Writing an Intervention Letter

Writing an Intervention letter is an essential component of the intervention process.  Two types of letters are;  The Emotional Appeal Letter and Consequence Letter.  These letters are a necessary part of the intervention process. Preparation is the key to writing these letters. These letters are the voice that the loved one has to the one needing help.  When writing an intervention letter, use love and respect.  The letters should avoid expressing anger towards the loved one.  Let’s take a look at each letter and its components.

Writing an Intervention letter is an essential component of the intervention process.  Two types of letters are;  The Emotional Appeal Letter and Consequence Letter.  These letters are an integral part of the intervention process. Preparation is the key to writing these letters. These letters are the voice that the loved one has to the one needing help.  When writing an intervention letter, use love and respect.  The letters should avoid expressing anger towards the loved one.  Let’s take a look at each letter and its components.

The Emotional Appeal Letter

Section One:  The “Connection”

This section expresses the positive things that connected you in the past.  You can use humor. Gratitude

Section Two:  The “Change”

This is the shifting in behavior and how you noticed the change.  List the things that you notice first hand.  Let your loved one know how their actions made you feel, use “I” statements.

Section Three:  The “Help”

This section use is to request, “Will you accept help today”?
We don’t say “Will you go to treatment for 90 days”?  This can and will put the brakes on the entire intervention. The client will start asking various questions.

Bottom Line or Consequence Letter

The second letter is the Consequence letter.  The family reads this letter if the client refuses treatment. The Consequence Letter defines the change if the client leaves treatment. The message must be clear and concise and something that you can uphold.

Some examples included within typical Consequences Letters are:

“I am sorry that you did not accept this gift, but I can no longer have you reside in this home.  I am doing this because it is killing me to watch you kill yourself.”

“You can’t call me unless it is to say that you want treatment.”

“We will be no longer willing to pay the bills for you. If you aren’t paying your bills, that gives you money for your drug habit.”

“I am no longer going to lie to other family members concerning your addiction. I can no longer protect you from your unhealthy decisions.”

When writing an intervention letter, it is best not to share your letter with anyone except the intervention specialist.  If you need help in preparing an intervention letter, contact New Life Recovery Services at 1-800-817-0951 or  https://www.newliferecoveryservices.com/