How to Deal with a Failed Intervention

Putting together and executing a successful intervention can be a very difficult task. Finding the courage to get friends and family together to ‘interrogate’ an addicted loved one is difficult on its own—but even when an intervention is assembled it can sometimes result in a failed attempt, leading the addicted subject angry or not even fazed.

For example a group of close family and friends recently held an intervention for the daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, Bobbi Kristina Brown, and it apparently did not work because she continues to turn to alcohol, smoking marijuana and popping prescription pills. In situations like this, the concerned family and friends cannot become discouraged and just give up because regardless of how the subject of the intervention reacted to the event, it still leaves an imprint on them. Family members and friends should stick together and view a ‘failed’ intervention attempt as a step in the right direction regardless of the outcome. Persistence is a key with these kinds of things and if the addicted one continues to see the support and concern, then eventually they should ‘break down’ and accept the treatment being offered.

Often what makes the subject of an intervention accept treatment depends on the treatment center and what’s being offered. Finding the right treatment center can make all the difference for a patient because certain standard programs may not work. At Seabrook House, patients can take comfort in knowing that we structure individually inspired detox and rehab programs in order to fit the needs of each unique patient. All Seabrook House programs are grounded in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The Seabrook House Model® of treatment includes a multifaceted medical approach to alcohol and other drugs including opiate detoxification, gender-specific therapy with special emphasis on relapse prevention, and family intervention services. Seabrook House has rehab facilities located in New Jersey (NJ) and Pennsylvania (PA) and also an outpatient office in New York (NY). If you have any questions about interventions or post-intervention treatment, contact Seabrook House today at 1.800.761.7575.