Vancouver, BC - January 19, 2009 – As we move further into 2009 it becomes apparent to many of us that making resolutions is easy: keeping them is much harder. The Orchard Recovery Center on Bowen Island has seen a sharp spike in the number of admissions that are a direct result of formal interventions in the first two weeks of January.

The holiday season typically ends in chaos with a string of broken promises from the active alcoholic or addict in the family. The failure to keep their New Year’s resolutions to quit drinking or using drugs can be the breaking point. Time for a drug alcohol rehab centers approach. Anxious family, friends and or employers can help by providing caring support and direction in the form of an intervention as a gateway to treatment and recovery.

Many times we have loved ones who are not ready, willing or able to take the necessary steps to seek help for their addiction; they are caught in a self-destructive cycle of shame, guilt and remorse. Denial of the problem is a classic symptom of the disease.

The fortunate alcoholic or addict still has the support of people who are willing to band together in a desperate attempt to save the life of their loved one. The gift of an intervention may be the single most important and lasting gift you will ever give (see testimonials below).

The Orchard works with a number of highly skilled Interventionists who are able to help families get their loved one into treatment. The Orchard’s Interventionists can be used no matter which treatment facility you choose. The intervention not only gives the addict the opportunity to help themselves, but gives family members a chance to understand the impact of their loved one’s addiction and begins the process of healing for the whole family.

The Orchard Recovery Center is a private residential treatment facility located on Bowen Island, 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. The Orchard offers primary care (limited to a maximum of 25 clients), extended care and sober-living; all enhanced by it’s location on several landscaped acres on four properties, and modern treatment, living and recreation facilities. An experienced, skilled and caring staff ensures a high standard of care in a secluded, comfortable environment. For more information go to: www.orchardrecovery.com or call direct: 604.947.0420 or toll free: 1.866.233.2299.

Intervention Reflection #1

"Looking back to the day of my intervention 18 months ago I remember when I walked down the stairs and I saw not only my parents, but my grandparents and family friends sitting in a circle. I knew that something was going on and when the Interventionist walked up to me my mind froze over and I went into a deep panic. I didn’t know how to deal with it so I started swearing and wouldn’t look at anyone other than the Interventionist. I was so terrified of being confronted, I was still under the illusion I had kept my problem a secret and I felt betrayed that everyone knew. I turned and walked out the door. I felt so manipulated; I wanted to be left alone. The interventionist followed me and persisted; she wouldn’t leave me alone. She stayed and talked to me for an hour. She told me about a treatment center called the Orchard in Canada. I knew I needed help but I felt like I couldn’t let them win. I was so stubborn that she gave up talking to me and ended up guiding my family towards the next step, which was an ultimatum for me.

They called me on my cell phone and the only reason I answered was because I wanted to yell at them. Instead they told me “there is a bag on the porch, we will take you to treatment with it or you can take the bag and contact us when you are ready, but you can’t contact us until then”. This made me even angrier; I thought they had committed the ultimate sin as parents. I felt they had to let me stay at home, and so I came home and tried to find the crack in their resolve, I really thought I could break them. I turned everything on them, blaming and yelling, I heard their pleas but I was shut off. It started to sink in that I was not going to change their minds then they told me I would have to leave or they would call the police.

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I ended up telling them I would go to the Orchard for two days only and it wasn’t going to work. They grabbed that opening and put me in the car and off we went. My anger at them probably saved my life because when I got to Orchard Recovery Center I realized it was not boot camp and I realized I would rather stick it out than go home.

It took a full three weeks in treatment before I even phoned them. I wouldn’t even allow them to call the Orchard. Slowly I realized it really was working for me. I never thought I would care enough to try and make it work. I did what I was told because I didn’t want to get kicked out and I kept going through the motions. I gained hope by listening to others who had done some of the same things I had done, like drink two bottles of vodka in a day, and they had felt exactly like I had and they had got past it and cared enough about themselves to do something. It gave me just enough hope to keep staying one more day. It gave me permission to be truly honest about how I felt which on most days wasn’t what people were hoping to hear. I realized everyone still cared and I wasn’t ostracized for not having the feelings I thought I was supposed to have. Letting go of the secret allowed room for relationships and new concepts to take root. It kept surprising me when I kept signing on for longer and eventually going to the Orchard’s extended care house.

I was stubborn but somehow I kept doing what the staff told me, like "just do the next right thing" - I didn’t know what that was but I trusted that the staff at the treatment center did. I believed them when they said things like, "I promise if you do the work it will get better”. Today I am 22 years old and the peer leader of the Orchard’s men’s extended care house. I can’t believe I am even deserving of the trust and responsibilities. I have more good days than bad days, I talk to my parents and they come to visit and I go back to Seattle to visit them. I have not raised my voice at my parents in almost a year and a half. I thought my parents were handing me a death sentence but now I know they saved my life."

Shawn – Seattle, WA

Intervention Reflection #2

"When I arrived at my house and saw my friends and family there, I knew what was up - I’d seen it on TV - they were holding an intervention. I put up a lot of resistance - it was earth shattering, but my family said it was time. I was asking for it, I can see that now. I went directly from the intervention to the Orchard Recovery Center on Bowen Island. At the time I didn’t really even know what I was going to be doing there.

It took me 10 months to thoroughly and honestly go through the steps of recovery because of my fear of confrontation and accountability. Now I can see my parents as human-beings, and we now have a good relationship. I have more compassion and understanding for them and what I have put them through.

Although I was resistant at first I know that the intervention and treatment was exactly what I needed. I am grateful to my family and friends; if not for their intervention and my time spent at the Orchard I would not have all of the good things I have in my life today."

Dave – Vancouver, BC

Contact: Lorinda Strang – Director
Email: lorinda@orchardrecovery.com
Toll free: 1.866.233.2299
Direct: 604. 947 0420
Fax: 604.947.0412

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