About Hitting Bottom

Posted on February 8, 2016 by swatson

The primary recovery text and families across the country have sounded a similar theme about those who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. They must hit bottom. But what is to be said when a person’s bottom means losing a job, a spouse, a child, their freedom, health or even their life? It is rarely wise for a family to stand by, waiting for a loved one to hit a devastating bottom.

Heartland Intervention recently worked with great family that was worried a member’s drinking. His employer expressed concern that had been echoed by the family for years. For some, “Danny” had not yet hit his bottom. But intervention is about raising a person’s bottom by getting them into treatment before any more damage is done. Danny’s intervention went well and he gratefully completed 30-day residential treatment.

Heartland Intervention is recognized as a leader in the field of intervention services, 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 J. Watson travels throughout the country conducting interventions and facilitating entry into treatment.

Left untreated, addiction always gets worse. Don’t wait for them to hit a catastrophic bottom. Many people have told us that intervention day was actually one of the BEST days of their life. Call us today at 317-752-8811. We look forward to listening and helping.

Does Intervention Work?

Posted on January 25, 2016 by swatson

When addiction has ravaged a family, members are often both desperate yet afraid to take action. On one hand there is an overwhelming fear that the current path will lead to death. Yet families often have at least one member concerned that intervention will make a bad situation worse. As a leader in intervention services in Indiana and beyond, Heartland Intervention is often asked, “Does intervention work?”.

Focus on a Known Solution

Before calling us, most families have spent lots of money, time, tears and energy trying to make things better. Sadly, those efforts are often focused on what the addict or family member thinks will help. Despite these efforts, addiction continues to erode relationships, health, finances, freedom and more. While often perceived as a dramatic step, an intervention is designed to pierce the hallmarks of anger, denial and dishonesty and get the alcoholic or addict to engage in treatment. Intervention focuses time, effort, energy and money on a known clinical solution.

Beth’s Story

Three years ago, Beth’s parents decided on intervention in an effort to save her life. At the actual intervention, Beth was angry. She lashed out and threatened not to speak to her family ever again. She did however agree to go to treatment from the intervention which was well crafted by Heartland Intervention, LLC. She completed 31 days of inpatient addiction treatment and completed an aftercare group in her supported living community. Beth called our office last week to tell us that she has been clean and sober for three years. She is working full-time and is hoping to get married later this year.

If you are worried about a loved-one’s drinking or drug use, don’t wait. Call Heartland Intervention, LLC today at 877-752-8811. Our founder Scott J. Watson is eager to hear about your situation and discuss how intervention can make a difference. Begging and arguing rarely are sufficient to get someone into substance abuse treatment. Call Heartland Intervention today because intervention really does work!

Cost of Addiction

Posted on December 21, 2015 by swatson

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

Posted on December 14, 2015 by swatson

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.

Off To Treatment

Posted on November 21, 2015 by swatson

Call Heartland Intervention at 877-752-8811.

Intervention Planning is Key

The intervention process takes lots of planning and most of the work occurs well before the intervention itself. Travel to treatment is an important part of the intervention planning process and is typically a time of tension and hope. Planning travel to treatment should not be overlooked. This is another reason you may want to consider using a professional interventionist if you are considering getting help for an addicted loved-one.

When planning an intervention, Heartland Intervention works with the family to assure a quality intervention. That means putting together a team that will use love and hope to crack the barriers of denial, anger and fear. We provide our families with excellent treatment options designed to meet their needs. And we work with them to plan every aspect of the intervention including travel to the treatment center.

Treatment Travel Considerations

Families often ask if the interventionist should travel with a person to treatment. The answer varies case by case. Travel may mean driving across town or flying cross-country and several factors help determine who should take a person to treatment. What follows are the most common options when taking someone from the intervention to a treatment center.

While it may be surprising, most families choose a non-reactive family member to escort a person to treatment. This allows for a high degree of comfort and familiarity during a process that can be a little scary for everyone involved. Heartland Intervention is also happy to travel with a person from the intervention to treatment. While rare, some families prefer to have a trained sober companion travel. It often is a person who may be demographically (age, sex, substance of abuse) similar.

Cautions

No matter who is taking a person to treatment, there are things to be aware of. While very rare, every interventionist has a story of a transport that didn’t go as planned. Again, these are uncommon and often can be avoided with proper planning. Boundaries and focus must be maintained.

If you have questions about intervention or the planning process, call Heartland Intervention, LLC at 877-752-8811. We are the choice for intervention services in Indiana and beyond. We look forward to working with your family if you have a loved one that struggles with drugs, alcohol or other addictive issues.