This week, Google suddenly announced that they’d stopped running ads for treatment centers. The recovery world was rocked, but it was welcomed by many as a sign that Google had recognized that shady centers were gaming the system. Now, the best resources will hopefully rise to the top.
But if you can’t depend on Google to answer your recovery questions, where can you turn?
Trying to help a loved one who is struggling with addiction can be overwhelming with so many options – and still, in a way, so few options – available.
Where do you begin? Who should you trust? The following questions can help guide you as begin to look for an interventionist or addiction counselor.
- What is your background and training? Are you a licensed counselor?
- What are your credentials? Are you certified?
- How many interventions have you done?
- Are you a member of a professional organization?
- Can we have references from other families you’ve done interventions for?
- Do you work for a treatment center? And do you refer clients only to that treatment center? Do you receive any kickbacks or payments from treatment centers?
- Are you truly independent? Is it fair to say that you work only for us, the family?
- What kinds of placement options will you give us? How many will we have to choose from
- How will we navigate insurance coverage versus out-of-pocket expenses?
- How do we pay you? What are your fees?
For more on where to turn when you need help getting help, listen to this week’s podcast with host Dan Griffin and interventionist David Brown, below.
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About Our Guest
David Brown is a professional counselor, interventionist, mentor, coach, public speaker and educator. You are likely to find him in any conversation related to recovery and the world of addiction. He is passionate about working with men and helping them on their journey.
He has done over 350 interventions. He stresses that the most successful interventions he has done were ones in which concern was conveyed without shame, without ultimatums, without being hurtful. We hold loved ones accountable without being hurtful. The family is trained to express what they see and how they feel about it and are taught that they may only be planting seeds that grow later. We tend to judge our efforts by the outcomes but we have no control over the outcomes. We just give it our best most informed shot! What is really important are the family efforts and their expressions of love.
He was educated in England and has traveled the world extensively during a successful career in international sales. He has lived in Germany, Kenya, and India and made his home in the USA some years ago. He speaks German fluently. He is an exceptional communicator, storyteller and polished presenter with expertise in strategic and consultative selling. He brings an entrepreneurial background to the Behavioral Health Field and has a unique Rolodex of important contacts in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the Far East.
He has been married to the Lovely Lucy for 34 years and is a proud man in recovery.
Addiction & Recovery Resources
Reliable resources for learning more about addiction and finding help for yourself, a friend, or a family member.
General Information about Addiction
SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association
For People with Substance Addictions
For Families and Friends of People with Substance Addictions
SMART Recovery Family and Friends
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
