In California, a nonprofit organization called the Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara County is now providing a public educational program, “Mental Health First Aid,” which includes an interactive 12-hour course on how to identify mental health risk factors and warning signs of substance abuse problems in others, and how to respond to these situations through management of treatment options. The new public program is funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The MHSA, otherwise known as California Proposition 63, gained passage in 2004 and supports the state’s Department of Mental Health with funding, staff, training, and resources for county mental health programs. The groundbreaking initiative was the first in several years to commence progress monitoring of county children, at-risk adolescents, adults, seniors, and families that are treated through the Department’s prevention and intervention services. With the new “Mental Health First Aid” program, the Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara County will begin training participants on a 5-step action plan to effectively help those in need of mental health outreach.

The Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara County is staffed by certified trainers in mental health first aid who then teach members of the public—including individuals from nonprofit organizations, the public sector, and local businesses—the knowledge to recognize a mental health crisis, the necessary skills needed to intervene, and awareness of appropriate treatment resources like professional help, social groups, and self-help options. As a part of their training, participants are actually run through practice scenarios of mental health crises so that they have the chance to test their intervention skills and understand how to adapt their techniques to real-life situations, whether it be a mental health intervention, drug intervention, or alcohol intervention. Once a participant has successfully completed the training program, he or she will become certified as a Mental Health First Aider and considered prepared to handle mental health crises in their communities. Their certified training ensures that these individuals are prepared to intervene during life-threatening scenarios like overdose from substance use, suicide attempts, or emotional breakdowns and panic attacks, and potentially save the life of a person in serious need.

Usually, someone experiencing a mental health crisis is treated by clinical physicians, police officers, or other emergency personnel; but there are times when these professionals are not the first on the scene of the incident. By learning how to properly respond to these events, any member of the community can become a certified Mental Health First Aider and assist someone with their mental health problem until professional emergency personnel arrive. Not only does the Mental Health First Aid program teach community members how to support one another and save lives, but it also spreads awareness of the prevalence of mental health issues and helps reduces stigmas that surround mental conditions and substance abuse disorders. Instead of turning away from someone with a mental health crisis, everyday citizens are taught to give a helping hand. According to the Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara County, participants of their training program actually gain a sense of self-worth and knowledge as they become more aware of mental illness and their community’s available mental health resources.

To find out more about the Mental Health First Aid training program, visit the Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara’s website at www.mhainsb.org or call (805) 884-8440.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and led by Dr. Patricia Conrod, looked at 2,506 adolescents with a mean age of about 14, and asked questions that assess risks for substance abuse with regards to impulsive behavior, sensitivity to anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and sensation seeking. Of the students, 1, 159 were identified as being at high risk for substance abuse. Of these students, 624 went through an intervention, and 384 did not receive an intervention.

The interventions were two 90-minute group sessions that were held by education professionals who underwent a rigorous 3-day workshop and supervision. Although the interventions, called the Adventure Trial, are designed to analyze mental health symptoms, academic achievement, and substance abuse over a two-year period, the authors focused on six-month outcomes of binge drinking and alcohol-related problems.

Study author and trial coordinator Maeve O’Leary-Barrett said that the interventions significantly decreased the risk of drinking alcohol after six months. Those who didn’t receive the interventions were 1.7 times more likely to drink alcohol than those who received the intervention.

Those who received the interventions also reported lower binge-drinking rates among those who initially reported alcohol use. Compared with those who didn’t receive the interventions, participants were 55% less likely to binge drink after six months. Those who were at high risk for substance abuse reported less alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related problems compared to those who didn’t receive interventions.

The authors conclude that their study suggests that school-based interventions may help youth who are at risk for substance abuse. This study is the first to look at the efficiency of personality-targeted interventions delivered by teachers.

Source: Science Daily, School-Based Intervention Successfully Lowers Drinking Rates in at Risk Children, August 30, 2010

Addiction and unstable behavior portrayed in such television shows such as TMZ, The Anna Nicole Smith Show, and Access Hollywood exploit celebrities’ erratic and unhealthy behaviors, leaving nothing private while boosting television ratings and simultaneously encouraging these celebrities’ popularity. Other shows like Obsessed, Intervention, and Celebrity Rehab attempt to deflate the celebutante sensationalism of such serious behavioral issues among celebrities and regular citizens alike by showing viewers the gravity of damage done to addicts’ personal, familial, and occupational identities. All these mediums make addiction and rehabilitation a familiar, more open topic among Americans, but it still may underscore the importance of dealing with addiction treatment properly.

