Classic Intervention

The classic intervention consists of family members and is conducted by an interventionist i.e. a trained therapist. Family members often have the greatest amount of information indicating a possible problem with chemical misuse. They are also emotionally significant to the person being intervened upon. Some of the difficulties with this type of intervention, however, are overcoming the existing family roles and dynamics. The family has probably enabled the pilot’s drinking or using over time, and the pilot will use that fact as a rationalization to discount their current concern. Also, the pilot will have developed some strong defense mechanisms in relationship to any specific family member. It is also often difficult for the family members to provide credible negative consequences to the pilot in that they love him and are often financially dependent upon him. All of these obstacles and problems can be overcome and, in many cases, a family intervention is the most effective of all types in breaking through an addicted pilot’s denial. However, it should be clear that an intervention of this type needs professional assistance and that family members should not attempt to conduct an intervention without help.