Front Row Seat

At Heartland Intervention, we often say that we have a “Front Row Seat to Watch Lives Change”.  That means when a person finds recovery we get to see it first-hand.  Yet when a person experiences the pain of relapse, we see that up-close too.  Funerals for one who dies because of addiction are hard to stomach.  Funerals for one who dies in recovery present a reason to celebrate.

Recently I have attended a couple of funerals of people in recovery.  Both died sober which gave those who gathered reason so celebrate.  We were encouraged by the life each had led and reminded again that there is always hope in the midst of struggle.  As I looked around the room there were many who had come to pay their respects to a man who had made a difference.  They were not there because they shared the common struggle of addiction….but rather because they shared the common bond of recovery.

Addiction does not bring people together.  In fact it often drives people and families far apart.  It desolves relationships rather than strenghen them.  Recovery however brings people together.  Race, creed, finances and beliefs seem to matter less in the recovering community.  The primary recovery text confirms that “we are a group that usually would not mix”.  And yet this week, the group came together to share a laugh and a tear while saying goodbye to one with whom each shared a journey.

If you have a loved one battling addiction, call us today at 877-752-8811.  We know the struggle and the fear that comes with addiction.  Our loving interventions are designed to help your family and guide the addict or alcoholic toward the path of recovery.

The intervention was quick and easy.  Now, it was time for her to leave Indiana and head to treatment out of state.   It was a journey that offered much more freedom than she knew.  Through tears she walked with her parents, husband and other family members.  As they approached the car I stopped her,  “Look into the eyes of these people”, I said.  “Do you see anger, resentment, or condemnation?”  Crying, she smiled… shook her head no… and hugged her family as she got into the car.

When people hear the word intervention they often think confrontation.   At Heartland Intervention we work hard to make sure that love is the hallmark of our work.  That doesn’t mean that we shy away from the truth.  It does mean that we seek no hint of anger, resentment or frustration during the actual intervention.  This is done through the planning process and working with the family prior to the intervention itself.

Confrontation allows the addict to reinforce walls and dig in deeply to defend themselves.  Love breaks through those walls and allows for hope to come flooding in.  My hope  as she begins the recovery process is that she will remember that tender moment with her family.  It was a moment of love, hope and anticipation that the best is yet to come.

If you have a loved one that struggles with addiction, call Heartland Intervention today.  We look forward to pointing them to a better life, no matter how bad things have gotten.  Call us today at 877/752-8811.

It seems that 300 economists, including three who have won the Nobel Prize, have come forth claiming that it would be a good idea to legalize marijuana. This is because the government would save about $7.7 Billion/year in enforcement and could actually generate another $6 Billion per year if the product were taxed.

WIBC radio asked Heartland Intervention’s Scott Watson this week to comment on the idea of legalizing marijuana and the benefits this would have on the economy. “It seems that the economists failed to consider other costs associated with legalizing pot.   Are there othe health care costs that would go up when more people use marijuana? Clearly legalizing and taxing alcohol and tobacco has created healthcare and societal costs beyond just those that impact federal and local governments.”

There are additional concerns beyond just the economic ones. Watson went on to comment that legalizing pot would likely lead to increased use. “Society has to decide whether it is comfortable with an airplane pilot or a school bus driver using marijuana. For that matter, do you really want your taxes prepared by a guy who regularly uses weed?”  Many believe that marijuana can be addictive and its use can lead to other drugs and risky behavior.  Could it be that these risks outweigh the potential economic benefit?

So what’s your take? Should marijuana be legalized? Visit our Facebook page at /www.facebook.com/heartlandintervention and share your thoughts.

The past year has seen a big push in what are called “designer” drugs.  While this broad term has referred to a wide variety of things, most recently we have seen an increase in things like Spice (K-2) and Bath Salts (which are not the same things Granny used in the tub).

