Alcohol Assessment Following a DUI

Heartland Intervention

When faced with legal difficulty such as driving under the influence (DUI) or similar, many clients turn to Heartland Intervention for an alcohol and drug assessment.  Our clients often tell us that  attorneys recommend an independent substance abuse assessment that can be helpful in court.  This is true whether the DUI is in Indiana or elsewhere.

When charged with a DUI, our clients are facing a suspended drivers license, probation, a myriad of fees and fines and possibly jail time.  Clients that come to Heartland Intervention for a substance use assessment tell us that the results have been helpful with:  license reinstatement, insurance renewal, decreased probation length, issues of custody and much more.

The aim of our assessments are clinical in nature.  Clients are evaluated by a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC) with special training in assessment. Each client will receive a face-to-face evaluation and will also complete an assessment modality.  A comprehensive assessment letter will be sent within 24 hours directly to the client.  This allows the client to control who has access to their information.  If you have received a DUI or have any questions about substance use assessments, do not delay.  Call our office at 317-752-8811.

Cost of Addiction

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As the year draws to a close, there are two studies that have been published that highlight the cost of addiction.  Families who live with substance use are often well aware of the daily struggles, fears and feelings of helplessness that are a constant companion.

The first study by the Centers for Disease Control notes that deaths from overdoses of prescription drugs and heroin continue to be the leading cause of unintentional death.  Last year, 47,055 people died from drug overdoses — 1.5 times greater than the number killed in car crashes.  Those aren’t just numbers but numbers of people who likely were loved by family and friends.  Heartland Intervention founder Scott J. Watson recently appeared on WXIN Fox 59 and offered his opinions of this study.

The second study highlighted the fact that about 1 in 10 Americans struggles with a drug use disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to JAMA Psychiatry.  This study not only highlights the extent of the problem but also points out the need for access to appropriate professional treatment.  Those who carry a substance use disorder diagnosis are often at greater risk for other dangers such as suicide, accident, certain medical and psychiatric problems.  “The numbers are troubling and signal a need to provide abstinence-based professional treatment to those who struggle with substance abuse.”, Watson says.  An article outlining the study can be read HERE.

If you have a loved-one who struggles with drugs or alcohol, don’t wait!  The cost associated with drug addiction will only get worse.  Call Heartland Intervention, LLC today at 877-752-8811.  We are the leading provider of intervention services and treatment facilitation in Indiana and beyond and are anxious to discuss a plan for your family member today.

Treatment Center Choices

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Whether you are thinking about intervention or just preparing to take a loved one to treatment, selecting a treatment center can be a daunting task.  Ours is an age when the internet can often be accessed at a moment’s notice via a laptop computer or smart phone.  When it comes to selecting a treatment center, Heartland Intervention strongly suggests that it is a bad idea to base a selection on your own research.  Here are three reasons why.

Web Page = Belly Button

Don’t feel bad!  We live in an age where marriages begin with selecting a date from a website.  But websites are marketing tools…nothing more!  And web pages are like belly buttons…everybody’s got one.  Treatment centers (even bad ones) spend thousands off dollars to create websites in an effort to funnel prospective patients their way.  They tend to focus on amenities and ease of access while promoting hope to the desperate families.  Often they avoid troubling aspects like treatment outcomes, therapeutic philosophy, MAT and cost.  You will never see a website that says, “We are overpriced and our outcomes are poor.”.

More Than You Know

A friend used to remind me that most subjects involve “more than you know”.  This is true with treatment selection too.  Often the published length of stay or cost includes some flexibility.  In addition, regular referral partners may be able to secure a bed or a ride from the airport quicker than someone calling the admissions department’s general number.  Some centers are not set up to do evening or weekend admissions but may be willing to do one at the request of a referring professional.  Heartland Intervention works hard to develop professional relationships with the very best treatment centers across the country and throughout Indiana and the Midwest in an effort to best serve our clients.