More than 23 million Americans are believed to have an addiction disorder, yet only 10 percent of those receive treatment. Inspired by media examples, many people believe they can handle intervention on their own. Without proper research and preparation, intervention efforts for a friend or family member may be futile. Physicians and interventionists recommend against simply talking about a problem with a loved one, which does not constitute an intervention at all. Words alone may be dismissed in passing since most addicts will respond with denial or anger. Also, including friends or family members in an intervention who may bring negativity to the meeting—such as angry family members, abusive partners, or friends with addiction problems themselves—can affect the addict’s willingness to participate.

Addiction is not an individual disease, and family members and associates often allow the disease to progress through enabling. Family and friends may deny the truth in an effort to avoid confrontation or offending the individual. However, early intervention is the most effective method for achieving successful recovery. It is not necessary to wait for the addict to hit “rock bottom” and lose everything before intervening. It is also necessary for family members to help during addiction treatment therapy and by aiding positive changes to the individual’s lifestyle, aftercare, and potential relapse therapy.

A professional interventionist can help the family make proper preparations for an intervention, such as referring the family to an appropriate treatment program (like Alanon or Alateen), the right rehabilitation center for the addict, and procedures to take when conducting the actual intervention. An intervention requires weeks of planning in advance and should never be performed spontaneously. An interventionist can help the family make the right choices and prepare for both positive and negative reactions from the addict. Sometimes an elaborately planned approach is best where the interventionist and family transport the individual to treatment right away, while other times giving the addict the opportunity to implement some self-control is more suitable. The addict may not agree to treatment right away, but patience will pay off if the family remains strong, firm, and sincere. The coordination of an interventionist is also valuable if an addict with a serious behavioral disorder reacts poorly to the intervention. Appropriately managing behavioral health requires the collective effort of the entire family and is effectively guided by a trained, experienced interventionist.

The concept of intervention is not new, despite its dramatic upheaval in conventional media. Addiction treatment has been taking place for centuries, but became more formalized around the time of Jung and Freud. Treatment programs became more accessible with the introduction of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1937, and coordinated intervention methods became more established by the Johnson Institute in 1966. Today, intervention and rehabilitation are considered essential to mental and behavioral health, and physicians are now trained to deal with addiction treatment or intervention at some level.

Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or religion, and intervention should be considered for any person suffering from addiction to restore his or her emotional and physical health. Furthermore, addiction involves any substance from alcohol to street drugs to prescription medications or behaviors like gambling or sex. Intervention and rehabilitation can effectively treat any addiction disorder before, during, and after treatment. It is most important to continue progress after rehabilitation through the support of loved ones, professional counseling and/or support groups, and an encouraging home environment.

As difficult as dealing with an addiction can be, realistically obtaining proper addiction treatment can be a financial obstacle for many families. Some families may not have health insurance to help cover the costs for an interventionist, rehabilitation, and aftercare counseling. Some insurance plans do not fully cover addiction recovery treatments, particularly an intervention. Choosing to conduct an intervention may not even seem financially feasible for certain families. Families who are ready to intervene should expect to perform extensive research on the right intervention program which involves “interventionist shopping.” Interventionists can cost anywhere from $800 to $25,000, depending on how extensive their involvement is in the recovery process. Interventionists may assist families for hours on end or over a period of several months. Again, the earlier the intervention, the easier the addiction recovery process, the more likely the individual will have a successful recovery, and the more financially viable the costs. Waiting to treat addiction further ignores the severity of the individual’s and the family’s safety and health.

An interventionist should either be a psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor), or a CASAC (Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor). Be aware of your interventionist’s background, experience, and success rate. Websites such as AddictionResourceGuide.com or AssociationOfInterventionSpecialists.org provide great resources to help loved ones choose successful interventionists and appropriate treatment methods for their family situation.

Science Daily reports that in the first evaluation of its kind, the study published in Addiction found that problem drinkers provided access to the online screener www.CheckYourDrinking.net reduced their alcohol consumption by 30% (six to seven drinks weekly), rates that are comparable to face-to-face interventions. This result was sustained in both the three- and six-month follow-up.

Problem drinking is a major cause of preventable deaths in Canada as well as morbidity, trauma and violence, yet many of those who struggle with problem alcohol use will never seek treatment. A recent general population survey indicated that 81% of problem drinkers in Canada have Internet access, and about a third indicated that they would be willing to seek intervention via the web.

