As a certified Interventionist, I am continually amazed at how co-dependent families almost unanimously, yet with the best intentions, actually enable addicts to continue their destructive behavior rather than help bring it to an end.
Many families, through guilt or a feeling of being responsible in some way for the addict's behavior, are under the assumption that what worked in the past such as financial or emotional support, will work again. Worse yet, as the addict's bad behavior progresses (as it always does) they become convinced that throwing more money or more energy towards the addict will somehow fix the problem.
By the time I am contacted, they are usually in the last resort phase, fully realizing that in spite of their best efforts, they are losing ground to the addiction and very close to losing their loved one for good. As I have mentioned before, Intervention is not for everyone, and part of my job is to identify and remove the weaker links and hindrances to this most crucial process.
Addiction must be looked at as a completely out of control, raging forest fire. Left to itself, it will consume anything and everything in its path without regard to the lives, safety, or feelings of whatever or whomever gets in its way. I teach my intervention participants that fighting this fire takes much more than some water to stop these ever growing flames. It will, without doubt, be one of the toughest experiences of your life yet also, one of the most rewarding acts of love as well. A concerted effort and a life or death struggle which can only be accomplished with a united, steadfast front. This fire must be cut off from all sources of fuel! The fire must be controlled and not allowed to spread any further; enough damage has been done. This fire must be put out for good, suffocated and defeated once and for all!
Then, in time, from the ashes, there will come new growth, new life and new hope for you, as well as the addict.
I cannot stress the importance of the family or group approach to this problem. YOU have been affected or you would not be reading my words right now. People who are desperate for help, searching for an answer, must come to the realization that "they" need help as well. That win or lose, live or die, they must, for their own sanity and peace of mind, begin their own healing process and not make it contingent on anyone, including their affected loved one. Surprisingly, when the addict suddenly realizes that they will no longer be allowed to manipulate you or anyone else as they continue their out of control spiral, many are brought to their knees right on the spot when confronted with their negative behavior and acts. I have witnessed amazing things happen when the loved ones of the addict take back emotional control. Re-establishing a "mental high ground" for you and the other participants is yet another step in the healing process and a key to my successful interventions.
My philosophy of "action brings change" is proven by my exemplary track record in the field of recovery. Bringing people together during difficult times, counseling and giving them the tools to be successful in their own lives as well as orchestrating a comprehensive attack on the disease (not the addict) is what my teachings and my interventions are all about. The first step of my ABC's to take the action of calling me for a no obligation, no pressure, phone consultation.
Many families, through guilt or a feeling of being responsible in some way for the addict's behavior, are under the assumption that what worked in the past such as financial or emotional support, will work again. Worse yet, as the addict's bad behavior progresses (as it always does) they become convinced that throwing more money or more energy towards the addict will somehow fix the problem.
By the time I am contacted, they are usually in the last resort phase, fully realizing that in spite of their best efforts, they are losing ground to the addiction and very close to losing their loved one for good. As I have mentioned before, Intervention is not for everyone, and part of my job is to identify and remove the weaker links and hindrances to this most crucial process.
Addiction must be looked at as a completely out of control, raging forest fire. Left to itself, it will consume anything and everything in its path without regard to the lives, safety, or feelings of whatever or whomever gets in its way. I teach my intervention participants that fighting this fire takes much more than some water to stop these ever growing flames. It will, without doubt, be one of the toughest experiences of your life yet also, one of the most rewarding acts of love as well. A concerted effort and a life or death struggle which can only be accomplished with a united, steadfast front. This fire must be cut off from all sources of fuel! The fire must be controlled and not allowed to spread any further; enough damage has been done. This fire must be put out for good, suffocated and defeated once and for all!
Then, in time, from the ashes, there will come new growth, new life and new hope for you, as well as the addict.
I cannot stress the importance of the family or group approach to this problem. YOU have been affected or you would not be reading my words right now. People who are desperate for help, searching for an answer, must come to the realization that "they" need help as well. That win or lose, live or die, they must, for their own sanity and peace of mind, begin their own healing process and not make it contingent on anyone, including their affected loved one. Surprisingly, when the addict suddenly realizes that they will no longer be allowed to manipulate you or anyone else as they continue their out of control spiral, many are brought to their knees right on the spot when confronted with their negative behavior and acts. I have witnessed amazing things happen when the loved ones of the addict take back emotional control. Re-establishing a "mental high ground" for you and the other participants is yet another step in the healing process and a key to my successful interventions.
My philosophy of "action brings change" is proven by my exemplary track record in the field of recovery. Bringing people together during difficult times, counseling and giving them the tools to be successful in their own lives as well as orchestrating a comprehensive attack on the disease (not the addict) is what my teachings and my interventions are all about. The first step of my ABC's to take the action of calling me for a no obligation, no pressure, phone consultation.
