How to Write an Intervention Letter + Example

What Is an Intervention?

An intervention is a carefully planned process designed to help a loved one recognize destructive behaviors and encourage them to seek professional help. Often used in cases of substance misuse or mental health issues, interventions can also address harmful behaviors such as gambling, eating disorders, or other unhealthy coping mechanisms. Family members and friends come together to express their love, concern, and hopes for the individual’s recovery. By sharing concrete examples of how the loved one’s behaviors affect them, the intervention team strives to motivate the individual to accept professional treatment and support.

At The Recovery Village Salem, we understand how challenging it can be to watch a loved one struggle with addiction or a mental health condition. We believe that interventions, when conducted thoughtfully, have the power to create a turning point in a person’s journey. It can be the decisive moment that encourages them to transition from denial to accepting help. If you’ve been considering an intervention for someone you love, crafting a clear, sincere intervention letter can be an essential part of that process.

What Are the Different Types of Interventions?

Before writing an intervention letter, it is helpful to understand the different types of interventions. Each type can shape the tone and approach of the letter:

1. Simple Intervention: A simple intervention can involve a close friend or family member approaching the individual one-on-one. This type of intervention is less formal and might include sharing concerns, personal observations, and how the behavior has impacted both the individual and those around them.
   
2. Classical (Johnson Model) Intervention: The classical or Johnson Model intervention is one of the most recognized. In this method, a group of significant people (family, friends, or colleagues) come together to confront the individual about their concerning behavior. They typically plan and rehearse their statements beforehand, ensuring a unified message of love, concern, and encouragement to seek treatment.
   
3. Crisis Intervention: A crisis intervention might take place in an urgent situation where the individual’s health and safety (or someone else’s) is in imminent danger. The interventioners might have to act swiftly, sometimes with the help of emergency responders or mental health professionals, to get the person into treatment immediately.
   
4. Systemic Family Intervention: The systemic approach involves the whole family exploring how patterns of interaction and communication might be enabling or worsening the person’s behavior. Instead of placing blame on the individual alone, this method aims to reshape family dynamics to better support healing.
   
5. Motivational Interviewing: While typically used in professional settings, motivational interviewing techniques can also guide an intervention. This approach focuses on empathy and open-ended questions that encourage the individual to explore their own motivations for change.
   

Each approach has its merits, and the right one depends on your loved one’s unique situation and needs. Regardless of the method you choose, remember that empathy, clarity, and a clear call to action are vital. An intervention letter can incorporate elements of these approaches to convey compassion while driving the individual to seek help.

Tips for Composing an Intervention Letter

A well-crafted intervention letter can provide structure and clarity during the actual intervention meeting. When emotions run high, reading a concise, heartfelt letter ensures your message is fully communicated. Consider the following tips when composing your intervention letter:

1. Open with Love and Concern: Start by expressing genuine love and concern for your loved one. Let them know how important they are to you and how much you value your relationship. Acknowledging their worth can make your letter more receptive to them and set a positive tone for the difficult messages that follow.
   
2. Use Specific Examples: Vague statements such as “You’ve been acting differently” can be easy for the individual to dismiss or dispute. Instead, provide concrete examples of how their behavior has changed over time and how it is affecting both them and the people who care about them. Use honest, respectful language rather than critical or accusatory words.
   
3. Explain the Impact on You: Describe how your loved one’s actions have impacted you personally. This step can be particularly powerful because it brings the consequences of their behavior closer to home. Avoid placing blame, but be clear about the emotional, mental, or even financial toll their actions have taken.
   
4. Emphasize Hope and Help: After discussing concerns, it is vital to reiterate that professional help can turn their life around. Reference resources such as The Recovery Village Salem or other reputable treatment centers. Emphasize that recovery is possible and that you are committed to supporting them through the process.
   
5. Set Boundaries: While showing compassion and expressing the desire to help, it’s also important to establish healthy boundaries. An intervention letter may outline steps you will take if your loved one refuses treatment—this could include withholding financial support, limiting contact, or ceasing enabling behaviors. Boundaries are not meant to punish; rather, they are designed to protect both your well-being and encourage accountability.
   
