It has been our experience over many years of work with families affected by addictive disorders that the most effective way to help one individual described as "having the problem" is to approach the illness as a family problem with a family solution.  Recovery from addictive disorders is a family affair. Attempts to fix the person with the problem, so to speak, are rarely successful. Addictive disorders are not about any ONE person's behavior.  They are about the genetic links that exist in a family as well as the stressful atmosphere that has developed where addictive or related disorders have been active in one generation or another. Usually this interpersonal distress has been a factor long before a present crisis in the "problem person's" life causes a loved one to make a call for help or consider an intervention.  Anger, frustration, anxiety, provoking, blaming, rescuing, or withdrawal are the symptoms of the family's pain. These reactions set the stage for the defensive communication patterns and negative atmosphere that actually contribute to the addiction's progression. Stress feeds it.     

If you are at that stage now, I believe we at the Long island Council can be of help.  As professional addiction specialists our job is to guide the family into the path of recovery from the pain associated with this progressive illness.  But we can't make it happen. Only those who participate in the intervention process with us can do that.

It's not a "quick fix."  Once again, biology as well as relationship patterns that set the stage for the development of addictive disorders and other painful reactions in a family have probably existed for generations. Forgive the cliche, but its true, "recovery from addiction and its effects is a process not an event." That's the "bad news."  The good news is that EVERYONE can experience the gift of recovery if they understand the dynamics of the problem, the resources needed to bring about positive change, and are committed to the outcome.  We can lead the way.

Examine the attached summary of our goals for an intervention. Explore the graphic and the components of the process, and review the ground rules we follow for the day and one-half we'll be together. Finally, see what family recovery means. If you want us to guide you in this experience from addiction to recovery, I INVITE you to make an appointment.

Jack Jerdan
Executive Director
Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. (LICADD)
207 Hillside Avenue
Williston Park , NY 11596
(516) 747--2606
Email: recover@licadd.org

What the Systemic Invitational Intervention does for:

The Family

> Educates them on how to begin to lovingly help the addicted person to accept help.
> Provides a safe and neutral place to discuss the family member’s drug dependency.
> Offers a plan for recovery from being in a relationship with an addicted person.

The Addicted

> Helps to release him/her from the process of self-destruction and denial.
> Motivates the addicted person to accept treatment.
> Enables him/her to redirect life to one of meaning and spiritual purpose.

To talk  about the Systemic Invitational Intervention:

Call in Nassau County at 516-747-2606
Call in Suffolk County at 631-366-1717
E-mail us at recover@licadd.org