Heather Fisher Professional Drug & Alcohol Interventionist

Intervention

Caring

Intervening shows that you see someone as they are, and you want to help them change.

Hope

Individuals, when given the opportunity, can fully recover and lead beautiful, prosperous lives.

Love

Helping the family to speak from the heart is an honoring, validating act of love.

Urgent

Time is of the essence. Addiction is a matter of life or death and acting quickly is often vital.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is NOT an ambush, a deception, a betrayal, a gang-up, an attack, a fight, or a punishment. An intervention is simply an interruption. It is a call to action. It is the last resort. It is a hostage negotiation. It is proof that family and friends have not given up. It is a gift that gives the loved one something to fight for. It is a solution. An intervention is an orchestrated attempt by one or many people, usually members of the individual’s support system, to encourage, guide, and offer someone professional help with an addiction, traumatic event, crisis, or other unhealthy behavior that is impacting the quality of their life.

What does an Intervention include?

FREE Pre-Assessment

Before committing to utilizing my services, I will perform a free clinical assessment of the individual and the family's needs before proceeding. It is important to consider all aspects of your loved one's current behavior into consideration and any preexisting health conditions to ensure that performing an intervention and deciding what kind of intervention will set them up for success.

Best Client to Treatment Match

I have personally vetted, toured, and have a working relationship with all possible treatment providers and facilities I may refer you to. It is vital to find the best facility or clinicians to meet your loved ones' needs to keep them supported on track to finish their entire treatment stay successfully.

Insurance Authorization

I will help you understand what kinds of treatment your insurance will cover and get you exact quotes for all potential options. I can also match you to facilities based on what is financially appropriate for the family and individual's needs.

Negotiate Treatment Contract

I will assist you in figuring out what types of treatment make the most sense for your loved one and at what cost is reasonable. I will help you navigate and fully understand the entire payment process with insurance, facilities, and the resources they offer.

Pre-Intervention Coaching

At this point in the process, I will work with each member of the intervention tea in creating a plan for the time of the intervention and assist the family in writing letters and hearing and addressing their needs concerns.

Medical Detoxification Planning

If your loved one is still in active addiction, especially when using illicit substances, it is vital to get them set up with a detoxification program for safety and medical reasons.

Treatment Placement Planning

I will assist you in scheduling a time and date for your loved one stating treatment and help you in the process of reserving a bed.

Medical Escort planning

If your loved one is getting on a plane, traveling a long distance, or the intervention team is not available to aid, I can help you get connected to a certified medical escort who will get your loved one safely to treatment.

Intervention Completion

I will work with the intervention team to effectively manage their involvement and relationship with their loved ones and provide support while the individual is in treatment.

Post-Treatment Follow-up

I provide relapse prevention services up to 3 years after the individual has completed treatment to maintain growth and long-term sobriety, recovery, or stability from the problem behavior, addiction, or mental health condition.

Types of Interventions

Just as no two situations are the same, no two interventions are the same. There are, however, four general approaches to interrupting dangerous and self-destructive behavior.

The level of readiness to change and individual exhibits determine the intervention approach. This determination can be used with chemical addiction, process addiction, and some mental health disorders, including eating disorders.

Surprise Intervention

The surprise approach is a structured and well-rehearsed production. A support team is chosen consisting of those who are committed to supporting the recovery, not the addiction, and usually consists of 4-6 people. A team meeting is scheduled without the knowledge of the person of concern. During this meeting, the team reviews and discusses addiction education, family system education, and intervention preparation information.

Invitational Intervention

The invitational approach is more relaxed and less structured. It differs from the surprise model in three distinct ways. First, the meeting is usually smaller, more intimate, and more relaxed, consisting of 2-3 people. Second, the person of concern is informed about the meeting and invited to attend. Third, it does not include the formality of writing letters. Concerns are discussed, and solutions are presented in a more open forum.

Family Intervention

The family approach is a process, not an event. This approach rolls with resistance. It requires weeks of committed family coaching that in turn creates favorable, non-confrontational motivation that drives the person of concern to get the necessary help and re-align with the family.

