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For more information please email Carmen Accetta at:
c.accetta@comcast.net

An Overview of the Intervention Process

I Offer Two Types of Intervention: Invitational and Non-invitational.

Interventionists have various approaches to intervention.  I offer two types of intervention:  an invitational model in which the addict knows what is occurring and is invited to the sessions plus a model where the intervention is a surprise.   We can discuss which might be better or more comfortable for you.  I describe each type below.

Invitational Intervention

This type of intervention can occasionally be over in one session.  It might also take multiple sessions, but the people doing the intervention determine how many sessions they are willing to continue meeting before they switch to a non-meeting strategy.

Your addicted loved one is invited to the first and any subsequent sessions.  They are held whether or not he comes.

This type can start out with fewer participants on the team, and more can be added as the process unfolds.  It is usually a little more informal at the start and becomes more structured if necessary.

The goals of both types are the same:  to present reality in a way that it can be received so that the addict can accept the need for treatment and actually begin.  We can discuss the details and advantages of each before you choose which type you prefer.

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Non-Invitational Intervention

This type has a set number of sessions of carefully structured assessment, preparation and rehearsal leading up to the actual intervention session.  In this type, it is highly important that the addicted individual does not know ahead of time that it is occurring.  Therefor, the addict only attends the intervention session itself.

It can involve more participants than the invitational intervention, and the sessions start out with the whole team participating from the start.  The goals are the same as above.

For both types, I strongly recommend one or more follow up sessions after the intervention whether the intervention is immediately successful or not.  These are not mandatory but can be very helpful.