Experts now tell us to be on the lookout for Kratom.   It comes from Thailand but is illegal to use there and in many countries throughout Europe.  Kratom is a naturally occurring substance that holds great appeal to addicts because it has three potential uses.

First, Kratom can be used by opiate users to offset the impact of withdrawal.  Secondly, it can be taken with other drugs to enhance their effects.  And it can be taken alone to produce notable euphoric effects.

A recent journal article noted that Kratom is “…a serious threat…potential subterfuge to programs that treat opiate dependency…serious threat to workplace objectives and programs that seek sober-living as a primary objective.”.  There are currently no standard drugs tests for Kratom.  Heartland Intervention is concerned about the potential of this and any drug.

If you have a loved one struggling with opiate dependency or using designer drugs call us TODAY!  Let us help you locate a program that can treat your loved one before it’s too late.  Heartland Intervention is committed to recovery.  Call us at 877/752-8811.

Several articles have appeared this week regarding the increase in prescription pain pill in Central Indiana and across the country.  At Heartland Intervention we too are receiving many calls each week from people concerned about a loved one over-using or addicted to opioids.  According to the Indiana University Center for Health Policy the number of pain pills prescribed to Indiana residents went from 29-54 million in just five years.

Heartland Intervention founder Scott Watson spoke with WIBC radio this week.  “Nationally the trend is also seen throughout Appalachia and in wealthy suburbs across the country.  While ‘pill mills”, an aging population and new philosophy on managing pain are partly to blame, the huge increase in availability has resulted in a near epidemic of addiction”.  Additionally, the rise in opioid painkillers is the leading cause of accidental overdose.

While many want to place blame or deny a problem because these pills are “prescribed”, Heartland Intervention encourages loved ones to take action once you become concerned.  There are many treatment options for people addicted to painkillers…including those with chronic pain.  Don’t delay!  Call us today at 877/752-8811.

Sandy (not her real name)  was focused and fixed.  “Two felonies…two felonies…I can’t believe he got two felonies.”, she said of her husband.  Following many episodes of infidelity, DUIs, lies and drunken nights, her marriage seemed to have come crashing down with the latest dose of trouble.

To this point, the family had succeeded in keeping their dirty laundry a secret.  In fact, trying to keep the secret kept the family from getting help for a significant substance abuse issue.  But now, with the family’s business in the local paper, keeping it a secret was no longer possible.  The frustrated wife was reaching out in an effort to get help for her husband and for the family.  The pain that Sandy was feeling nearly took the air from the room and yet much of it could have been avoided if she had taken action sooner.

Unfortunately Sandy’s story is a common one.  Family and friends are concerned that they will make things worse.  Others are aware of a problem fail to act because work, friendships or schedules might be interrupted.  Others are concerned about money.  Yet experience shows that waiting until something catastrophic happens may mean the loss of far more.  Sandy’s husband now faces jail time, loss of his job and public humiliation!

If you know someone who struggles with drugs, alcohol or other issues, dont’ wait.  Substance abuse and mental health issues rarely get better on their own.  While Heartland Intervention is based in Indiana, interventionist Scott Watson travels throughout the country to facilitate a loving intervention,  promoting family recovery and healing.  Call today at 877/752-8811.

The headlines last week read, Should LSD be Considered in Treating Alcoholism?.  It seems that a scientist in Norway has determined that alcoholics treated with varying amounts of LSD experienced greater self-acceptance than those who received placebo pills or a stimulant.

Heartland Intervention founder Scott Watson was asked on WIBC radio to comment on the story.  “While it’s tempting to suggest LSD to all of my clients and just go on vacation, the idea that LSD is a cure for alcoholism is troubling.”, Watson said.  “While we must monitor all research in an effort to provide the best care for our clients, experience tells us that substituting one mind-altering substance for another is very dangerous.”  Watson continued to note,” …that’s why we are cautious with drugs such as methadone and Suboxone when treating opioid addicts.  It just doesn’t make sense in most cases to trade one drug for another.”

