The review begins with the development of a family intervention model and traces intervention to its present application in medical, legal and employment situations. Early intervention into the problems of a chemically dependent person is critical because the disease is: primary, chronic, progressive, fatal, treatable, characterized by denial, and allowed to continue by enabling behaviors of family, friends and colleagues. Family intervention is a highly effective means of motivating a chemically dependent person to seek treatment, and is also a therapeutic process for participating family members. However, in order to use this procedure, family members must be willing to organize and educate themselves and confront the addict in a caring, nonjudgmental way. If this is not possible, the principles used in Family Intervention can be applied in medical, legal, job, and professional settings to achieve the primary goal of motivating the person to accept help. Note, references