Q: What is the reason for the traditionally used “surprise” approach to the intervention meeting? Isn’t this being sneaky or deceitful?
A: Most participants list this “surprise” issue as the most uncomfortable aspect of the traditional approach. The reason this approach is commonly used is because, if the participant requests the presence of the individual at a meeting to discuss their concerns, it is not unusual for the individual to avoid the meeting. If the person does agree to the meeting, their defenses may mobilize to the extent that they become extremely difficult to penetrate. It is important to note, however, that utilizing the “surprise” method is not always recommended. Your intervention team will suggest the best method during the planning process.

Q: Can children/teens participate in the intervention?
A: The active participation of children in an intervention depends upon several factors, including the age of the child, their relationship with the person, and the child’s emotional maturity. If this is an issue, the Aureus team will carefully assess and consider this possibility. We reserve the right to disallow child involvement if there is even the slightest chance that the individual could harm the child emotionally, psychologically, or physically as a result of their involvement.

Q: Some of our participants use alcohol or drugs themselves. Can they still participate? Will this hurt our chances of our intervention being successful?
A: It is essential that you notify the Aureus team if this is an issue. Many people are able to drink alcohol socially and are not victims to the disease of addiction, but your or another participant’s drinking could be an important factor in the overall meeting. If not addressed prior to the intervention, the Aureus team will be at a disadvantage if this issue arises.

Q: What if our family member walks out of the intervention?
A: This is another common concern, and one that is worthy of careful consideration. If the traditional “surprise” method is used, the chances of walking away at the start of the intervention are minimal. The “surprise,” the person’s friends, family members, and the intervention team asking the person to join the meeting tend to halt the person’s natural response of wanting immediately to leave. They tend to be curious, if not about what the meeting is about, then what will be said. This is another benefit of using the “surprise” method. If the person does choose to leave the meeting prematurely, every effort will be made to persuade them to remain. Aureus staff will never physically restrict a person or restrain them to keep them at the meeting. We do not condone the action of any participant who makes an effort to do so.

It is important to know that very few people leave an intervention meeting, and the ones that do can typically be persuaded by the Aureus team to return. The Aureus team will handle any situation that occurs in such a situation.

Q: What if the person becomes so mad at me that they won’t ever talk to me again?
A: It is a natural response for the individual to become angry with the participants and threaten never to speak to them again. However, the person’s anger tends to stem from his or her own denial. The intervention serves as an interruption in the person’s ability to continue to use drugs and/or alcohol, even if only temporarily, and this is threatening. It is highly unusually for the person to actually never speak to the participants again.

Q: What does “participant contracting” mean?
A: As you likely are aware, a person’s addiction to drugs and/or alcohol frequently results in strained family relationships and friendships. Anger, depression, fear, and disappointment typically accompany the knowledge that their family or friend is actively abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Though the intensity of these feelings may subside if and once the person agrees to accept help, they will likely continue to exist. Unaddressed and unresolved feelings need to be addressed for the participant’s own emotional well being and for the repair of their relationship with the addict.

When a person contracts, they are pledging to their friend or family member that they, too, will work at resolving their issues and initiating their own “recovery.” It demonstrates to the individual that they intend to become part of the recovery process, even as the participant is asking their loved one to do so. It also sends the message to the person that they will not be alone on their journey.

Q: Doesn’t a person have to hit “rock bottom” before they can really get better?
A: This belief is common among both professionals in the field of mental health and within the general population, although controversy around this belief continues to exist. The Aureus team does not believe that a person has to lose jobs/money/relationships/friendships, develop medical problems, incur legal problems, or permanently lose their lives in order to get well.

Q: What should I be doing to prepare myself for the intervention?
A: It is highly recommended that you begin to educate yourself around the dynamics of both active addiction and recovery. It is the belief of the Aureus team that education is the key to gaining a better understanding of what your friend or family member has been going through, what will be recommended during the treatment process, and what a successful recovery program entails. The more you know, the better support you can give. Reading books or addiction literature, attending a 12-step meeting, or touring a local treatment facility are good ways of learning about the disease concept of addiction and the process of recovery.
If you find that you are experiencing significant emotional distress and feel you would benefit from talking privately to a therapist or psychologist, please mention this to your intervention team. We work only with the most qualified and reputable professionals and will be able to recommend a professional to assist you.

Keeping a running list of questions, concerns, and ideas is also recommended. You can discuss these during scheduled meetings with your intervention specialist.

325 Cedar Avenue, Suite 700 651-209-7670
St. Paul, MN 55101
www.Aureusinc.com
Adapted from a form from ICM Associates, Inc.