Brief Internet-based interventions for problem drinkers are promising, and fill a gap in the services available to problem drinkers, according to principal investigator, Dr. John Cunningham Senior Scientist with the Social and Community Factors in Prevention Research Section, CAMH.

"An unfortunate reality is that many problem drinkers do not seek treatment. While getting help from a health care professional is ideal, there are barriers to access such as concerns about stigma, a desire to handle problems on one’s own, or simply because treatment is not readily available—online interventions can help reduce these barriers by allowing people to seek help in their own homes,” Dr. Cunningham said.

By analyzing self-report data, the website provides problem drinkers with a report that compares their alcohol intake to the national average and informs them of the physical and health risks associated with their drinking patterns. The report also calculates the amount of money spent on alcohol annually and how much of their time is spent under the influence each year. Safer drinking guidelines are also provided to website users.

"The Check Your Drinking online screener provides participants with a wealth of information about their drinking, its consequences, and how they compare to others," said Dr. Cunningham. "When presented these facts in a non-judgmental manner, participants are able to re-evaluate their drinking and may be motivated to reduce their alcohol consumption."

What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

To function is to be capable of carrying out a specific action or activity, to operate or to work. High-functioning alcoholics, then, are those people who are able to convincingly go through their prescribed roles and carry out their duties – yet who continues to drink alcohol. They are able to maintain relationships with family, friends and colleagues, keep up with their job and home. In essence, they lead a double life: they are outwardly the successful, capable husband, wife, sibling, child or other relative, friend, or coworker, while inside they are alcoholics.

High-functioning alcoholics would never put themselves in the same consideration set as a skid-row drunk. In fact, while both have the same disease, with high-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) the progression is quite a bit different. With their extraordinarily high level of denial, they often find it extremely difficult to admit that they even have a problem with alcohol. Through years of success and achievement – despite drinking – the HFA isn’t looked upon by others as an alcoholic.

In addition, due to the stigma and shame still associated with alcoholism, the HFA would be loathe to admit to others, let alone himself, that he has a problem with alcohol. Such personal denial is also accompanied by denial of others. “He can sure handle his liquor,” some might say. Or, “I’ve never seen her drunk,” might be another comment.

Since they won’t or can’t admit that they are alcoholics, HFAs often remain undiagnosed and slip through the cracks of America’s health care system. They also are likely to be the last to seek treatment for the disease.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of HFAs

Although some of the warning signs and symptoms of HFAs are similar to those of other alcoholics, they often appear at different stages of the progression of alcoholism. Some signs may not be present in all HFAs, or may occur in clusters. One thing is certain: the longer the HFA goes without treatment, the more likely he or she will display some of these warning signs and symptoms.

• In the company of others who drink – The HFA surrounds himself with others who like to drink. This assimilation makes it difficult to pick out the HFA as being different from the rest. Besides, the HFA truly enjoys drinking and being around others with similar likes.

• Obsessing over alcohol – The thought of alcohol is never far from the mind of the HFA. Counting hours until the next drink, mentally savoring the mellowness and pleasure of the impending drink, calculating how much alcohol can be consumed without any outward signs of drunkenness – the HFA obsesses over alcohol.

• Consuming craving – One drink is never enough for the HFA. The lure is too strong, and the craving consumes the HFA until he or she can have the next drink – and the next, and the next. Before long, the HFA has lost control over total alcohol intake – even though he or she still may appear outwardly normal and in control. After all, they are masters of discipline and concealment.

• Alcohol is part of their lives – The HFA would no more give up alcohol than they’d give up their identity. Alcohol is so much a part of their lives that they cannot imagine a life without alcohol.

• Finishing drinks of others – If someone the HFA is with leaves a drink on the bar or the table, the HFA may pick it up and finish it. “Don’t want to let this go to waste,” he may say in a joking manner. Related to this is the example of the HFA downing his own drink when it’s time to leave – to go to the table at the restaurant after waiting at the bar, for example – and then quickly ordering another. If a family member or friend doesn’t touch his or her drink, the HFA often drinks it along with his own.

• Experiencing shame over drunken behavior – Being such masters of concealment, the HFA does often experience remorse and/or shame over instances where their behavior has become sloppy after drinking. Such behavior isn’t part of their carefully crafted images and they consequently work even harder to avoid such mistakes in the future. But they won’t quit drinking.
They’ll just watch their behavior more.

