FAQs



 
  • What is addiction?
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  • Why can’t my loved one just stop on his/her own?
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  • Doesn’t my addicted loved one have to ‘hit bottom’ or decide for his or her self before getting help?
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  • What is an Intervention?
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  • How does an Intervention work when family and friends have tried to get him/her to stop and haven’t been successful?
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  • How do I know if Intervention is the best course of action?
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  • Do we need a professional Intervention Specialist?
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  • Aren’t all interventionists alike?
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  • Do you only recommend certain treatment centers that you are affiliated with?
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    • What is addiction?
    Addiction, a.k.a. dependence, is a primary, chronic progressive brain disease which, left untreated, will most likely lead to jails, institutions and/or death.  The addicted individual continues drinking, using and/or maladaptive behaviors despite negative consequences such as problems at home or work and/or legal problems such as being arrested for DUI or possession of a controlled substance.  The addicted individual has lost the ability to limit or control his/her addicted behavior.  Basically, addiction, whether to a substance such as alcohol, drugs or food, or to a proces such as gambling or the internet, is anything that has taken over the individual’s life.  For example, he/she may plan on having ‘just the one’ drink, but finds him/herself closing the bar.  The alcoholic/addicted individual has also developed tolerance.  This means that he/she needs greater amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect.     

    Once addicted, the individual has physical as well as psychological dependence.  Physical dependence is evident when he/she experiences cravings and, when deprived of the substance, will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety.  Psychological dependence is evident when the addicted individual is obsessed with thoughts of obtaining and using the substance. [Back to the top]

     

    • Why can’t my loved one just stop on his/her own?

    As mentioned above, addiction is a brain disease.  The brains of those who have become dependent on alcohol and/or drugs have literally been rewired.  The pre-frontal cortex is the most recently developed area of the human brain.  This part of the brain is responsible for our ability to make decisions and control impulses.  In addicts, this part of the brain is basically shut down.  This is why it is so difficult for your addicted loved one to understand the logical reasons you present to him/her to stop drinking and/or using.  Without proper treatment, the odds of successfully recovering from this disease are very slim; it always gets worse.  

    Recovery, such as working a 12-Step Program like Alcoholics Anonymous, is the healing process.  It is learning about the disease and the skills and tools necessary to cope with life in healthy ways, to be sober and be happy.  Working a recovery program, getting proper nutrition, sleep and exercise combine to re-awaken that part of the brain that has been ‘shut down’.  

    The level of your loved one’s addiction determines the level of initial treatment.  For example, if your loved one’s drinking/using is very heavy and out of control, an inpatient treatment program may be recommended as a starting point of recovery.  Your loved one will ‘graduate’ to less intensive levels as he/she progresses in his/her recovery. [Back to the top]

     

    • Doesn’t my addicted loved one have to ‘hit bottom’ or decide for his or her self before getting help?

    Of course not!  You don’t have to, nor should you, stand by and watch your loved one and your family suffer.  You don’t have to wait until a tragedy occurs to do something about the situation.  Alcohol, drug, food and/or process addiction is a disease, and follows a predictable and progressive course.  Like cancer, left untreated, it always gets worse.  Each day of unchecked addictive behavior causes the addicted individual to be even less able to make a good decision than the day before, thereby decreasing the chance of a spontaneous moment of clarity.  Intervention will occur, whether it’s through us (you, myself, family and friends) or society (jails or institutions) or death (his/her body will shut down).  Unless your alcohol and/or drug-addicted loved one gets the help, he/she needs, he/she will die prematurely.  The important thing is to take action as soon as possible before the other modes of intervention occur! [Back to the top] 

     

    • What is an Intervention?

    Intervention is a process by which the harmful, progressive and destructive effects of addiction are interrupted and the addicted individual is motivated to accept the gift of treatment, stop the addictive behavior and develop new, healthier ways of coping.  It is a carefully orchestrated, structured, unified presentation made by those closest to the addicted individual.  It is a kind, loving and caring event, the purpose of which is to break through the addicted individual’s denial and wall of defenses.  It is not a punishment, nor is it an opportunity for participants to attack and/or vent frustration or anger.  Intervention provides a forum for the truth to be expressed by all.  It is a catalyst for positive change for everyone involved.  It is a spiritual experience, a group declaration of love.  It is an opportunity to face this issue as a united group and get it out into the open.  Intervention may be your one shot to come together as a family and say, ‘we’ve all made mistakes but I’m not doing that anymore!’  It is a very healing and therapeutic undertaking. 

    I believe Intervention is the best method for getting your loved one into treatment, getting your family back on track and bringing about a positive change for all involved.  An intervention is the starting point of the transformation of your family from a place of fear, guilt, stress and dysfunction toward a happy, healthy, functional family! [Back to the top]

     

    • How does an Intervention work when family and friends have tried to get him/her to stop and haven’t been successful?

