Running head: INTERVENTIONS, THE PROCESS OF CHANGE

Interventions, The Process of Change

Elizabeth Wolf

Abstract

“The transtheoretical model of behavior change assess an individuals readiness to

act on a new healthier behavior, and provides strategies, or processes of change to guide

the individual through the stages of change to action and maintenance” ("Transtheoretical

model," 2011). The process of change is ever evolving through a process of stages. The

first stage is precontemplation, at this stage the person is not ready for change. The

second stage is contemplation; at this stage the person is becoming ready for change. The

third stage is preparation; now the individual is ready for change to take place. The fourth

stage is action, then maintenance, and finally termination. “To progress through the early

stages people apply cognitive, affective, and evaluative processes. As people move

toward action and maintenance, they rely more on commitments, conditioning,

contingencies, environmental controls and support” ("Transtheoretical model," 2011).

Introduction

“Addiction intervention and family interventions are highly structured meetings

of friends, family and co-workers coming together to inspire an addicted individual to

seek help. Often time the addicted individual is unaware or unable to see and feel the

destruction they are causing within the family” ("Addiction intervention,”). Chemical

dependency is a disease that does not discriminate; it affects people across cultures,

ethnic, educational, and socioeconomic lines. An intervention is a last resort for getting a

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Running head: INTERVENTIONS, THE PROCESS OF CHANGE

loved one the treatment they need. Usually the loved one is in denial about the

seriousness of the problem, the intervention addresses the seriousness of the situation. An

intervention is effective because it is persistent. An intervention encompasses presenting

change into an individuals thoughts, actions, and behaviors. “The goal is to show this

person how their behavior is negatively affecting themselves and others in a non-

aggressive way” (Erikson).

Discussion

When thinking and creating an intervention plan it is best to involve 3-6 people in

the intervention. It is imperative to communicate openly with one another about what the

loved one is doing that is harmful to themselves and others. “You must plan what each

person is going to say and the sequence of events for the intervention” ("How to

perform,”). Here are the steps that the ones who are concerned should go through; meet

with a professional previous to the intervention, practice the intervention, “create and

discuss a list f actions and behavioral patterns by the loved one that will no longer be

tolerated” ("How to perform,”), impart a record of probable and already experienced

losses, emphasize consequences and ultimatums if the loved one does not go through

with going to get help, you must follow through with the consequences or else they are

meaningless threats, have preparations for treatment made, begin the intervention by

defining the problem, offer immediate treatment, stress that this is for his/her good, and

finally “remember anyone can be a drug addict and the effects on his/her health is

terrible” ("How to perform,”).

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Running head: INTERVENTIONS, THE PROCESS OF CHANGE

References:

Addiction intervention. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://intervention180.com

Erikson, J. R. (n.d.). How to do an intervention. Retrieved

from http://www.ehow.com/how_5089218_do-

intervention.html

How to perform an intervention. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://wikihow.com/perform-an-intervention

Transtheoretical model. (2011, December). Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/stages_of_change_model

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