• Self-deluding – Some HFAs drink only expensive wine or liquor in the mistaken belief that this means they’re not an alcoholic. It’s a self-delusion that allows them to continue to drink with impunity.

• Fit life into compartments – Another familiar sign of HFAs is that they are able to conveniently separate their drinking lives from the rest of their existence. Who they are at home, on the job, or to casual acquaintances is totally different from their drinking routine and environment.

• Tried to quit but failed – At some point the HFA may have tried to quit drinking but failed in the attempt. This pattern may often be repeated, but still the HFA refuses to seek treatment. It is part of their personality makeup, their self-constructed identity that they feel they can handle their drinking on their own. Such refusal to get help is difficult to overcome.

• Excuses and rewards – HFAs feel they work hard and deserve a drink as a reward. Drinking, to the HFA, is both an excuse and a reward. The HFA may even use those words in defense of his actions – to himself and to others.

• Hiding and sneaking – When others are going to be around – and watching – the HFA may sneak a drink early, drink before going out, or drink alone. Such secrecy is part of the concealment of the HFA’s true problem. He or she has to get in the drinking, but can’t take the risk of others finding out or suspecting the real problem.

• Emotional and physical consequences don’t matter – Whether minor or severe, emotional and physical consequences of drinking don’t make a difference to the HFA – who will continue to drink, regardless. It’s only when things really spiral out of control that the HFA, or those closest to him, may seek help for the problem.

• Blackouts, memory losses, or worse – At the end of the HFA’s downward spiral – just as with any other alcoholic – blackouts, memory losses, increasing physical, emotional, psychological, social and/or legal problems intensify. It’s at this point that the HFA either gets treatment or continues to deteriorate.

Who are HFAs?

Look around you. High-functioning alcoholics are in every profession and walk of life. They’re not all men, either. Alcoholism strikes men and women equally. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there are more than 2.5 million female alcoholics, and one-third of women report regular consumption of alcohol.

Another pretty frightening statistic (which is borne out in recent stories of fatal automobile crashes) is that there has been a 28.8 percent increase in the number of women arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in the past decade. Surprisingly, however, there was a 7.5 percent decrease in the number of males arrested for DUI over the same period.

When you consider that many of these millions of female alcoholics are also mothers, you begin to understand the magnitude of the problem – for the female HFAs as well as their families and others. Stigma and shame for HFA mothers keeps many from getting the treatment they so desperately need.

Risk Factors for Becoming an HFA – or Alcoholic

Research studies show several risk factors contribute to a person becoming an alcoholic, HFA or otherwise. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Drinking at an early age, such as before the age of 15

• Family history of alcoholism

• Presence of an underlying mental health disorder or condition (such as anxiety, depression, post-partum depression, etc.)

• History of trauma

• Impulsive personality

• Peer influence

• Other substance abuse (including cigarettes, street or prescription drugs)

How to Approach an HFA about Treatment

Family members or concerned others may try to convince the HFA that treatment is necessary, but they first have to overcome the obstinate denial and resistance from the HFA. Remember, the HFA has been able to go through life hiding their alcoholism. It won’t be easy for them to admit that they have a problem, let alone a problem they can’t resolve themselves.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of an HFA in your loved one? If you do, you’ve gotten past your own denial. It’s often very difficult for those closest to the HFA to see the signs of alcoholism – even when they’ve been present for years. Once you do recognize your loved one is an HFA, what should you do?

Addiction experts say it is important – crucial, even – to let the HFA know how much their drinking behavior hurts you, how it negatively affects you and the family. Never approach them when they have been drinking or are suffering from the aftereffects of a bout of drinking. Wait until they are completely sober and, hopefully, have eaten a nourishing meal. It is also important that the conversation is not defensive. Start by stating how you would like things to be in the family, and emphasize your feelings and concerns. Expect the HFA to deny the problem. You could then talk about how people can function at home and at work and still be alcoholics, that they’re called high-functioning alcoholics. Denial may still – and probably will – occur. Be prepared to show tangible evidence of alcohol-related problems. Such documentation is perhaps the only proof that will convince the HFA that there could be an issue with their drinking that needs addressing. Never put yourself or your children or other family members at risk, however. Avoid confrontation and conflict, as this will not solve the problem.

