery is possible in an environment that promotes a healthy and safe family dynamic.
Addiction Interventions Enable Immediate Access to Treatment
When planned with a professional interventionist, treatment options can be arranged in advance. This means that if the individual agrees to accept help, they can enter detox and rehab immediately, which can help promote recovery significantly and is a sign of a successful intervention. Acting quickly reduces the risk of second thoughts and builds momentum toward recovery.
Interventions Allow You to Set Healthy Boundaries
Many interventionists see families reach out for help at a crisis intervention point. An intervention provides a framework to set boundaries that protect your well-being while clearly communicating the consequences of continued substance misuse. When delivered with care and consistency, boundaries can reinforce the need for change and highlight the urgency of seeking help.
A successful intervention gives families a structured way to voice their concerns, set compassionate boundaries, and offer a clear, immediate path into treatment for their loved one. With professional assistance, it becomes a constructive, healing process, not just for the individual but for everyone involved.
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Taking the first step in seeking help can be very difficult, our team is here to help you.
The Types of Intervention Available
Understanding the different models of intervention can help you select the method that best suits your loved one’s needs and your family’s circumstances. Each type of intervention offers a unique structure and therapeutic emphasis, but all aim to encourage the individual to accept help and begin the recovery process.
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The Johnson Model of Intervention
First developed by Dr. Vernon Johnson in the 1970s, the Johnson Model remains one of the most widely recognised approaches. It involves a carefully planned, surprise meeting in which family and friends express their concern in a structured, compassionate way. The individual is presented with clear, factual examples of how their behaviour has caused harm, followed by an offer of treatment. If help is refused, pre-agreed consequences are gently but firmly outlined. While direct, this method is rooted in care and aims to create a turning point for the person affected.
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The Family-Centric Approach
This method focuses on the entire family dynamic rather than solely on the person with addiction. It encourages all family members and loved ones to reflect on their roles and behaviours and engage in their own therapeutic process. This collaborative, non-confrontational model is often used when relationships have been deeply impacted and where blame and fear have built up over time. The emphasis is on creating a healing environment that assists in a sustainable recovery for everyone involved, not just the person with addiction.
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Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention interventions are typically used in urgent situations where someone is at immediate risk of serious harm, such as overdose, self-harm, or acute psychiatric distress. These interventions are time-sensitive and often coordinated by mental health professionals, emergency responders, or medical teams. The primary goal is to ensure safety and stabilisation before transitioning the individual into appropriate care, such as detox or psychiatric treatment.
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The ARISE® Model (A Relational Intervention Sequence for Engagement)
The ARISE model views addiction as a disease that affects the whole family. It encourages open, respectful communication through a series of planned meetings, gradually guiding the person toward accepting treatment. Unlike surprise-based models, ARISE begins with an invitation and builds engagement through transparency, encouragement, and collaboration. This method is particularly helpful when the person is reluctant but not entirely resistant to help, and when the family is committed to a long-term recovery journey together.
How Can an Addiction Intervention by Smarmore Castle Help My Loved One?
Arranging an intervention through Smarmore Castle offers a compassionate and clinically informed path to addiction treatment.
Why Choose Smarmore Castle:
- Empowering and non-judgmental: Our team helps your loved one feel heard, not attacked.
- Trauma-informed and evidence-based: We draw on best practices for long-term recovery.
- Direct access to treatment: We can facilitate immediate admission to a treatment facility.
- Family-inclusive: We provide support and involve you throughout.
Parent Testimonial
“Smarmore Castle saved our family. From the first call, we felt supported, not blamed. Our son went straight into treatment, and for the first time in years, we have hope.” -Anonymous
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Staging an Intervention with Smarmore Castle
Helping a loved one access treatment is a significant step. At Smarmore Castle, structured interventions are designed to offer an encouraging and compassionate approach, focusing on engagement.
Here’s what to expect:
Pre-Planning Consultation
Before the intervention, you will meet with a senior therapist who specialises in addiction treatment. This confidential session helps you outline the individual’s history, current behaviours, and any immediate concerns. Together, you’ll decide on the most appropriate time and format for the intervention. You’ll also discuss who should be present, how to communicate effectively, and how to set realistic goals for the meeting.
Therapist-Led Intervention Session
A trained addiction therapist or mental health professional will lead the intervention. Their role is to guide the conversation, maintain a calm and structured environment, and ensure that each participant has a chance to speak openly and constructively. The focus is on expressing concern without judgment, highlighting the impact of the addiction, and encouraging the individual to accept help. The session concludes with a respectful, supported invitation to begin treatment.
Immediate Transition to Treatment
If the individual agrees to accept help, they can be admitted directly into Smarmore Castle’s medically managed detox and residential rehab programme. All necessary arrangements, including transport, admission paperwork, and accommodation, are organised in advance to ensure a smooth and timely transition. This helps reduce the risk of delays or second thoughts.
