Intervention Facts and Myths
Assistance in Recovery argues that certain widely-held suppositions are no longer true. They disagree with the following longstanding assumptions:
1. You can’t help an addict or alcoholic until they want help.
• Alcoholics, addicts, and mental heath patients don’t know what is happening inside of them—they are experiencing a loss of control.
• They don’t know why they act the way they do.
• Every part of the brain lobes is affected by drugs, alcohol or mental illness.
• They make excuses for what is irrational and destructive behavior.
• Denial is powerful.
2. An alcoholic or addict must hit bottom.
• Hitting bottom leaves them trying to find help on their own.
• They may never hit bottom or may bounce around it with denial.
• The family will end up going along for the ride, bouncing at the bottom too.
3. Addiction, alcoholism, bulimia, anorexia, and mental disorders are a lack of willpower and a character flaw.
• Addiction is not a choice.
4. Treatment only works if the alcoholic wants it.
• A 25 year study resulted in no statistical difference between self-referred clients and clients that entered treatment due to an intervention. It’s not the willingness to go to treatment that matters. It’s the willingness and commitment to continuing care and working toward a healthy lifestyle when one leaves treatment that matters.
