Why should you consider hiring an interventionist?Why should you consider hiring an interventionist?
I Love Being Sober
Tim Westbrook talks with interventionist Carey Davidson about what interventions involve, why families often feel stuck, and how professional guidance can support lasting recovery. The episode focuses on practical steps for concerned loved ones, the importance of education, and the role of long-term support for both families and individuals.
36:38•24 Jun 2020
Why Hiring an Interventionist Can Change the Whole Family’s Story
Episode Overview
- Ask the person directly if they’re willing to get help, but avoid letting the conversation turn into a family argument.
- Recognise addiction as a family-wide issue and seek education about the disease model rather than relying on assumptions.
- Understand that "a successful intervention is change" and it doesn’t require the person to fully want help before starting.
- Look for interventionists with formal education, clear methods, solid references, and independence from specific treatment centres.
- Plan for ongoing support after treatment, as people may leave treatment better but "they don’t come out fixed" and need continued guidance.
“The biggest form of enabling is not talking about it.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation between host Tim Westbrook and seasoned interventionist Carey Davidson offers a straight-talking look at what interventions are really about and why families might consider getting professional help sooner rather than later. Carey shares his own path from high-functioning drinker in a "great career" to losing almost everything, multiple rehabs, and eventually long-term recovery.
He jokes that early on he was trying to "juggle Jell-O" by keeping life and drinking balanced, until it all fell apart. That experience fuels his work with families today. The episode breaks down what an intervention actually is: a structured process where a trained professional guides families to create change, not just push someone into treatment.
Carey contrasts his early, untrained work — "the tool I had was a hammer" — with his current clinically informed approach that looks at addiction as a family-wide issue, not just "little Johnny’s problem". You’ll hear about common myths, like the belief that someone has to want help before anything can be done.
Carey counters this with one of his key ideas: "A successful intervention is change," and families can help a loved one "stop digging" long before they hit the stereotypical rock bottom. For anyone feeling stuck with a son, daughter, partner or friend in active addiction, the chat offers concrete starting points: ask directly about getting help (without turning it into a fight), learn about the disease model, and find support groups where other families share similar experiences.
There’s also practical guidance on how to vet an interventionist and why post-treatment support for both the individual and the family can make the difference between a brief improvement and lasting recovery. If you’ve been quietly stepping over the proverbial rug at home, this episode might be the nudge to start talking and seek the right kind of support. What small step could you take today to change the story for your family?
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