Intervention may be appropriate, as skilled professionals are often able to chip away at the HFA’s denials and resistance and succeed in getting them into treatment.

You will need resources to do this. Check out the assessment tools, tips on cutting back, treatment referrals and services at the NIAAA site. For example, at-risk or heavy drinking involves consumption of more than 4 drinks per day or 14 per week for men and 3 drinks per day or 7 per week for women. Look through the FAQs for answers to common questions about alcoholism. Professional help to quit drinking may involve medications (naltrexone, acamprosate, and topiramate), alcohol counseling (12-step groups, cognitive-behavioral, motivational enhancement, or a combination), or specialized, intensive treatment programs. On the NIAAA site you can also download the 16-page NIAAA booklet Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health.

For an interventionist, review referral information from the Association of Intervention Specialists.

Another helpful resource is the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Also check out the highly-recommended book, Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights, by Sarah Allen Benton, a licensed mental health counselor. Also check out her blogs on Psychology Today and her interview and excerpt from the book on Oprah.com.

Bottom line: don’t give up – on the high-functioning alcoholic. But do encourage them to get the necessary help to overcome their problems with alcohol. Set boundaries and insist on open and honest discussion of the HFA’s situation. Be safe, supportive, and persistent.
 

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a longtime friend of Lohan’s says yet another attempt at convincing Lohan to return to rehab was derailed this past weekend.

“The only problem was, she saw David Trent [a close friend of her father, Michael Lohan] and immediately bolted,” said the source.

The attempted intervention took place during a party at the West Hollywood home of shipping heir Stavros Niarchos in the wee hours of Friday morning—Paris Hilton and her sister, Nicky, were also in attendance, but they were not involved in the attempted intervention, which took place in another part of the Niarchos house.

At nearly 7:00 am, several friends tried to get Lohan alone in a private area, but Lohan quickly departed after spotting her father’s friend, according to the source.

Though Lohan spent nearly five hours partying at the Niarchos house, “She kept moving from room to room…She was clearly hyped-up on more than just booze. It was impossible to corner her, until a few people tried to—in a bathroom when it was nearly dawn,” added the source, who seemed deeply concerned about Lohan.

Reportedly, Lohan’s former girlfriend Samantha Ronson has tried to talk the actress into getting help with her addiction, as did Lohan’s friend Courtney Semel, who recently left rehab and attempted to talk to Lohan about getting help at a Hollywood party earlier in the week.

The eight-episode series follows Goldstein as he tries to help addicts get sober. AM captures the addicts on camera to show them what they are doing to themselves and to their families. In a format similar to that of A&E’s “Intervention,” the show progresses to an intervention and the addict going to rehab.

Goldstein seemed in good spirits while trying to help Amy, who was willing to go to rehab after shooting up one last time in an airport. Throughout her rehab process, AM made frequent journeys to her treatment facility to show his support.

In a follow-up with Amy seven weeks after she completed her treatment—and after Goldstein’s death—she said he shouldn’t be remembered for the way he died. She said he gave her a chance to live and that she’ll be forever thankful.

But there is hope for the compulsive gambler. The process is called gambling intervention.

What Is Gambling Intervention?

Similar to intervention for alcohol or drug addiction, gambling intervention is a process that brings together a professional interventionist and a “team” of family, friends and co-workers with the express purpose of confronting an individual about their compulsive gambling behavior and convincing him or her to seek treatment immediately. The intervention is conducted in a controlled and logical way, focusing attention on changing the addict’s behavior.

Gambling interventions work best when a professional interventionist facilitates the process, as the intervention itself can get very intense. Violent or explosive reactions on the part of the gambling addict may result, and are very difficult, if not impossible, for those present to handle on their own. That’s where the interventionist’s skills and expertise really come into play. He or she works to defuse the intense emotions and bring the situation back into control.

|With the ultimate goal of getting the gambler to agree to go into treatment, all the arrangements for the treatment must be made prior to the actual day of the intervention. The reason for this is that a successful intervention concludes with the addict going off immediately into treatment – not the next day or next week, but that day. Once the gambler admits to having a problem and agrees to seek treatment, that’s the time to put the pre-planned admission into a gambling treatment program into action.

Expert interventionists know that you cannot convene an intervention and then not deliver on the promise to give hope to the problem gambler through a treatment program. Without a plan already set up, there’s nothing to prevent the addict from going right back to gambling.

What Happens In A Gambling Intervention?

