Addiction Intervention Specialist
Seattle-Based National Family Recovery Services
~ Helping You to Help Your Loved One!
Patrick J. Hart Psy.D.
Crisis Prevention for Loved Ones
Addiction Recovery Practice
Addiction is most usefully viewed as a complex illness–a biochemical trap–that is characterized by a progressive loss of behavioral control. People who suffer from chemical dependency impulsively act-out and persist in self-destructive substance abuse — even in the face of exceedingly devastating consequences. Many of us are frustrated and ashamed of the fact that we are unable to resolve addictive behavior patterns without formal, dedicated, well-informed help. Because of structural changes in neurological pathways caused be chronic chemical abuse, “addicts and alcoholics” are unwittingly trapped in their destructive patterns of behavior and simply cannot adequately limit their use — or effectively quit of their own accord.
Through tears of shame and humiliation one client exclaimed:
“When I could stop using, I didn’t want to. Now that I can’t stop,
I’m desperate – It is time for help – I can’t do it alone . . .”
Joining with others is crucial to the successful resolution of the problems of chemical dependency. During the early phases of chemical dependency, the user has some degree of control over impulsive patterns of substance use. However, the later stages of the addictive process present us with an entirely different picture. Some form of intervention from concerned individuals frequently becomes necessary to create adequate awareness of the problem, and to motivate the user to take specific actions that promote recovery.
The Problem: A Biochemical Trap!
A Chronic, Progressive, and Frequently Terminal Illness
The medical community now defines addiction as a “disease.” a chronic and progressive illness like diabetes or hypertension. It is essential to realize that the term no longer implies a chemically-induced (physical) withdrawal process. The term “chemical dependence” has replaced the term “addiction” in psychological diagnostic terms. Addiction now simply means that one’s life is negatively impacted or compromised in various ways: socially, occupationally, academically, medically, psychologically, legally, parentally, maritally . . .
An Interpersonally Devastating Loss of Control
“The Hijacked Brain” and “Drug Driven Behavior”
Loved ones, remain aware that chronic substance abuse has altered the drug user’s brain structures, neural networks, and neurochemistry. Chemically dependent people’s brains and behaviors have been “hijacked,” so to speak, by biochemical changes associated with chronic abuse. Psychologists and physicians have begun to understand why addicted individuals sacrifice every thing that is important to them–their families, their jobs, their physical health–in the quest for a fix. Because of the addictive process, voluntary control has been relinquished. Some way of reaching the substance abuser and succeeding in penetrating the veil of denial frequently necessary to interrupt the vicious pattern of drug abuse. Both you and your drug impaired friend, colleague, or loved one deserve adequate help. Alcohol and drug intervention motivates change.
The Question:
Why Does My Loved One Continue to Self-Destruct?
Why is it that without some type of intercession, the substance abuser is highly unlikely to ever seek help of his or her own accord? Because of the neurological compromises associated with the addictive process, addicts remain oblivious to the true nature of their plight.
Chemical dependency is an illness of denial, minimization and self-delusion: “There is nothing wrong–I’ll quit tomorrow–just cut down– my drinking is not that bad– get off my back.” Bewildering is the fact that many substance users continue their chemical abuse while they slowly deteriorate from the disease. This quandary was stated in gravely realistic terms by Dr. Paul Wood, President of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 1990:
“The question is how do we get people who are dying, who do not believe they are dying, who fight the slightest inkling they are dying, to believe that they are dying and accept help which will save their lives? This question has always lived at the center of the tragic conundrum that is the alcoholic and other drug addicted person.”
An Answer:
The Hart Center Comprehensive Family Intervention
Without formal help, many people will continue to abuse alcohol and other drugs until they meet with grave and crippling consequences. Drug addiction is a progressively devastating illness that often traps the best of us. Intervention helps you and help the abuser out of the frequently fatal progression of addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
This Intercessory Process Helps You Prevent the Abuser from Hitting
“Rock-Bottom”— Before More Damage Is Done!
Families and friends should be mindful that few people can maintain their addictive disorders without someone else helping them perpetuate their drug abuse. Through education and planning, most families discover that certain enabling roles have become crystallized. Certain members typically find that they have been unwittingly “propping up the abuser,” in effect enabling the addictive behavior to continue, even in the face of progressively devastating results. Family drug intervention saves lives, marriages and livelihoods! Simply call to explore our range of services. Dr. Hart is an Seattle based intervention specialist who is familiar with many methods of help and can assist you to ensure that you are making informed choices for treatment options.
You can also take advantage of a private telephone consultation which will allow you to explore available methods and treatment matching options. National services are readily available by telephone conference.
Educate yourself about intervention methods, and explore the wide range of approaches practiced by specialists, such as non-confrontational “invitational intervention,” strategic family interventions, executive interventions, and teen intervention strategies.
Bold and creative “tailor-made” approaches help you ensure that you intervene with the strongest probability of success.
Intervention Enables Wellness! Stop Supporting the Addiction!
Professionally guided intervention assures that you deliver a loving, compassionate, and motivational message to someone who is trapped in the grips of substance abuse. The process frequently involves a proclamation that family and friends will cease acting out their enabling roles going forward. This proclamation represents a fine-tuned and unified “message form reality” and can be a compelling and unified wake-up call that offers life-saving help!
Even a single Informational Assessment Consultation will help family members understand how intervention can help you prevent ongoing deterioration from substance abuse.
Educate yourself about the broad range of methods and begin to respond constructively to the problems of addiction! Without meaning to do so, family members frequently enable their loved ones to maintain and continue their addictive behavior. Through the intervention process, significant others learn to disengage from their customary roles and actions that have “enabled” and unintentionally helped the user to remain trapped in the grips of addiction. Honestly, as you feel the chaos and see the deterioration ~ how much more ~ are you willing to endure?
Do nothing – and nothing changes – the problem is progressive. IIf you take no action, it is predictable that your friend or loved one will continue to deteriorate from chemical dependency.
Patrick J. Hart Psy.D.
Intervention Specialist :: Seattle, Bellevue, and National Services
Schedule an Assessment: Private Teleconference
Clinically Informed Treatment Matching Recommendations
Helping You Make Informed Decisions:
Treatment Matching, Detox Hospital Admission, Rehabilitation Centers and Psychiatric
Hospitalization Nationally: 206-547 HELP (4357)
Private and Fully Independent
Specialist for Cases Involving Dual Diagnosis
Psychiatric Intervention Specialist and Family Crisis Prevention