
Photo Credit: Davood Madadpoor
A father wrote to me: Addiction touches many of us. My oldest son was headed down that path. We feel very blessed to have discovered the problem early and much to his chagrin put him in treatment for eighteen months. Pretty hard on the family, but everyone seems to have benefitted in some way. He is now a productive member of society with a wife and child and very committed to his church.
My reflection: Does early intervention stop addiction? There is a body of research that indicates that a fast response is critical and, although it might not stop the addiction, it can bring up the bottom and possibly curtail the devastating effects of the disease.
Today’s Promise to consider: If I had the early years of my son’s 14-year addiction to do over again, I would have taken my head out of the sand, educated myself more thoroughly, talked openly with him and our family, and put him into a long-term rehab program as soon as possible. Jeff’s addiction was like a fire that was left unattended for too long and, before we acknowledged it, the entire forest was ablaze. With all the deaths happening today from drug overdoses, every minute is critical.
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16 Comments on "EARLY INTERVENTION: EVERY MINUTE IS CRITICAL"
Dear Rita, Good for you. Those early years are critical. It takes courage for the parent to act as you did at such an early age. I admire you.
Dear Susan, I’m so sorry. Your pain is the worst, and my heart aches for you and your family. You’re right that alcohol is deadly and needs to be taken seriously. Of all the drugs, alcohol is KING, and more people die of alcohol detox than heroin detox. The government gives us no rules for dealing with addiction – only incarceration instead of treatment. My love to you.
You were fortunate to have the financial resources to provide 18 months of rehab and that your son was willing to cooperate. Sometimes catching it at the onset can work but only if the addict or potential addict recognizes the problem and is willing to work at it.
Dear Barbara, You are SO correct. Jeff was in 12 treatment centers and insurance paid only once – and only for three days! This was years ago, and I pray things are changing. Nothing is easy with addiction.
Dear Pat,
The years of dealing with addiction have made you wise. Although I wish that you (or me or anyone) never had to go through this, we can learn together. You’re right – there is no blame or shame. Addiction takes all we know about love and smashes it. It is a family disease, and we need to work on our own recovery. Please keep coming back.
How do you convince a 21 yr old he has a problem and needs to go away for atleast a year? I can’t make him go and he won’t go on his own!