September, 2005
When chronic alcoholics and drug addicts refuse to seek treatment, a professional interventionist is often called in to assist in moving the process along toward effective treatment – usually with the co-operation of the addict himself. With the growing public interest in the success of this practice and the now popular A&E television show, INTERVENTION, Larry King hosted a one-hour television program on the subject.
Jeff VanVonderan, a professional interventionist frequently called in by Pacific Hills treatment centers in cases where there is resistance, has an astounding rate of over 95% success where this approach is taken. The broadcast focused on the gentleness of a professional approach and the need for firmness, planning and dignity.
The two clients featured and interviewed, "Brad" and "Christine", while at first very resistant to the idea of quitting their long-term addictive behaviors, did indeed submit to the urging of their families and loved ones' poignant requests and were presented with an intervention. Thirty days later, each had successfully completed the Residential Treatment program and each chose to enter the thirty-day Transitional Care phase of treatment