Our nation is in the grip of an epidemic. It is a monster with many heads, springing from one body: Addiction. The variety of substances and affiliations are bewildering, but the suffering of the families and friends of those taken have a stunning sameness: lack of education, naiveté, blame, and shame are the hallmarks of their common bond. Overstating the enormity of the addiction crisis is impossible. The reality defies imagination or exaggeration. The nature of the epidemic is an equal opportunity destroyer. Virtually no family is left unaffected. Nearly four million people tune in every week to watch A&E’s documentary series Intervention which profiles people who are struggling with addictions and the friends and family members who are seeking to help them.. The popularity of this show strikes a common chord and reveals where millions of people find themselves: out of answers and fascinated with the possibility of a solution that might help their family.
As I travel around the country I meet men and women who are devoted fans of this show. As we talk there is inevitably a bittersweet moment: they begin to tell me about their personal heartache and how they are dealing with their loved one.
An estimated twenty-five million Americans are currently alcohol or drug dependent. The conventional wisdom is that each of these twenty-five million affects seven other people through family, friendly and professional association. Let’s be super conservative and cut that number in half. Twenty-five million multiplied by only 3 affected equals 75 million involved. If you have recently joined that unhappy group, we want you to realize that you are far from alone and there is help.
One form of help is a structured intervention. An astonishing 80 percent of these interventions result in the addicted one accepting treatment. That is a remarkable figure, a stunning fact. Intervention is a profound and effective act of love and redemption. It will provoke discussion of previously hidden secrets, expose lies and clarify relationships. Through this process, families and friends can find forgiveness and affirm the future.
Each family member or friend who participates in an intervention will react differently, but you always have to remember that, “You did not cause this, you cannot control it and you will never cure it”. This is not your fault, but you may have contributed to it through enabling.
Intervention raises awareness about the alternatives and treatment options available to those who suffer from an addiction. These are not bad people. These people are in the grip of a public health crisis.
Together is the key word here: if you have decided you have had absolutely enough, if you are ready to get out of the problem and into the solution, begin investigating your own intervention and tune in Monday nights for our upcoming fourth season ……so you will know you are not alone.
When Enough is Enough: A Comprehensive Guide to Successful Intervention by Candy Finnigan with Sean Finnigan, by Penguin Group/Avery Available April 2008
Discuss addictions and A&E's "Intervention" at familyaddictions.gather.com.
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Comments: 27
I have been recovered from alcohol and illegal drugs for over 22 years, using the program "Rational Recovery", rather than AA, as that philosophy did not sit well with my spirit.
Recovery is as big a business as the pharmaceutical and medical institutions that continue to instill "magic bullets" for all that ails us.
I do not see TV, so I'll not be able to watch these 'interventions' - however, if there are any addicts needing guidance or encouragement through the process of recovery - I would be happy to help.
I had to ask a fellow parishioner at my church what SA is. It is Sexaholics Anonymous. It is probably available in big cities.
Fasting can promote enough endorphins to be addictive.
People on meds to even them out from bipolar can acquire a water addiction because it can thin their meds enough that they can trigger mania and go back to being high.
This is tricky business. Many people are not aware that there are doctors who specialize in helping people kick legal meds.
Anyone who is interested in this can E-Mail me, and I will give you more details. It can be professionally dangerous for M.D.'s to do this, but there are brave ones who do it anyway.
Recent publicity about increased suicidality and other dangerous side effects from legal drugs is prompting medication audits of persons on assistance in some states.
This is a very complicated and tricky set of issues, and change is happening rapidly but unevenly geographically around the world.
Even within countries, some cities are much better than others.
As a Nichiren Buddhist, I integrate every facet of my daily life into my core beliefs. Without being open to and embracing eternity and infinite potential, I would fall back into the dark pit of illusion - the grist for the addiction mill...Peace.
its a bummer but i love this show its give me hope that they can get better. ive debated for a while know writing A&E about a few of them I KNOW they would get accepted for the show but i dont know if they would be ok with that :(
My mom and I sat at her kitchen table one night discussing the topic of an intervention. He seemed to be pulling out of everything ok. Seemed to start cleaning up..We never went through with the idea because of that reason. We thought with a little extra support from our family and just tring to get him to spend time with us instead of his friends that all would be ok.
Sadly though my brother passed away from an overdose on August 6th this year. He was only 26 years old.
So i agree with Donna F....if your planning on an intervention tomorrow...do it today.
I have been through treatment center already eight times.
My family has asked me to contact the show and try to get help through the show.
I would probably do it, but I have two dogs and nowhere to board them for sixty to ninety days, which is what I would need.
Good article.