The focus of this type of intervention is on the entire family system rather than on the identified addict.
The goal of the systemic intervention is to provide hope where there once was despair for the whole family; to empower those who have been consumed by their loved one’s addiction and to guide the entire family toward lasting change.
Feeling helpless can cause fear, frustration and anger in both the identified addict and the rest of the family system. It is commonly recognized that change is most difficult for the people closest to the identified addict. It is usually a big surprise for the family system to realize that they are as sick as the identified addict.
Recovery For All 
Good morning Ms. George, tell me more!
Hi Urdreamphotography,
I apologize ahead of time for the length of my response .
There are two basic types of interventions. The difference between these two intervention types is monumental.
Background:
The norm for both family members and the identified addict is to not be honest with each other because they do not trust each other nor can they empathize with each other’s concerns. The family may want to set up an intervention which will overwhelm the addict.
Family members want to fix the identified addict. Their hopes are that if the addict will just go to formal treatment, stop addictive behavior and generally be a respectable person that all of their problems will go away.
The family members focus is on blaming the addict for most of the family problems. When using the “individual intervention” process, the focus is on the identified addict. The family may even believe it is their job to be hypervigilant just in case the addict starts showing signs of addictive behavior. The family is totally focused on the behavior of the addict. The addict can feel their eyes on him. He knows he is “under watch.” This tactic can be very distracting to the addict who may be doing his best to “work” an honest program of recovery.
Let’s suppose for a moment that the recovering addict successfully completes treatment for his addictive behavior and is well on his way to recovery. He attends 12-Step meetings, has a same sex sponsor and has not relapsed back into his old behavior. What about the rest of the damaged family system?
This type of intervention can be likened to finding a whole family who has fallen into the ocean without life vests. Family members are all in extreme distress and fear for their lives. The “Interventionist” rescue boat sees the whole family sinking but only throws one life preserver to the identified addict.
The first type of intervention focuses on an individual as the client. In the second type of intervention, the whole family is the client. I believe that the focus of the intervention works best if it is on the entire family system rather than selectively on the addict.
Ms. George