Chances are you know one of the millions of Americans who have a problem with alcohol or other drugs. You may care very much about that person. Maybe you’ve even thought about trying to help.

Obstacles may seem too large or something is holding you back.

Maybe you blame yourself.

Or maybe you think that people have to reach a point where their problems are so overwhelming that they will be forced to seek help on their own.

You’re wrong!

While it’s true that only the person with the problem can solve it, this doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything until the person hits "rock bottom."

People who are dependent on alcohol or other drugs may try to hide it. They probably won’t be ready to admit that drinking too much or too often, or using drugs may be causing them serious problems. They can’t quit without your love and your help.

How can you help?

The answer is a process called intervention. Getting someone help who doesn’t want help is what intervention is all about. That’s not always easy. It takes a lot of preparation and professional guidance.

During the intervention process, participants explore what will work and what will be effective in a planned, organized fashion. An educational format is provided for family members/significant others to look at their own response and sort through what is real and what is not real.

In an intervention, family members, friends and co-workers present reality as a group in a loving, caring way. Instead of making excuses, blaming each other or covering up for the person with the problem, intervention provides an opportunity to present clear, factual information about the effect the person’s substance use has on those who care about him or her.

The Council has trained professional Interventionists who have successfully completed an extensive training program and must abide by a code of ethics and specific protocols, to guide you through the process.

During the face-to-face intervention, each member of the team expresses their sincere concern for the person with the problem and shares specifically what they have observed about the person’s behavior and how it has affected them. The hope is for the person with the problem to accept that their behavior shows signs of addiction to alcohol or other drugs and be willing to get help. The most successful interventions take place when the team members -- family, friends and/or co-workers -- have been well prepared by an intervention professional.

The intervention process begins with the PROACT Family Education Program. Go to www.PROACT.org and click “Family Program” in the Left tool bar to find out more about this program.

The cost for the Intervention Service is $800.00 for Bucks County residents or $55.00 per hour. A scholarship fund has been set up to subsidize families unable to pay for the above services. Contributions continue to be received from families and friends of those involved in the intervention process. These donations enable us to provide quality services to all of those in need, regardless of economic restrictions. Please consider The Council when making your charitable contributions.

For more information about intervention, contact The Council at (215) 345-6644 or email us at info@bccadd.org

Statistics for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2005 100 Persons Served Through Formal Interventions