Again, gambling intervention takes a page from interventions for drug and alcohol abuse. Since the premise behind the intervention is to make the addict aware of how much damage his or her actions have had on the various relationships – family, friends and co-workers – each individual participating in the intervention makes it clear how he or she has been personally affected by the gambler’s behavior. This often takes the form of reading from a letter the thoughts that the person has put together and practiced in a rehearsal the day before the actual intervention. Yes, there is a pre-intervention meeting of all the participants with the professional interventionist. During that meeting, the interventionist goes over the format and protocol for the intervention and each participant reads from his or her prepared letter in order to be prepared for the following day.

Besides explaining how the gambler’s behavior has affected them, each participant may also list specific incidents that highlight why the gambler needs treatment such as arrests, loss of a job, accidents, or family relationship breakdown. Often the family member, friend or workplace supervisor issue an ultimatum to the gambler. A boss may make returning to work conditional on the gambler’s receiving treatment. Family members or friends may make any future contact contingent on the gambler successfully completing treatment.

Make no mistake about it. Interventions are not easy to do. They’re emotionally exhausting, often eliciting very strong emotions on the part of the gambler and the participants. Team members must be prepared to convey their thoughts and any ultimatums in the kindest manner possible. Despite all the exhortations, screaming, denial and promises to quit from the gambler, the team members have to keep to their resolve. If the individual team members feel unable to deliver their ultimatum, the interventionist may deliver it for them.

Experts in interventions caution that young children should generally not be permitted to attend the session unless their contribution or presence is considered to be helpful to the gambling addict. This also applies to teenagers. As a practical matter, parents should be very careful about allowing any children to attend an intervention.

What Type Of Treatment Should Be Arranged?

This depends upon individual circumstances. The goal, remember, is to get the compulsive gambler into treatment. There are various treatment programs and help available to the gambling addict, including residential treatment, outpatient treatment, Gamblers Anonymous (GA), different therapy modalities or counseling or any combination of these.

Of all the treatment options, the one that works best is to remove the gambler from his or her environment, free of all the distractions and temptations and opportunity to gamble, and take them to a treatment center that specializes in treating compulsive gambling. Ideally this requires a facility that can provide a one-on-one approach that allows the gambler to dig deep into the root causes of his or her compulsion and to work toward learning new behaviors to overcome the addiction.

Since gambling affects many people beyond just the gambler, often the goal of the intervention is to get help for the family and concerned others as well. This may take the form of education, attendance at self-help groups, individual and/or group therapy or some other form of treatment that’s appropriate. Gam-Anon is one such group that offers support for family members and friends of compulsive gamblers.

After The Intervention

Once the compulsive gambler has gone off to treatment, participants in the intervention often feel an immense sense of relief. No, there’s no guarantee that the gambler will stay in treatment, or even fully commit to treatment, but there is one certainty: everyone’s addressed their concerns with the addict. There’s no more need for lies and deception. Now, everything’s out in the open relative to the individual’s addiction. Ultimatums may have been given that have some meaning to the addict.

• “If you don’t go into treatment, I will no longer have any contact with you.”

• “Either you accept treatment, or you no longer have a job.”

• “Although you’re my friend and I’d do anything for you, I won’t bail you out anymore. I’m not going to take your calls or see you if you don’t seek treatment.”

Family, friends and co-workers need to make plans for when the gambling addict returns from treatment. Just as an alcoholic cannot return to an environment where drinking occurs, or a drug addict can’t be around others who use drugs, the compulsive gambler can’t be exposed to gambling of any kind. This means no lotto, bingo, card playing – even for no wager – casinos, Internet gambling, sports or track betting.

Expect some difficult times, especially during periods of high stress or when something unexpected throws the recovering compulsive gambler for a loop. These may be financial, rejection by friends, family problems, physical or mental problems. The recovering compulsive gambler will continue to need your support during these situations. Encourage him or her to attend and participate in Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Make sure that you attend Gam-Anon or other support meetings yourself in order to better prepare you for how to deal with any crisis that occurs.

If Intervention Fails

It’s important to recognize that not everyone will be ready and able to accept that they need help. The compulsive gambler may not yet have hit bottom to the extent that he or she can even admit that they have a problem and need help. They may still be deluding themselves that they have everything under control, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

There isn’t much that you can do at this point. The compulsive gambler will sooner or later reach that lowest rung of hopelessness. Perhaps then they will accept an offer of help. Until that time, all anyone can do is to be ready to get the addict into treatment if and when the individual says yes.

