It is a rare week when someone doesn’t call our office and begin the conversation by saying…”I got a DUI”.  Often the person has no substance abuse history but reaches out for suggestions from an addictions counselor.  Generally we discuss three realms where a DUI can have a profound impact.  These are legally, vocationally and personally.

Heartland Intervention specializes in recovery from substance abuse issues.  We are experts in the field but we are not attorneys.  Still, experience tells us that those charged with DUI are far more likely to avoid jail time and have a reduced length of probation and license revocation if they are proactive.  This means getting a prompt assessment for substance abuse and mental health issues and following the recommendations for treatment and/or education as soon as possible.  It is FAR better for you or your attorney to demonstrate the the court that you are taking action.  This is done by getting an assessment promptly rather than waiting for the court to order one.  Heartland Intervention’s Scott Watson has done assessments for courts throughout Indiana and beyond.

It is only natural to worry about one’s job after getting a DUI.  The answer to the question “Will I loose my job” tends to vary based on the type of job and the company’s policy regarding this.  For instance, if you drive a delivery vehicle, not having a license may be a problem.  But even then, some companies want to work with the employee.  It is critical to be honest with the Human Resources or Employee Assistance Program.  Again, being pro-active generally works in the employee’s favor.

Finally it is important to explore the DUI from a more personal angle.  Was it an isolated incident or a symptom of a bigger issue?  Does a person need to be in treatment?  Experience shows that anyone can get a single DUI.  Multiple DUIs, possession charges, public intoxication charges all form the basis for a diagnosis of a  substance related diagnosis.  These and many other questions can be answered only after getting an honest professional assessment from a person who is properly credentialed.

If you have been charged with DUI, don’t wait.  As assessment from a trained and qualified professional is an important first step .  Call Heartland Intervention at 877/752-8811 to schedule your appointment for an assessment.

The world lost a great voice this past weekend when pop music icon Whitney Houston was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel. While the cause of her death is not officially known, we do know that she suffered a very public battle with addiction. In an interview on WIBC this morning, interventionist Scott Watson lamented the eventual course of untreated addiction.

The death of one so famous…who struggled so publicly…is another opportunity to remind people that addiction affects black/white, rich/poor, old/young and famous/anonymous. No family, workplace or community is immune from its grip.  And yet death due to addiction is preventable.  Every week we see people who are choosing recovery instead of addiction.

At Heartland Intervention we proudly serve a diverse group of clients from across the country and right here in Indiana. We have worked with the rich and famous as well as families from small towns. In all cases, we work with people worried about a loved-one.

If you know someone who struggles with addiction, the time to act is NOW. Don’t wait. Help is available. Addiction kills…but Heartland Intervention can help. Call us today at 877/752-8811.

Back in graduate school, we were discussing working with addicts and alcoholics.   I remember  hearing a guy say, “There’s still hope if they still have a pulse.”  Now, after many years of clinical practice, I have absolutely found that to be true.  My work at Heartland Intervention has given me a front row seat to see folks ravaged by the lifestyle of addiction.  One of the biggest payoffs is to see the turnaround that comes with treatment, step-work, recovery and accountability.

Recently however I heard a heart-breaking story of a young man who died before he was able to get help.  The story was told by a brother who was in recovery and had done all that he could to try and help his brother.  The sad reality is that left untreated, addiction kills.

Most of us know someone who battles addiction.  While it’s not often discussed, addiction is common.  Literatue suggests that addiction is a primary, treatable and fatal illness.  Experience shows this to be true.  If you know someone who battles any type of addiction, do not wait.  Call Heartland Intervention and tell us your story.  We will be happy to make suggestions of how you can best  help.

A good friend once said of working with addicts, “Pray like it all depends on God.  Work like it all depends on you.  …And step over the bodies.”  His words are sad…but true.   At Heartland Intervention we are committed to saving lives and families.  Call us today at 877/752-8811.  As long as there is life….there is hope.

