|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gentle, Respectful Intervention |
|
|
|
In my experience, addicted people have a BS detector and can identify when they're being lied to or manipulated. They may not always like what I am saying but they begin to trust my good will towards them when they know my intent is to be honest with them. Also integral to this approach is using elements of motivational interviewing and helping the addicted person see what they can gain rather than what they are losing. Each of these factors coupled with the thorough examination of the nature of the disease and its effects in their lives is compelling. Having facilitated over 2,000 interventions I have found the most successful model to achieve this goal is a modified version of the Invitational Systemic Approach (ISA) authored by Wayne Raiter, LCSW and Ed Speare, MBA, CSAC. I created the Gentle Respectful Intervention (GRI) approach using the ISA's foundations of the systemic impact of the disease and the invitational process of engaging the addict into the intervention process. I then put even greater emphasis on ensuring that the addicted person's sense of self worth not be further harmed through the intervention process.This is demonstrated in part by my unwavering commitment to be straightforward with the addict. In my experience, and reportedly from many of my clients, the GRI has been very helpful at alleviating the debilitating shame that the disease fosters in the addict. The GRI culminates in an educationally formatted workshop for the addicted person and family to learn the impact of addiction on everyone. The addicted person is openly invited to a "family workshop" rather than brought under false pretenses. I have found that when the family is involved and guided to invite the addict individually in a very specific dialogue the addicted person almost always chooses to attend the workshop. This fosters a much more open and approachable client. The client is given the opportunity to make choices throughout the process. A great deal of preparation, support, and structure is necessary before family members are ready to have a therapeutic dialogue and invite the addicted person to the workshop. This period of protracted preparation is also instrumental in shifting the family's perceptions of both, the addicted person and the medical disease and decreasing blame, anger, and judgment. Some important components of this period include the family members' required attendance of appropriate 12 step meetings, writing out an extensive history and viewing educational videos plus reading written material and abstaining from mood altering substances themselves. During the workshop itself we present on materials ranging from addiction neurochemistry, genograms, the impact of low level trauma also utilizing sculptures and experiential techniques for emphasis. An integral part of the process is making treatment and recovery recommendations for each person attending. All of this occurs after a thorough educational process that explains the physiological, mental and emotional progression of the disease and how it impacts each person within the family. By this point in the intervention nearly all of the addicted persons are amenable to some form of treatment so they can begin their own healing and help in the healing of their loved ones. I can only attribute the significant success rate to the huge distinction made between the addicted person and the medical disease they suffer from and the ongoing attitude of respect for them as human beings.
To Contact Bill Maher, Interventionist or the Family Intervention
Center of Virginia, |
There
is no doubt that the disease of addiction fosters shame in those who
have it. Those with sexual addiction are particularly plagued by a
sense of shame that drives the disease. I have found in my 18 years of
facilitating interventions that not triggering the addicts' shame can
increase the likelihood of success in entering treatment, completing
it, and achieving long term recovery.
Bill
Maher, CADC, ACI, Board Registered Interventionist II, is a highly
successful and innovative Interventionist specializing in the Gentle,
Respectful, Invitational Model. Since 1989, Bill has provided
intervention services, facilitating over 2,000 interventions nationally
with a very high success rate for placing the addicted individual into
treatment.Maher is a nationally recognized expert in the field of
intervention for chemical dependency. He is a preferred interventionist
for a number of the country's top treatment centers, including the
Betty Ford Center. A sought after speaker and trainer in the field of
intervention, he has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Wall
Street Journal and WVTF Public Radio.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|