Crisis Intervention

The crisis approach is an immediate response requiring fast on your feet creative thinking and strategic action. This is an approach used when time is critical, for example, a shut-in who is in danger of self-harm, during hospitalization due to overdose, accident or mental health legal hold, an arrest, or if the person of concern is in treatment and is threatening to leave early.

Stages Of Change

Close up of man holding a glass of vodka and stretches hand as if he wants to say: I do not need your help. Drunk young people. (alcoholism, pain, pity, hopelessness, social problem of dependence concept)

Pre Contemplation

“I don’t have a problem”
Man detained in handcuffs indoors, closeup view. Criminal law

Contemplation

“I’ll think about it”
new-1

Planning

“I need a plan”
Close up of man holding a glass of vodka and stretches hand as if he wants to say: I do not need your help. Drunk young people. (alcoholism, pain, pity, hopelessness, social problem of dependence concept)

Action

“I’m taking action”

Intervention Specialist

It is important to find a credible, certified, and experienced intervention specialist when trying to get help for your loved one. Choosing someone you trust and can connect with is important because honesty and vulnerability are a massive part of the intervention process. If you are unsure if you need an intervention specialist, it could be a good idea to reach out to one and get their feedback. If the situation is not severe, you may realize that:

  • Maybe all that is needed are the right words. Follow the letter guide on this website. It provides the necessary script.
  • Maybe all that is needed is permission. No rule says, “Stay stuck with the way things are.”
  • Maybe all that is needed is a recommendation for the proper treatment.
  • Maybe all that is needed is a brief consultation to critique the plan.

There is no charge for a call or email to determine if a professional is necessary for your intervention.

Writing an Intervention Letter

Why Is a Letter so Important?

Families, friends, and employers have tried saying what is on our minds, and it has not worked. It causes defenses and makes things worse. The only way to be heard is if it is coming from the heart. A letter is a valuable tool. It is a well-written script that offers the solution.

Reading letters breaks through the addicted person’s protective defense of denial. Letters also help prevent distractions, spontaneous anger, and freezing up.

After presenting your letter, the silence is broken, the secret is out, and you have forever spoiled any fun that may have been left in using. They are used at the intervention, and they are used later by the treatment team.

What Should the Letter Say?

The letter should be no longer than one page and should take about two minutes to read.

There are three parts to the letter:

Part One:

  • A statement of gratitude
  • A time when he/she has been helpful or inspired you.
  • A past accomplishment, a time when you have been proud of him/her.
  • A heartfelt memory.
  • State that you understand them; sympathize.
  • Indicate how you imagine that they might be feeling. “I imagine that you feel attacked.”
  • Apologize if an apology is in order. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you. I’m here now.”
  • Maintain a clear and positive tone.

 Part Two: Express Concern

  • The user thinks they are hiding their behavior. Tell them that you see them.
  • Recall several specific instances that detail the problem.
  • Provide first-hand knowledge, not hearsay.
  • Present direct, specific, factual, and descriptive information
  • “I saw you…”
  • The information should be tied directly to their using.
  • The information should be detailed.
  • “Your eyes were glazed; your walk was unsteady.”

 Part Three: Express how you feel.

  • Express the necessity of treatment, that you only want him/her to get better than ask him/her to accept help.
  • Tell him/her about your commitment to getting help (personal counseling, meetings, reading)
  • Include the consequence that will take effect immediately if he/she does not accept help.

 Be Aware of:

  • Giving opinions
  • Judging, intimidating, belittling, or labeling
  • Expressing anger or blame
  • Sugarcoating or minimizing the seriousness of your message.
  • Do not apologize for writing your letter.
  • Do not apologize for participating in the intervention.
  • Do not tell him/her to leave treatment if they don’t like it.

Heather Fisher

Heather is triple board certified in three clinical specialties: intervention, family dynamics and relapse prevention. She has acquired over 50,000 hours in addiction and mental health studies and training and years of experience. As one of the nation’s preferred and leading experts in this specialized field, she is known for successful outcomes in the most complicated cases. She is highly skilled at negotiating change using motivational techniques such as tactical empathy and emotional intelligence while preserving the privacy, dignity, and respect of her clients.