It is still morning and already I have been able to celebrate three recovery birthdays.  One is 6 months…hard earned with much still to be done.  She never went to treatment but is working a 12-step program.  Another is 9 months.  He came to see me today following an intervention.  “I didn’t like you much then.  But I’m 100% committed!  Thanks”  And finally, 11 wonder-filled years celebrated with one of my closest friends.  Can I just say that I have so much admiration for each of these three folks.  I LOVE celebrating sobriety birthdays!!!

One of the mantra’s that Heartland Intervention has is that “Treatment Works”.   A good assessment is critical so that we can match the level of care with the need that a person has. For instance, by the time a person faces an intervention it is likely that detox and a residential stay is appropriate. Others may need an Intensive Outpatient Program and some may benefit from a 12-step program.

Recovery is more than just not drinking/using.  But it begins there!  There are those with decades sober who are still angry and without meaningful relationships.  But overwhelmingly, sobriety brings about recovery which brings about the restoration.  For most, sobriety birthday come with hard work.  And the payoff is well worth the effort!!!!!

Heartland Intervention is ready to help your loved one begin the adventure of recovery.  Call us today at 877/752-8811 and soon you can celebrate as well.

Heartland Intervention believes strongly that when an intervention is done right, the central hallmark is love.  In fact we insist that the approach and motive is loving.  This can be a particular challenge when the intervention target has caused so much damage by lying, cheating and stealing.  Families have usually tried begging, threatening and arguing in an effort to get a person into treatment.  But love will likely work when part of a structured intervention.

When the person being intervened on looks around the room,  it is critical that he/she knows that all those gathered love, care about and want what’s best for him/her.  The carefully crafted letters, unity of the group and preparation all work together to make entry into treatment an easier and better choice than to continue a life of addiction.  It also is what makes the intervention effective.

There are two places where the anger, resentment and frustration that the addict/alcoholic has fostered are best dealt with.  The first is during the intervention planning process.  Your interventionist will listen and give you suggestions to help the healing begin.  This also helps  maintain a loving tone during the intervention.  Treatment centers with a solid 12-step philosphy will then help the addict to approach family members in the months ahead in an effort to rebuild relationships.  This underscores the importance of selecting a treatment center that is a good fit your your family member.

An loving intervention is a great process to be a part of.  The focus is on love and getting the addicted person the help that they need.  Heartland Intervention and our founder Scott Watson are committed to helping people access treatment in a professional, structured and loving setting.  Call us today at 877/752-8811 to help with the family member that you love.

What was the worst day of your life? Are you able to remember why it was so bad and the gut-wrenching feelings that feelings that gripped you? What made that day so bad and could anything have been done earlier to have made it better?

When people call Heartland Intervention, they are often surprised to hear me say that we don’t have to “let” someone hit bottom. Often, the goal of an intervention is to RAISE a person’s bottom to their current level of despair.   We do this so the addicted  person does not have to loose their job, marriage or house before they get into treatment.

A parent whose child has a fever would not just wait to see how bad the fever would get before taking action.  Nor would the parent be afraid that taking action would only make the situation worse.  A parent whose child’s grade’s were sinking would intervene early in an effort to prevent things from getting any worse.  So too should it be with addiction.  There is no value in seeing how low a person can go.

Heartland Intervention is recognised as a leader in the field of intervention,  assessment and recovery.  Our affordable and  loving approach to intervention coupled with our very high success rate make us the choice of many concerned about their loved one.  While we are based in Indiana, Scott Watson travels throughout the country conducting interventions and facilitating entry into treatment.

Left untreated, addiction always gets worse.  Many people have told us that intervention day was actually one of the BEST days of their life.  Call us today at 877/752-8811.  We look forward to listening and helping.

Anyone who has spent much time around me knows how much I value a group of people that I call the “team”.  I often say, “You can’t pick your parents.  You can’t pick your kids.  But you had better pick a team!”  The reality is that life is a team sport.  There will come a time in life when you get a horrible news…perhaps a challenging diagnosis, a pink slip, a parent or child disappoints.  Who do you turn to then?  Co-workers are just that.  Family may be too close.  It may take a long time to cultivate a team but having one can be absolutely invaluable.