How To Find A Gambling Treatment Facility

Resources are available to help you locate a treatment facility that can provide treatment for gambling addiction. One is the National Council on Problem Gambling, which also operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 1-800-522-4700. In the state of California, there’s the California Council on Problem Gaming, and the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, with information and links relative to problem gambling.

Get a referral to treatment facilities and then contact them to inquire about their gambling treatment programs. Many times, gambling addiction is a specialized track in the facility’s substance abuse treatment program. Make sure that the facility has nationally certified gambling counselors on its staff. If you are attempting to arrange a gambling intervention, be sure that the interventionist has expertise in conducting such interventions.

Above all, do gather as much information and educate yourself about all aspects of gambling addiction. This will prepare you for the hard work ahead, for the compulsive gambler and all those affected. The most important point to remember is that gambling addiction is treatable. You and your loved ones can be free of the negative consequences of compulsive gambling. There is hope – as long as the gambling addict seeks treatment.
 

The strange person welcomes you, invites you to sit down. You’re not liking this whole scenario one bit, but you sit anyway. There’s a kind of eerie calm in the room, except for your own jitters and uneasiness. Your mom, dad, brothers and sisters, your fishing buddy, the guy you work next to and your boss (god, your boss!) all have pads of paper or a folded letter in their laps. Some smile, a little anxiously, it seems to you. Your mom looks like she’s been crying. Your dad just looks stoic, like he’s having a tooth pulled. Whatever this is, it must be something really bad.

You want to get out of the room already, and all you’ve heard so far is the welcome by the stranger. What you really want, though, is a drink, a smoke, to do a line – to escape. You’re half out of your chair when the stranger introduces himself or herself and says they’re an interventionist. The purpose of this meeting is to encourage you to get help with your addiction. Everyone here wants to support you through the decision to go into treatment…

Oh, no, you’re not buying this. No way. You stand up, balling your fists. You’re in firm denial mode. “I don’t have a problem. I
can quit anytime. I don’t need any help. I want you all to leave.”

But the stranger continues in an even, reassuring tone, saying that these are the people who love you and care about you. All they want is the best for you. They have something they’d like to say to you. Will you at least listen? Give them a chance to express what’s on their minds? That couldn’t hurt, could it?

No, you admit. You’ll listen, but you’re not going into treatment, period.

One by one, they start to read what’s written on their pieces of paper. Some of it’s pretty tough to hear and it tears your guts out. But you listen. Some of those gathered can’t contain themselves and break down sobbing, your mom among them. You can’t stand seeing her cry, but you hold yourself back from saying or doing anything. In fact, you feel as if you’re frozen. Maybe if they just get it over with, you can breathe. Once they’re done, they can all leave and you’ll be fine. You can almost taste the drink. You need the drink. It’s only a matter of time, now, since the last one is picking up their letter. But it’s your boss. He looks at you before he starts to read, and you feel a sinking in the pit of your gut that this time there might just be some serious consequences for your actions.

When he finishes, there’s dead silence in the room. Except for the throbbing in your own head that sounds like a drum beating. Now, what? The interventionist starts talking again, asking you if you heard what these people had to say. You nod, not saying anything. Then the statement comes: “We’re here to offer you a chance to start over. Beginning today, you can start your new life. Are you willing to take it?”

Now you do get up. You scream, maybe a few obscenities, maybe not, on account of your mom. You stride out of the room and go into the kitchen, looking for your bottle. Your dad comes after you. “Now, son, please come back into the living room. We’re not here to fight you. We love you. Will you please come back in?” After a few minutes, during which he won’t allow you to grab the bottle, you decide you’ll rejoin the group. “But I’m not going to any rehab!”

Back with the others, there’s more talk from the family members and friends, yada, yada, yada. Same as before. Why don’t they stop already? What seems like an eternity has only been about 45 minutes. Clearly nobody has any intention of leaving. You argue and promise you’ll quit on your own, that you don’t need to go someplace to have a bunch of strangers in your business.

“That hasn’t worked before, has it?” the interventionist asks. “How many times have you told yourself that?”

