Interventionist Interview, Author Tony Boyle and his new book Beyond Passion

My interview with Tony Boyle author of a new book on Alcoholism's toll on families. The Australian author talks about "Beyond Passion".

Addiction and Money

Most of us think of money as a powerful, effective tool. We like it, we need it, we work for it. We use it for fun and necessities. But, consider this . . . can it ever be harmful?
For addicts, alcoholics and their loving families, many times money can not only be a detriment, it can be deadly. Sometimes I think of it as the Great Eraser. Arrested? Money pays the bail, fines, lawyer . . . erase . . . problem gone. Marital problems? Money pays the lawyer, buys a new house to live in, new car to make you feel good . . . erase . . problem gone. Business difficulties? Money pays off disgruntled clients, business associates, various creditors and others breathing down our necks . . . erase . . . problem gone.
Reality check: Problem not gone. Problem just postponed or moved to a different venue or person.
The only time money is an alcoholic, addict or their family's friend is when it is used to treat the real problem, the addiction, and not used in imaginary attempts to erase it.

Intervention! Who Decides?

When a person's drinking, drugging or other addiction becomes a problem who is it who decides to do a professional family intervention? Is it the person closest to the addict/alcoholic (a spouse or parent), a friend or a more distant relative? Is it one person or a group?

The answer is that anyone can decide to start or investigate the intervention process. Generally, it is someone close to the alcoholic/addict although sometimes it is someone more distant (a therapist, clergy member, doctor, lawyer, co-worker or colleague) who suggests the idea to a closer family member who then picks up the ball and runs with it. A commonly held belief is that the whole family group has to be in agreement before the process can even be broached. This is not so and it rarely is. It simply takes one person willing to investigate the option. From here, if others in the family group are willing to learn about professional intervention and engage a short consult with an interventionist, they can quickly learn if intervention is an appropriate option for their situation. If it is, one person generally spearheads the process and the group is on their way. It is not uncommon for people to have fears and doubts around the process, but with guidance all of this is overcome.

So, know this: It is a myth that everyone in the family system has to agree before professional intervention can be considered. It just takes one person to get the ball rolling. With professional help others are educated and join in and the momentum to move from pain to solution is started.

But, what happens if the family is not in agreement as to what the "real" problem is? What role does the alcoholic/addict's attitude have on the intervention process? Stay tuned for answers to these questions.