If you are searching for how to do an intervention, first clarify what you want help with: opening a conversation, finding family support, or discussing treatment options. A group meeting is not the only way to start.
This guide provides a planning worksheet and questions to ask a professional. It does not prescribe a confrontation or predict whether someone will enter treatment.
Start with a safe conversation
Healthdirect recommends choosing a private time when the person is not affected by alcohol or drugs, listening without judgement and avoiding confrontation. If they become upset, you can pause.
If there is immediate danger or someone is seriously unwell, call 000. If violence threatens your safety, move to safety and seek help. Do not try to manage an emergency through a planned family meeting.
Write a small, specific purpose
A useful purpose might be: "Ask whether they would like a confidential appointment to discuss their options." Write the purpose down before approaching them.
Prepare three notes:
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation's conversation guide supports respectful questions, maintaining trust and leaving room to talk again. Avoid searching private belongings or communications to assemble a case against the person.
Get advice before arranging a group meeting
Ask a GP, alcohol and drug counsellor or family support service to help you decide how to approach the conversation. Tell them about previous conflict or safety concerns.
If you consider paying someone to facilitate a meeting, ask:
These are RehabFinder's editorial due-diligence questions, not an endorsement of a facilitator or a treatment method.
Ask what an outcome claim actually measures
If someone quotes a "success rate", ask for the original evidence and its limitations. Does success mean an appointment, treatment entry, completion or a later health outcome? Ask who was studied, where and when, and whether the figure applies to the proposed service.
A study's treatment-entry result is not a personal forecast or an Australian provider's recovery rate. This guide offers no percentage guarantee for an intervention.
Prepare options without promising admission
If the person wants information, record a small number of options and what remains unknown:
Ask the treatment service to explain its assessment process. Do not describe an enquiry, assessment appointment or payment as a confirmed admission.
Our rehab admission checklist helps structure this call. The detox and rehab guide provides questions about how different stages of care are arranged.
Make a plan for either response
If they agree to speak with someone, ask whether they want you present and what support would be useful. Agree who will make the call and when.
If they decline, leave the information available and arrange support for yourself. Use our guide to helping someone who refuses rehab for questions about barriers and practical next steps.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation advises setting clear, workable boundaries that fit the situation, with professional support where needed. Treat boundaries as limits on what you can offer, not a promise that pressure will produce treatment.
Australian support and next steps
The Australian Government lists Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186, a 24-hour national family support line, and Counselling Online, a free, confidential service available around the clock.
You can also call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. It connects to state or territory support; the published South Australian hours are 8.30 am–10 pm.
When comparing services, browse the directory and ask providers to confirm their published information. RehabFinder helps organise options; the treatment team makes the clinical assessment.