Treatment Outcomes Matter

When a loved one finally agrees to seek help for addiction it is a significant event!  It is important not to waste time selecting the treatment center.  It is equally unwise to use one that is convenient but may not be appropriate.   Sometimes that means medically supervised detox, a dual diagnosis program or special treatment for trauma.  Websites often fail to mention these offerings or fail to mention that they are available only at a significantly increased cost.  The bottom line is that treatment outcomes are a significant factor in selecting a center.  At Heartland Intervention, we work with only the VERY  best so that our clients will have an opportunity at strong clinical outcomes.

One Final Note

It should be stated that Heartland Intervention receives no stipend, kick-back or rebate from any facility for referrals.  To do so would be unethical.  From time to time we will be treated to a meal or participate in a professional’s weekend in an effort to better get to know the programming staff and their philosophy.  As a Board Registered Interventionist and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor and SAP, it is important that we remain independent so that we are always ready to best meet the needs of our Heartland Intervention clients.

If you have questions about treatment centers, please feel free to call us at 877/752-8811.

Lifeline Law Saves Lives

Heartland Intervention, LLC

Everyday the news is filled with stories about overdoses, gun violence and other tragedies.  Often drugs and alcohol use, abuse or sales play a central role in these tragedies.  As students head back to school we focus again on college campuses where the problem of substance abuse and sexual assault is a daily reality.  While others work to change the culture, there is one tool designed to save lives TODAY!

Indiana Lifeline Law

In 2014, State Senator Jim Merritt authored legislation designed to give immunity from alcohol related prosecution to any minor who calls to report a medical-emergency or crime.  Merritt explains that it’s not about giving bad behavior a free pass but rather getting life-saving help to those who need it the most.

Every year we read of accidental overdoses or serious injuries to students who are drunk or under the influence.  It is easy to sit back and be critical or wring our hands fearing that there is nothing that can be done.

Call to Action

If you are the parent, sibling, or loved one of an Indiana student you can help.  Make sure they are aware of Indiana’s Lifeline Law!  Click HERE to learn more about it.  And if someone you love is struggling with a drinking or substance abuse problem, do not wait.  Call Scott J. Watson at Heartland Intervention, LLC today at 317-752-8811.  We exist to lovingly offer recovery instead of addiction to families suffering from substance abuse and more.

When Substance Abuse or Addiction Appears

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A younger brother may find a picture or text on social media.  The phone rings with news that a family member has been arrested for underage possession or DUI.  A respected co-worker doesn’t show for work after failing a random urine drug screen.  Whether it begins with a hunch or a bombshell, it is not uncommon for families to find themselves face to face with addiction or problematic substance use,  may have the opportunity to join a Rehab for Crack Addicts in Thailand and turn their lives around.

Most families lack the experience to know how to react when drug or alcohol problems arise, or even how to find a rehab center.  Regardless of the substance being abused, families, freedom, finances, employment and health are often at risk unless something changes.  Families often are at a loss for what to do or where to turn, they need help understanding that a substance abuse clinic for teenagers is the answer.

Image result for substance abuse for teeenagers As a leading provider of rehabilitation services in Indiana and beyond, we work with families everyday who simply need guidance regarding assessment, intervention or treatment recommendations for loved ones. if you care about yourself or your loved ones, you can find rehab here.  While all substance abuse has certain common threads, each person and family is unique.  That’s why it is important to get independent  professional advice  for your family or friend. If you have a friend suffering from addiction tell them to visit these rehab facilities to recover.

Following an assessment, they will work with you on appropriate treatment, because this company can help with addiction. Among the factors considered are clinical appropriateness, co-occurring need, fit within the therapeutic community, cost, location and more.  We have no association with any treatment center so we can speak openly and honestly about each one that we recommend.  We work with a wide variety of facilities in order to best serve the families who trust us.  As our founder Scott J. Watson is fond of saying, “Because the stakes are high, we don’t recommend any clunkers.”

If you are concerned about a loved one’s substance abuse, do not wait! Call this treatment center today.  We look forward to guiding you as you navigate the world of drug and alcohol assessment, rehab and treatment.  The stakes ARE high.  Call us today.