FAMILIES, FRIENDS VITAL IN HELPING ADDICTS HEAL

Families can have a tremendous influence in helping someone deal with
drug or alcohol problems, says Victoria addictions counsellor Sue Donaldson.

"The [addicted person] can't see what's going on with them. It's part
of the nature of alcoholism and addiction is you can't see clearly
what's going on. So you need the clear sight of a family to affect
change," she said.

An addictions counsellor and certified interventionist, Donaldson,
who owns Pegasus Recovery Solutions, has been involved in addictions
counselling since 1995. She facilitates about two interventions a month.

"Often intervention is the last resort. They've usually exhausted
talking, pleading and cajoling and begging. Most people have
exhausted their resources by the time they seek the help of a
professional," Donaldson said.

"An intervention, to a large degree, is helping the family understand
what leverage they can bring -how they can help motivate their loved
one and not just sort of stand and turn a blind eye."

Typically, an intervention begins with a call from a family member.
"Generally it's either parents or a partner or adult children who are
concerned about a loved one. It could be alcohol or drugs, often they
don't really know what's going on. They just know that all is not
well," said Donaldson.

Neal Berger, executive director of the Cedars recovery centre, says
family interventions represent the single best thing he's seen in 30
years in the field. "Our evidence shows that people who are forced
into treatment tend to do the best."

Donaldson's first task is to ensure the problem is really substance
abuse, and not a family member with an ax to grind.

Much of her work is in preparation. Donaldson has to spend a lot of
time -a day or more -with family, friends and concerned individuals
to sort out what needs to happen, and how to engage the addicted individual.

Treatment options will be teed up. Donaldson will help those involved
eliminate potential barriers -from jobs to money to looking after the
cat -that the addict might raise as a reason why he or she can't
enter treatment.

Family members learn that it's not just the addict who will have to
make changes.

"If there haven't been some fundamental changes made with the family
and the other family members, you haven't created a context for them
to stay clean and sober and on track in recovery."

The cost of interventions can range from about $3,000 to $7,800,
including six months of post-treatment monitoring and aftercare.