Got a point there. Still, you argue how you can’t afford to take the time off work. Oops, shouldn’t have said that. You remember how your boss said your work performance had suffered and how he wouldn’t tolerate it anymore unless you got help. Can’t afford it, you mumble. The interventionist chimes in that everything’s been taken care of. You don’t even hear half of what’s said next, something about insurance, sliding pay scale, scholarship or financial aid. The point is that it’s covered, more or less.
You run out of arguments. You’re suddenly very tired, wanting all this to go away like a bad dream. This isn’t anything you asked for, nothing you’d ever do on your own. Finally, with a voice that seems like it creeps up out of your shoes, you say you’ll do it.

You mom and dad clasp each other’s hand and then everybody jumps up and races toward you, shaking your hand, giving you a hug. All this fuss!

You didn’t want the intervention, but you got it anyway. In no time flat, you’re in a car being whisked away to a treatment center.
Everybody stands at the curb to wave good-bye. Now, it’s just you and the interventionist alone in the car with the driver. You may go over a few of the things that are going to happen next with the interventionist, but mostly you just sit alone with your thoughts. Most of those thoughts involve how and when you can get your next drink, smoke or fix.

What are your choices now that the intervention is over?

What You Do Next Decides Your Future

The above scenario may or may not fit your particular situation – or that of a loved one you’re planning to do an intervention for –
but it is fairly typical. A person doesn’t have to want to go into treatment for it to be effective – although that’s the optimal mindset going into rehab. Sometimes it takes the combined encouragement and support of people who love and care about you to get you to do what you’d never do on your own. It just happened to be through an intervention. It doesn’t matter, therefore, if you agree with their motives or like what’s about to happen. It does matter what you do next. Here are several outcomes:

• Accept the help – Recognize that you do need help and take advantage of it. Go into detox and get clean, then move on to the treatment phase. You will learn the underlying reasons why you first started drinking and/or using drugs, typical stresses and triggers that precipitate drinking and using, coping skills and techniques to help you steer clear of the triggers that cause you to drink and/or do drugs. Through behavior modification and other innovative treatment protocols, you will be able to restructure your behavior to enable you to live free of alcohol and drugs. You do need to stick with the program all the way through, though, to give yourself a fighting chance at a successful recovery.

• Just try it for a while – You might tell yourself that you’ll go along with the deal for a little bit, but you’re not totally invested in sticking around for however long they think you’ll be there. In fact, you’re already making plans to get out of the center as soon as it looks like you can leave.

• Detox only – You’ve wanted to kick the booze, pills and drugs for a while. This is a good way to do a whole body cleanse. After all, everything’s being taken care of for you. No fuss, no muss is the way you look at it. Once you’re clean, you’re out of there. Forget treatment, don’t need it. You can take care of yourself. You’ve done okay all this time, haven’t you?

Of the three outcomes, which one do you think will be the most successful at allowing you to remain clean and sober? Did you know that 80 percent of those who only complete detox but fail to go on to treatment suffer a relapse? And, if you don’t even give detox a chance, what do you think the odds are for abstinence. You guessed it: practically zero.

When your loved ones invest the time and effort, obviously painful for all, to stage an intervention, it’s because they sincerely want you to make a clean sweep, to get your life back on track, to experience real love and happiness – maybe for the first time in many months or years or ever. Give yourself the gift of hope. Accept the treatment. Stick with it. Envision a future that has no limits to what you can achieve. It’s all out there waiting for you. Go for it.

Susan Rosovsky, an addiction interventionist in Atlanta, explains that the earlier the intervention occurs, the better. The longer an illness progresses, the harder it is for addicts to quit. Unfortunately, many people still believe that addicts have to “hit bottom” before they can get better.

But according to research done by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, treatment for addiction does not need to begin voluntarily to be effective. “The lower the bottom, the harder it becomes to ever return to the surface,” says Rosovsky.

Anyone who is consumed by alcohol or drugs of any kind is incapable of making consistently healthy choices, and thus requires professional expertise to help get healthy again. Working with a specialist will offer significant advantages that save families time, money, and emotional pain in the long run.

Traditional psychiatry and counseling are most often not the answer. Research shows intervention to be successful 85% to 95% of the time. Truly successful outcomes for any serious illness require a variety of interventions—based on the latest research to include medicine, nutrition, education, relational support, etc. A professional interventionist will provide oversight and continuity to permanently raise the bottom of the entire family of those suffering from addiction.

Susan Rosovsky LPC, CCADC, BRI, is the founder of ProActive Interventions. More information is available by calling 678.662.1892 or online at www.ProActiveInterventions.com .