6. Keep Your Tone Empathetic and Firm: Balancing compassion with conviction can be challenging, but it is critical to convey that the situation is serious. Avoid shaming, lecturing, or using threatening language. Instead, maintain a calm, matter-of-fact tone that conveys concern and a strong desire for positive change.
   
7. Be Clear About Your Request: End your letter with a direct and clear call to action, such as accepting professional treatment at The Recovery Village Salem. Clarity is essential—this moment is an opportunity to show your loved one the path forward.
   

Taking the time to write a thoughtful intervention letter is worth the investment. It can serve as a record of your concerns and love, which your loved one can refer back to if they become resistant or discouraged later. By weaving compassion, specificity, and structure into your letter, you maximize the potential for it to reach your loved one’s heart and open their mind to recovery.

Intervention Letter Example

Below is a sample intervention letter that illustrates the principles outlined above. Feel free to adjust the content, tone, and details to suit your unique circumstances:

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Dear [Loved One],

I want you to know how much I love you and how grateful I am for the wonderful memories we have shared. You have always been an important part of my life, and I admire your humor, your kindness to others, and your sense of adventure. It is because I care so deeply about you that I can’t stay silent about some of the troubling things I’ve noticed lately.

Over the past year, I’ve watched your drinking grow more frequent. You often come home late at night, and sometimes I’ve found bottles hidden in unusual places around the house. When we spend time together, you’re either withdrawn or short-tempered, and it feels like the spark that once made you shine so brightly is disappearing. A few weeks ago, when you missed our family gathering because you were passed out, it confirmed my fear that your alcohol use is affecting your ability to show up for the people you love—and for yourself.

I feel especially heartbroken remembering the times you promised to cut back but didn’t follow through. Those broken promises have caused me great worry, and I am concerned that you’re hurting yourself more than you may realize. Your physical health is suffering, and I see changes in your emotional well-being, too. It seems as if you’ve drifted away from activities you used to enjoy, and I worry that you’re slipping deeper into isolation.

I have been enabling you to some extent by making excuses for your absences, hiding the truth from extended family members, and even providing you with money. I realize now that my actions, though well-intentioned, might have allowed the cycle to continue. Going forward, I can’t continue to do these things because I love you too much to watch you harm yourself further.

I truly believe there is help available and that, with the right support, you can overcome the grip alcohol has on your life. I can’t stress enough how much better life can be once you decide to get help and truly commit to changing your path.

It’s very important to me that you know I will be with you every step of the way if you choose to accept help. I will drive you to appointments, attend family counseling sessions, and support you as you learn healthier coping tools. However, if you decide not to seek help at this time, I must also let you know there will be changes in how I interact with you. I will no longer cover for your absences or lend you money. Although it pains me to put these boundaries in place, I cannot stand by and watch you continue on this dangerous path.

Please consider seeking treatment. I believe in your strength and your ability to overcome this challenge, and I know that with professional help, you can reclaim the bright, vibrant future you deserve.

With all my love,
[Your Name]

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This example highlights how to balance love, concern, and boundaries. By opening with affection, illustrating specific instances of harm, and offering concrete treatment options, the letter aims to provide clarity and hope. A transparent boundary statement ensures that your loved one understands the gravity of the situation, while the loving tone remains consistent throughout.

Interventions can be emotionally intense, but they can also serve as a powerful catalyst for change. Every person’s circumstances are unique, and it is essential to adapt your intervention letter to your loved one’s personality, history, and relationship dynamics. By following these guidelines and maintaining an empathetic, honest approach, you increase the likelihood of your loved one taking the first brave step toward recovery.

If you need more information or guidance, The Recovery Village Salem is here to help. Our experienced staff can provide insight into planning an intervention, offer support throughout the process, and create a personalized plan for your loved one once they decide to seek help. Recovery is possible, and you do not have to navigate this journey alone. Contact us today to get started.