Addiction Website Releases New Guide to Help Families Through Intervention
Pompano Beach, FL (PRWEB) September 1, 2010
Recovery Connection, a website and telephone helpline for information about substance abuse and recovery, has just released a new guide to help the family and friends of an individual who is struggling with a drug or alcohol problem. The Intervention Guide, available now as a free download, offers information, tips, and advice on holding an intervention and helping a loved one into treatment.
The guide lays out in simple terms what an intervention is, who should be involved, and the suggested format, as well as contains some very specific information, such as how to handle objections that may arise, and how to write your own “intervention letter.”
“The intervention letter is at the heart of the intervention discussion,” explains Joanne Telmosse, the CEO of Recovery Connection. “We looked at dozens of successful letters for examples of what was effective. And since it can be difficult to communicate your feelings about a loved one’s drug or alcohol abuse, we put together a fill-in-the-blank worksheet to help you through the process.” The worksheet asks the letter writers to recall fond memories before drugs and alcohol took over, describe ways in which the addiction is hurting them, and to establish some “bottom lines,” or actions they will take to stop enabling the individual.
The guide also contains a chart on handling objections that may arise during the intervention. “As bad as things are for a struggling addict or alcoholic, the most common objection to going away to treatment is, ‘I can’t leave my children,’ or ‘I can’t leave my dog or cat,’” says Dr. Michael Provines, an addiction specialist from Recovery Connection that worked on the publication. “What the individual fails to realize is that it’s almost impossible to be a good parent or pet owner while addicted to drugs or alcohol.”
The objection chart recommends making arrangements for children or pets before the intervention with family or, in the case of a pet, a local kennel. It suggests saying, “You can be away from your family for a little while now instead of risking losing them forever,” or, “Aunt Sue already has a bed set up for Fido in her apartment, and the dog is here so you can say goodbye before leaving.”
Much of America is familiar with the idea of interventions from the popular A&E television show, Intervention. Dr. Provines is a fan of anything that helps educate viewers on substance abuse and how to help. However, he adds, “Interventions aren’t typically like the ones you see on television, with camera crews and the ‘made-for-TV’ drama. They are generally calm, yet emotional, affairs with the individual ultimately accepting the help that is being offered.”
Recovery Connection talks to concerned families on a daily basis, and questions about how to help their loved ones into treatment come up almost every time. “We compiled everything we know and have learned about interventions and created a resource for everyone to have access to,” says Ms. Telmosse. “Our hope is that when choosing a treatment center in the intervention process, people will consult our website for help.”
The Intervention Guide is available as a free download from the website of Lakeview Health Systems, an inpatient drug rehab center in Jacksonville, Florida.
Download URL:lakeviewhealth.com/intervention-guide.php
About RECOVERY CONNECTION:
Recovery Connection educates people about drug and alcohol addiction and available treatment options. Their website,RecoveryConnection.org, helps over 60,000 people a month. They also operate a 24-hour toll-free addiction helpline (866-483-2753) for information and advice, as well as assistance in matching individuals suffering from addiction with the appropriate treatment facilities.
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