    Family and friends frequently feel frustrated, hopeless, helpless and powerless with regards to their addicted loved one.  Many have contacted doctors, counselors, and pastors for help.  Many family and friends have tried being nice, being tough, offered ‘rewards’ and have begged and pleaded with their addicted loved one to stop using, but to no avail.  Addicted individuals can find it quite easy to ignore, minimize or even agree with the occasional, individual expression of concern regarding his/her use, with no change in their behavior. 

    Research shows that formally confronted chemically dependent individuals had an enhanced readiness for treatment and recovery.  Such facilitation prevents the need for family and friends of the chemically dependent from having to passively suffer from the consequences of the addicted individual’s behavior for many years while awaiting the chemically dependent’s spontaneous request for help.   

    The process of Intervention is designed to accelerate and concentrate the expression of concerns by the members of the social network members into a focused confrontation, rather than having these expressions occur sporadically, spontaneously, and in a non-constructive and uncoordinated manner. 

    The intervention process, which consists of a unified front of those closest to the addicted individual, armed with courage, conviction, knowledge, truth and personal feelings can be like a laser beam cutting through warm butter! [Back to the top]

     

    • How do I know if Intervention is the best course of action?

    Answering yes or no to the following questions can help determine whether an intervention is the best course to take:

    Has your alcohol and/or drug addicted loved one…

    1.  …greatly increased the use of the substance and now drinks/uses drugs every day?

    2.  …drank and/or used first thing in the morning?

    3.  …had ‘blackouts’ where he/she does not recall events that occurred while drinking/using?

    4.  …been asked by loved ones, including family, friends, employer and/or colleagues to reduce or stop the drinking and/or using?

    5.  …resisted or ignored such suggestions?

    6.  …denied that he/she has a problem with drinking and/or drugging?

    7.  …denied that he/she needs help?

    8.  …attempted to control or decrease his/her drinking/drugging but was unsuccessful?

    9.  …attempted to stop on his/her own but was unsuccessful?

    10.  …experienced negative consequences such as relationship problems, loss of job, loss of housing and/or been arrested due to drinking/drugging?

    Have you ever…

    1.  …denied that your loved one has a problem?

    2.  …felt embarrassed or ashamed by your loved one’s actions or behavior while he/she was intoxicated?

    3.  …lied to protect your loved one from experiencing the consequences of drinking/drugging such as, calling his/her employer to make excuses for alcohol/drug-related absences or tardiness?

    4.  …defended or made excuses for his/her drinking/drugging such as, ‘he’s been under a lot of stress lately’?

    5.  …cancelled social events that might result in excessive drinking/drugging?

    6.  …provided your loved one with money, transportation or shelter that you knew would contribute to his/her use?

    7.  …felt responsible for your loved one’s drinking/drug use?

    8.  …hidden or disposed of liquor/drugs to keep them from your loved one?

    9.  …felt that you were going crazy because he/she convinces you that something was one way, when you know it was another?

    10.  …been physically, emotionally and/or sexually abused by your loved one when he/she was under the influence?

    *If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to some of the above questions, an intervention may be necessary.  [Back to the top]

     

    • Do we need a professional Intervention Specialist?

    As aforementioned, the intervention process is highly structured and carefully planned and organized.  I do not recommend attempting an intervention without a trained, professional Intervention Specialist.  Guidance from a trained Intervention Specialist is recommended in order to achieve the best possible outcome for your addicted loved one, as well as for you and your family. 

    Research shows that individuals suffering from alcohol and/or drug addiction who were confronted by their family and friends were significantly more likely to enter detox or treatment programs and remain continuously abstinent than were non-confronted individuals.  This study suggests that the alcoholic’s social network (family and friends) can be helped to become highly influential in motivating the individual to seek treatment.  As an Intervention Specialist, my job is to educate you and your family about addiction and treatment, its’ impact on your lives, your role in the disease and the intervention process.  I teach you how to work together as a team to motivate your loved one into treatment. 

    It’s important for you to know that thousands of concerned individuals have successfully intervened on loved ones’ suffering from addiction; and thousands of those who intervened as well as those who were intervened upon, are living happy, healthy, normal lives because of it! [Back to the top]

     

    • Aren’t all interventionists alike?

    Interventionists are as different from each other as are doctors, lawyers and therapists.  Each interventionist has their own unique education, training, personal experience and style, and bring with them certain skills and tools.  Some are certified addiction counselors, some strictly academic, while others have personally experienced the dysfunction caused by alcohol and/or drug addiction, or any combination thereof. I bring all of the above to the table.  [Back to the top]

     

    • Do you only recommend certain treatment centers that you are affiliated with?

    No.  I am not affiliated with any treatment center.  My recommendations are based on what I determine is the best possible treatment for you, your family and your addicted loved one.  I do not accept referral ‘bonuses’ from any treatment center.  [Back to the top]

     

     

    Call or e-mail now for your FREE consultation!

    Linda@SYFInterventions.com or 1-858-922-1271

     

     

     
    Linda

    Linda Reedy, MSW, LCSW
    Intervention Specialist
    Owner of
    Save Your Family Interventions


    Linda@SYFInterventions.com
    (858) 922-1271

     

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