DeAnne
Mike CrowlAward-Winning Alcohol & Drug Addiction Book
July 21st 2008 20:08
People do not have to wait for someone they care about to "hit bottom". Family and friends of an alcoholic or drug addict can play an active role in accelerating the process of "hitting rock bottom"--by allowing natural consequences to happen. Boulder author Joe Herzanek explores the concept of "raising the bottom" in his award-winning book “Why Don’t They JUST QUIT?”.
Boulder author Joe Herzanek explores the concept of "raising the bottom" in his award-winning book “Why Don’t They JUST QUIT?”. Herzanek explains, “This whole idea of “hitting bottom” is out of date. Some people will wait years—even decades—for their friend to reach this mythical point in their alcohol and drug use. But why wait for them to “hit bottom”? Why not help them by raising their bottom?”
Joe uses decades of successful experience counseling families, inmates in the Boulder County Jail, and with his own son, to explain how this works.
Herzanek—a recovering addict/alcoholic himself says, “My Mother Gladys, successfully used this idea with me thirty years ago, which led to twenty-nine days in treatment and a life of recovery. There are ways to encourage someone to reach for help much earlier and by doing so, we can avoid a lot of unnecessary pain and heartache—and maybe even save their life. For some people, hitting bottom will be six feet underground.”
Joe explains further, “Does everyone have to hit rock bottom? I would say no.Tough love can prevent a substance abuser from prolonging their usage. There are loving ways to refuse to rescue someone that in the long run will help him or her to choose recovery. Loving means doing the right thing to help. This can take all of our strength and energy at times. We all hate to see someone suffer—even when the suffering is a consequence of his or her bad choices.
This approach, or some form of it, is something you might consider; Raise the bottom. The next time this person you care about appeals to you to get them out of a bind (loan them money, pay their electric bill, buy them gas, pay for a lawyer), think twice. You just might be prolonging their disease and robbing them of the natural consequences that they need to experience in order to seek help and begin to connect the dots.”
Book Web Site: www.whydonttheyjustquit.com
Changing Lives Foundation Web Site:www.changinglivesfoundat ion.org
Email: jherzanek@gmail.com
Boulder author Joe Herzanek explores the concept of "raising the bottom" in his award-winning book “Why Don’t They JUST QUIT?”. Herzanek explains, “This whole idea of “hitting bottom” is out of date. Some people will wait years—even decades—for their friend to reach this mythical point in their alcohol and drug use. But why wait for them to “hit bottom”? Why not help them by raising their bottom?”
Joe uses decades of successful experience counseling families, inmates in the Boulder County Jail, and with his own son, to explain how this works.
Herzanek—a recovering addict/alcoholic himself says, “My Mother Gladys, successfully used this idea with me thirty years ago, which led to twenty-nine days in treatment and a life of recovery. There are ways to encourage someone to reach for help much earlier and by doing so, we can avoid a lot of unnecessary pain and heartache—and maybe even save their life. For some people, hitting bottom will be six feet underground.”
Joe explains further, “Does everyone have to hit rock bottom? I would say no.Tough love can prevent a substance abuser from prolonging their usage. There are loving ways to refuse to rescue someone that in the long run will help him or her to choose recovery. Loving means doing the right thing to help. This can take all of our strength and energy at times. We all hate to see someone suffer—even when the suffering is a consequence of his or her bad choices.
This approach, or some form of it, is something you might consider; Raise the bottom. The next time this person you care about appeals to you to get them out of a bind (loan them money, pay their electric bill, buy them gas, pay for a lawyer), think twice. You just might be prolonging their disease and robbing them of the natural consequences that they need to experience in order to seek help and begin to connect the dots.”
Book Web Site: www.whydonttheyjustquit.com
Changing Lives Foundation Web Site:www.changinglivesfoundat ion.org
Email: jherzanek@gmail.com
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