Heartland Intervention believes that every case is different and rare cases may warrant a “harm prevention” model of treatment.  But Heartland Intervention exists to offer true abstinence-based recovery.  We are located in Indiana but conduct interventions throughout the United States.  This means that clients use no mind-altering substances to deal with life on life’s terms.  If you have a loved one that struggles with addiction, act now!  Call us today at 877/752-8811.

The Federal Government, using data collected in a national survey has concluded that 7.5 million children under the age of 18 are living with a parent who meets the criteria for an alcohol use disorder.  That’s a whopping 10.5% of US kids.

Children who live with an alcoholic parent are at greater risk of parental neglect or abuse. They also have a greater risk of developing mental health problems such as anxiety disorders, depression, and problems with cognitive and verbal skills.  Studies also show that these kids are at greater risk to develop substance abuse and other problems themselves.

The report was published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  SAMHSA is charged with helping these parents find recovery resources, not just for themselves but for their children as well.  If you know a parent who struggles with substance abuse, call Heartland Intervention today.  Our number is 877/752-8811.  We know that addiction ruins families…..but Heartland Intervention is here to help families.

Perhaps nothing is more upsetting to family, friends and professionals alike than when a person who is in recovery experiences a relapse.  Experience shows that relapse is a process that takes place over time rather than the event of just drinking or using again.  Relapse erodes relationships and trust and often results in consequences far greater than then the person was initially using.  This is because addiction is progressive in nature.

Frequently families will ask how often to expect relapse or what the relapse rate is when people return home from treatment.  Of all the questions that I am asked, this is the one that troubles me the most.  I remember Bob D. emphatically stating that, “100% of the people who don’t pick up a drink…don’t get drunk.”  That was his way of saying that relapse is not a necessary part of recovery.

For sure, relapse is a significant part of many people’s story.  At Heartland Intervention we encourage those in early recovery to make changes slowly and with lots of accountability and supervision.  Recently there was a person who had several months sober.  All was going well until she began working a full-time job.  In a matter of a two weeks, she had gone from a meeting a day to 1-2 meetings per week.  The third week found her running with her old crowd and likely using.  Also a young man recently allowed the fear of step-work keep him from his sponsor and meetings.  In a few days his family was searching for him on the streets and praying that he was ok.

Recovery literature is full of reminders and warnings about the effort that it takes to stay clean and sober.  Many heed these warnings and the result is long-term recovery and all of the promises that come with it.  They are proof that relapse into alcohol and drug addiction does not have to be part of the story.

Call Heartland Intervention today at 877/752-8811 to discuss relapse prevention skills.  We are eager to assist you or your loved ones avoid relapse with counseling and suggestions for structure and accountability.

Addiction has its ups and downs.  There are times when the addicted person may seem to dramatically improve over several weeks.  But the recovery text tells us that both drink and drug are “cunning, baffling and powerful”.  When plotted over a long enough period of time, the drinking, drugging and mood will always get worse.

The sticking point is that human nature is to focus on the hope that the good times offer.  “He’s going to meetings.”  “She hasn’t come home drunk once this week.”  “Our rent was paid on time this month.”  Sadly, when dealing with addiction, these good times are short-lived and old behavior eventually resurfaces.  Trust is again broken and relationships are further eroded.

When working with families, Heartland Intervention often suggests that families plot the last two years in an effort to honestly understand where the drinking, drugging and behavior is headed.  It is important to notice trends and patterns.  A structured and loving intervention is designed to stop the downward slide and get the addicted person into treatment.  The intervention is non-judgmental, loving and designed to demonstrate support for recovery while also making clear that the family will no longer do things to support substance abuse.

If you are concerned about a loved-one, call Scott Watson today.  Heartland Intervention is dedicated to saving lives and families by offering recovery through a loving intervention process.  Call 877/752-8811.