First, understand that chemical dependency is a disease — just like diabetes or cancer. When a person who misuses alcohol or drugs, it is not done on purpose…he or she is sick. Just as if they had a disease like cancer, diabetes or a broken leg.  The patient must be diagnosed and then offered treatment.  A chemically dependent person cannot be blamed for being an addict, anymore than a cancer patient can be blamed for contracting cancer. Once this premise is accepted, the emotions of confusion, frustration, and anger subside, which allows a better and more effective way to address the addiction.Addiction disease is amazingly widespread and ongoing. Currently, an estimated 45 million people struggle or are affected by drug or alcohol addiction.  Chemical dependency eventually causes a loss of family relationships, work performance, values, self-worth, friends, and health. In addition, substance abuse will adversely affect the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical growth necessary for a happy and fulfilling life experience.

Left untreated, chemical dependency is 100% fatal, in fact insurance company statistics indicate the average life span of a chemically dependent individual is 12 years shorter than those not struggling with addiction. The causes of premature death may be physical (heart disease, liver ailments, bleeding ulcers), accidental (car crashes, on-the-job accidents), or emotional (depression, suicide).

Addiction disease can be treated but not cured, which is why persons who have stopped drinking or using drugs often describe themselves as recovering, not recovered.

WHAT IS INTERVENTION?

Webster’s defines intervention as the act of coming between. Addiction intervention is the process by which the harmful, progressive, once-destructive effects of chemical dependency are interrupted, and the chemically dependent person can get the help to stop using mood-altering substances.  They are also taught to develop new, healthier ways to cope with their problems. The misnomer that a person must hit “rock bottom” or be an emotional or physical wreck before such help can be given, is incorrect. Intervention is presenting in a caring and nonjudgemental way, the reality of a situation to a person who is currently out of touch with what is truly happening.

THE INNERBALANCE APPROACH

Our compassionate professionals guide patients and their families through the sensitive intervention process. InnerBalance evaluates each individual case in order to support the entire group and understand recovery options — inpatient or outpatient. InnerBalance Health Center’s staff provides information to understand how addiction affects each intervention member. Whether you are the spouse, child, employer, neighbor or friend of the addicted person, you are vulnerable to the effects of the disease.

The main challenge of intervention is to confront the denial process of the substance abuser. Denial is the number-one symptom that keeps the individual from seeking help. By refusing to believe or accept the problem, the person rationalizes his or her destructive behavior. Most people see losing control of their substance as a weakness and not a disease. Therefore, the person would rather justify his or her use than admit to being weak willed. Chemical dependency is not a will power issue! This must be understood by all parties involved to break the denial barrier and to increase the dependent person’s level of awareness.

InnerBalance Health Center’s founder, Joe Eisele, is a national and state certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Level III. Since 1988, Mr. Eisele has applied the specialized training of Johnson and Fajardo intervention techniques.

At InnerBalance Health Center, we have achieved a 83% success rate in helping individuals enter treatment.  If you suspect alcohol or drug abuse but don’t know what to do about it, contact InnerBalance Health Center at 1-800-900-2252 and we can help you make the first step towards a new, easier and better life.