Intervention, When YOU or a Loved ONE is in Need of an Intervention

Do I NEED an Intervention? Questions YOU SHOULD ask YOURSELF:

Have YOU: Been told by your loved one(s), that what you are doing is hurting your relationship with them? Has your family made comments such as; you’re hurting us by what you are doing? Is there something you are doing which others in your life believe to be either unhealthy or problematic behaviors but your perception is quite different?

Are YOU: Someone who is constantly struggling with someone in your life who cannot see that their behaviors have an affect upon your daily lives? Is there some sort of behavior, which you feel is unhealthy but are afraid to say something in fear that you may alienate yourself?

Fact: Without an intervention that is planned by a therapist, the individual will remain stuck and never have the ability to truly transform these unhealthy behaviors (Prochaska and Velicer, 1997, p. 41). WHY? There is no innate motivation to evolve through the stages internally because the individual is unaware that a problem exists and there are both physical and psychological developments that must occur in order to change (Prochaska and Velicer, 1997, p. 41).

Fact: There are specific processes and principals (of change) that need to be applied in therapy at specific stages for progress through each stage is to occur (Prochaska and Velicer, 1997, p. 41).

 If you are contemplating change for yourself or need help doing so with a loved one, remember this… This, true transformation cannot occur without understanding and going through the stages.

Principals of Drug Addiction

Behavior change (transformation) is a process that unfolds over-time through a sequence of stages

(Prochaska and Velicer, 1997, p. 41).

Stages of Change

Precontemplation: individuals in this stage have NO intention to change the unhealthy behavior in the near future. The individual when asked does not view the behavior as being problematic because there is no belief that it is an issue. Also known as (resistant or being in denial).

  • Things to consider 4 reasons for this stage (precontemplation):

  • Reluctance

  • Rebellion

  • Resignation

  • Rationalization

  • Tasks of a Therapist:

  • Problem identification.

  • Awareness of the differences between reason & rationalization.

  • Recognize, strategies to raise awareness of client’s risks associated with the behavior.

  • Outcome, individual has begun to consider that a problem (matter) concern exists.

Contemplation: individual is now aware a problem exists and is seriously considering action (but has not yet made a commitment to take action).

  • Things to consider contradictory stage of change:

  • Willing to consider

  • Ambivalent

  • Open to new and more information

  • Needs strong compelling information that is personal to them

  • Tasks of a Therapist:

  • Consider the pros and cons of from the individual’s perspective

  • Problem behavior

  • Change

  • Review information about attempts to change that have been made by the individual in the past.

  • Explore the options the individual has considered (in the past) and offer additional options.

  • Outcome, individual has begun to make a tentative commitment to changing the problem behavior(s).

Preparation: the individual has become intent to take action and has taken some steps to change (transform).

  • Things to consider even though the decision to change the behavior has been made the individual:

  • Decision-making process is still occurring (pros & cons) are still being weighed.

  • Tasks of a Therapist:

  • Evaluate (strength of the commitment).

  • Examine (any barriers and produce solutions).

  • Build (coping behaviors).

  • Reinforce (the commitment).

  • Individual has an action plan (in place).

Action: individual is aware a problem exists and actively changes their behavior.

  • Things to consider action involves a (sustained effort):

  • Implementation of the plan

  • Ambivalence & commitment (are still issues)

  • Plan (working or not working)

  • Procedure to re-evaluate the plan (is there one)

  • Handling slips (how to)

  • Tasks of a Therapist:

  • Increase self-efficacy.

  • Outcome, a clear change in behavior (manifests) & risk of relapse diminishes (as the new behavior patterns replace old unhealthy behavior).

Maintenance: individual’s behavior is established (firmly) and the threat of relapsing has now become less powerful.

  • Things to consider maintenance is not a static stage:

  • Relapse (is possible) and can occur for a variety of reasons

  • If a initial slip occurs (has slipped or is ready to slip) relapse can become a threat

  • Fear is high

  • Self-efficacy is weakened

  • Needs the reassurance of a therapist

  • Tasks of a Therapist:

  • Explore factors (triggers).

  • Maintain (crisis).

  • Outcome, one of two can occur:

  • Individual exits this stage of change (or)

  • Individual (who has relapsed) re-enters the contemplation or preparation stage (Prochaska and Velicer, 1997, pp. 38-48).

When behaviors begin to affect our loved ones or when someone’s behavior begins to have a negative affect upon your relationship… then it may be time to consider whether or not you need some help and guidance.



Alison Strate