While there may be some benefit to having a diverse group, I believe that there are 5 traits that one should consider when  picking their team.  The are the five-C’s.

1.  Character:  Pick people who are of high character.  There is not point in having a person in your inner-circle if you’re not willing to take their advice because of a character issue.

2.  Commitment:  Make sure that those closest to you care about your and are committed to you.  Mutual commitment strengthens the value of your team.

3.  Chemistry:  Team mates are not cookie-cutters of you.  However you have to be able to relate and get along when times are tough.  It must be safe to speak the truth.

4.  Compatibility:  This has to do with “hopes, ambitions and dreams”.  Your team works as your support system, coach, accountability and more.

5.  Competence:  When the stakes are high you can’t fumble the ball.  Select people who are skilled, avoid drama and have perspective.

So how do you find a person or persons who measure up?  The best way is to ask the question, “Does this person have what I want”?  If they have struggled and survived and are willing to “do life together” then you may have the very beginnings of a wonderful team.  This will prove helpful and will benefit better mental health and recovery programs.

If you would like to put together a team but are not sure where to start, give us a call.  Heartland Intervention exists to help people and we are standing by at 877/752-8811.

Click the link below for Heartland Intervention’s Scott Watson’s interview with Mike Corbin from WIBC news in Indianapolis.  They discuss a strong new painkiller with a significant potential for addiction and abuse.

There was a student convocation when I was in grade school that made a profound impact on me.  Oddly, I do not remember a single thing that the speaker had to say.  But I remember well the words on a coin that he gave me after his speech.  “The MAIN thing is to keep the MAIN thing the MAIN thing“.

As we begin 2012 the advice on that coin serves to guide both Heartland Intervention and those whom we serve.  Addiction is a disease which the text calls “cunning, baffling and powerful”.  As a result, we must remain vigilant to focus on solutions which are tried and true in an effort to show the addict that there is a way out.  Heartland Intervention is ready for the challenge and we expect 2012 to be our best year ever!

For the person who is already in recovery, the saying is a reminder that whatever is placed ahead of recovery may well be lost.  The main thing is to avoid a return to addiction.  We accomplish this by using the recovery tools that allow us to grow one day at a time.

All the best in 2012.  If you have not already done so, visit our website and sign up for our newsletter.  It has lots of helpful information and cool stories to help keep you focused on the Main Thing!

In a recent radio interview I was asked to comment on the fact that Indiana was likely to make buying alcohol easier during the next legislative session.  Specifically I was asked if this would lead to an increase in DUI arrests in a state that already ranks 3rd on the dubious list.

There is no doubt that access to drugs and alcohol is one factor that must be considered when evaluating for addiction.  While making alcohol easier to obtain may lead to more DUIs, it is no guarantee.  In evaluating this, it might be useful to look at who gets DUIs.

For the person with a substance abuse issue, access is likely LESS of an issue.  This person spends significant time and energy planning so as to have a steady supply of their spirit of choice.  So restricting sales on Sunday has a minimal impact on the alcoholic’s drinking.  He plans ahead and is rarely caught without.  The non-substance abuser doesn’t plan as carefully.  So if alcohol is available earlier on Sunday in a restaurant or if it is able to be purchased as a convenience store, she may be more likely to have one to many and be arrested on the way home.  Having said this, access to alcohol may in fact enable the irresponsible drinker do drink more or over a longer time than intended.  This is also diagnostic and can lead to DUIs and other problems.

There is no way to know for sure what impact the legislature will have on people’s drinking or on DUI arrests.  As I have written before, a single DUI is a legal problem and an issue of community concern but it not necessarily a sign of a drinking problem.  From an addiction standpoint, how one responds to that DUI is a more significant factor.

If you have questions about substance use of if you need to have a substance abuse assessment following a DUI, please call us today at 877/752-8811.  We stand ready to help you during this difficult time.  And listen to 93.1 WIBC for information and my opinions whenever addiction is in the news.