Intervention Planning Resources

Intervention preparation checklist

• Written list of specific behaviors and events you have observed, with dates where possible.
• Basic understanding of the substance involved and the risks of withdrawal.
• A decision about whether a professional should facilitate.
• A list of participants, each confirmed and prepared.
• A rehearsal scheduled at least a few days before the conversation.
• A private, neutral location and a time when the person is likely to be sober.
• Transportation arranged for the same day, including a packed bag if admission is possible.
• Treatment options researched: at least two programs with phone numbers and costs.
• Insurance information gathered, with verification underway.
• Your own boundaries written down, one sentence each, that you can actually keep.
• A plan for the two hours after the conversation, whoever is present.
• A support group or therapist identified for each participant.

Questions to ask an interventionist

• What is your training, and how long have you been facilitating interventions?
• How do you handle a person who refuses or becomes agitated?
• What is the total cost, and what happens if the person does not go to treatment?
• Do you have financial relationships with treatment programs?
• How many preparation sessions are included, and who attends them?
• What is your policy on safety planning when there is a history of violence?
• Will you speak with our chosen treatment provider before the meeting?

Family communication guidance

• Speak from your own experience — “I noticed,” “I felt,” “I am worried” — rather than diagnosing.
• Use specific examples instead of character judgments.
• Avoid the words “always,” “never,” and “you made me.”
• Do not negotiate treatment details in the room; bring the option and the next step.
• Agree in advance that no one will argue with another participant in front of the person.
• Let silence sit. Do not fill it with pressure or threats.

Sample intervention statement structure

Treatment planning checklist

• Level of care identified based on assessment, not convenience or availability alone.
• Withdrawal risk understood; medical detox arranged where needed.
• Program licensure and accreditation confirmed.
• Costs, length of stay, and payment expectations in writing.
• Insurance benefits verified, including out-of-network costs.
• Mental health screening arranged for co-occurring conditions.
• Continuation plan discussed before admission — what happens at discharge.
• Family involvement expectations clarified with the program.

What to do if someone refuses treatment