Post-Intervention Support
Help doesn’t stop once treatment begins. Families are offered therapeutic resources, including family therapy and ongoing encouragement through our outpatient service. This helps everyone involved continue their own healing and prepare for the changes that recovery brings.
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How to Arrange an Addiction Intervention
Arranging an intervention is a carefully planned process. We are here to help you every step of the way, from your first phone call to planning treatment options. This is the process to follow:
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Speak to Someone at Smarmore Castle
Call 041 986 5080 to speak with a member of the admissions team. They’ll walk you through what to expect and help you plan appropriately. If the person agrees to treatment, Smarmore Castle can prepare a room for immediate admission.
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Confirm Who Will Be Involved
Agree in advance who will take part in the intervention. Everyone present should be prepared, informed, and committed to maintaining a calm and respectful tone throughout.
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Set Clear Ground Rules
Before the meeting, make a group agreement: no blame, no shouting, no criticism or pressure. The aim is to create a safe and non-confrontational environment where the person can hear what’s being said without feeling attacked.
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Share Honestly – Without Judgement
Each person should describe, in clear and compassionate terms, how the addiction has affected them. This is not about blame or guilt, but about helping the individual see the wider impact of their behaviour.
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Focus On Encouragement, Not Confrontation
Remember that the goal of an intervention is to encourage the person to accept treatment. It’s not a space for venting anger or listing past wrongs. Keep the conversation centred on support, care, and the opportunity for recovery.
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Be Ready With a Plan
If it is a successful intervention and the person agrees to treatment, immediate access is vital. Having a plan in place with Smarmore Castle means the transition can happen without delay, reducing the risk of second thoughts or withdrawal from the decision.
Self-Help Resources
For immediate emotional assistance, contact:
- Samaritans Ireland on 116 123
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous Ireland
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a brief intervention for addiction?
A brief intervention is a time-limited, structured conversation led by a trained healthcare professional. It aims to raise awareness of the individual’s substance use, explore the potential consequences, and encourage them to consider change. Often used in healthcare or community settings, this approach is non-judgmental, evidence-based, and designed to prompt early engagement with support or treatment options.
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What are the four basic steps of intervention?
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Preparation – The process begins with careful planning. This includes gathering background information, selecting participants, and deciding on the right time and place. Professional guidance is often essential at this stage.
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Confrontation – In a calm, structured setting, loved ones share their concerns and describe how the addiction has affected them. The goal is to express care and encourage change, not to criticise or shame.
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Offering Treatment – A clear treatment plan is presented, ideally with immediate access available. This gives the individual a concrete next step and reduces the risk of delay.
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Follow-Up – After the intervention, ongoing encouragement is essential. This may involve accompanying the person into treatment, offering family therapy, and planning for long-term recovery.
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Can you hold an intervention at home?
Yes, interventions can be held at home or in another familiar, private setting. A home environment may help the person feel more at ease, but the setting also needs to be emotionally safe for everyone involved. For this reason, professional interventionist guidance is strongly recommended. A trained interventionist or therapist can help structure the meeting, manage emotions, and keep the conversation focused on help and solutions, reducing the risk of conflict or harm.
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What if an addiction intervention doesn’t work?
It’s not uncommon for someone to initially refuse help, even after a well-planned intervention. This can be part of the process. While it may feel discouraging, it doesn’t mean the effort has failed. The best outcome here is that the conversation may plant a seed that leads to change later on where your loved one may seek treatment. We can help you prepare for a second attempt and offer additional support in the meantime.
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Do you involve other family members or employers in an addiction intervention?
You can. Interventions are carefully tailored to each individual’s circumstances. This may include involving close family members, friends, or, in some cases, employers, if appropriate and agreed upon in advance. Everyone who participates is supported beforehand to ensure they understand their role, speak constructively, and contribute to a safe, respectful environment. Including others who care about the person can help reinforce the message and demonstrate the collective solace for their recovery.
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How quickly can rehab admission take place after an intervention?
If the person agrees to treatment during the intervention, admission to Smarmore Castle rehab clinic can happen immediately. All logistics, including accommodation, transport, and medical preparations, are arranged in advance to ensure a seamless transition. This reduces the risk of hesitation or delay and helps maintain momentum toward recovery.
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How long do addiction interventions typically take?
The planning phase usually takes several days and involves coordination between family and friends, professionals, and the treatment provider. This preparation is essential to ensure the intervention is safe, focused, and effective. The intervention meeting itself typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, though this can vary depending on the individual’s response and the number of participants. In some cases, follow-up conversations may be needed to support the decision-making process.