Without proper interventions, many family members and friends needlessly overdose every year.

You may know a family member or friend who is in denial about their alcohol and/or drug abuse problem. They assure you that they have it "under control" or may say something similar to "I would know if I had a real problem." Unfortunately, many times these same people become another fatality statistic because no one held an intervention. Have you been putting off looking into an intervention for your loved one? The main reason you are waiting is because you thought you couldn't afford it? At The Cottages of the Palm Beaches we offer affordable, low cost interventions that work just as effectively as the expensive interventions.

We only work with professional and highly qualified interventionists. They provide their services at a reduced fee in order to be able to help those that don't have the means to pay full price but desperately need help for their loved one.

Any intervention begins as a well orchestrated meeting. During the intervention, family members and friends meet with the individual who has an alcohol and/or substance abuse problem. in a loving and caring manner, the goal of an intervention is to get the afflicted individual to see how their behavior is negatively impacting both themselves and the people around them. Ultimately, the primary objective is to get the person into rehab that same day or as soon as possible.

An intervention is a structured and supportive process of getting help for a person who is in denial or has refused to get help for their alcoholism or substance abuse. An intervention is a solution-focused process consisting of a small group of close friends, family members or co-workers who come together in a non-judgmental manner.

Contact us right now if your loved one needs an intervention!

There are many forms of addiction that require a professional intervention. Listed below are some of the more prominent addictions and how they can negatively effect an individual.

Alcoholism

The sustained abuse of alcohol has numerous long-term physiological effects including, but not limited to, liver damage, heart disease, brain damage, stomach and esophageal ulcers, skin problems, sexual performance problems, memory loss, vitamin deficiencies, etc. Other issues include emotional instability and irritability. Many alcoholics fail to see themselves as an alcoholic, ascribing their abuse as controllable and acceptable. That perception is compounded by the fact that alcohol is not a controlled substance or illegal, and thus generally consumed. An alcoholic is often more open to the need for treatment after injuring others or damaging property while under the influence. For the long-term abusing alcoholic, alcohol detox is often required prior to entering the rehabilitation phase of alcohol treatment due to the medical complications that may develop as a result of immediate cessation of alcohol ingestion.

Opiate Addiction

The primary opiates derived from opium are morphine, codeine and thebaine. These are narcotics used for their analgesic (pain relieving) properties. Opiates act as CNS (Central Nervous System) depressants. Prolonged use of opiates eventually change the brain in fundamental and lasting ways, which explains why addicts can't simply quit without professional help. This is why treatment is essential. Drugs take over the brain’s normal pleasure and motivational systems, advancing the drug use to the highest priority in the individual’s motivational hierarchy, thus overriding all other motivations and drives. These brain changes are responsible for the compulsion to seek/use drugs, which is defined as addiction.

Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine is an insidious drug. It acts as a dopaminergic and adrenergic reuptake inhibitor and as a sympathomimetic. Since it stimulates the mesolimbic reward pathway causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to abuse and addiction. Methamphetamine rapidly enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or assembling and disassembling objects. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug cravings. Often times, users of methamphetamine take one or more benzodiazepines as a means of "coming down."

Heroin Addiction

Heroin is a synthetic opiate derived from morphine, however is four times more addictive. It is illegal to manufacture, distribute or possess. Heroin is very addictive and habit forming and frequent repeated intake causes a rapid development of tolerance. As a Schedule I narcotic drug, heroin produces an intense euphoria upon intake. However, the euphoria disappears with increasing tolerance. Although the chemical structure is similar to morphine, heroin metabolizes into morphine in the brain. Many heroin users claim somewhat different perceived effects, thus making it a more popular recreational drug. Heroin is taken orally, nasally, by smoking, intravenously and through other less common methods.

Detoxification from heroin is critical prior to commencing rehabilitation. Although detoxification itself is not a treatment for addiction, it can help relieve withdrawal symptoms while the patient adjusts to being heroin free. Fortunately, there are a number of effective options for treating heroin addiction. Long-term heroin use should not be abruptly discontinued except under the supervision of an experienced physician, who can manage the withdrawal symptoms and minimize the withdrawal period.

Prescription Drug Addiction

Severe physiological and psychological effects may occur as a result of prescription drug abuse. These effects are extremely broad in scope and intensity, some of which can result in death. Many severe physiological symptoms of prescription drug abuse include respiratory depression/arrest, loss of consciousness, coma and death. Less severe side effects include lowered heart rate, shallow respiration, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, pupil constriction, itching, and rash, among many others.

Cocaine-Crack Addiction

Cocaine is a potent Central Nervous System  (CNS) stimulant. Its effects can last from twenty minutes to several hours, depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, purity, and method of administration. The initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria. The euphoria is sometimes followed by feelings of discomfort and depression and a craving to experience the drug again. Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.

With excessive dosage the drug can produce itching, tachycardia, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. Overdose causes tachyarrhythmias and a marked elevation of blood pressure. These can be life-threatening, especially if the user has existing cardiac problems.

Chronic cocaine intake may result in the following conditions: a lifetime risk of heart attack – cocaine abusers are seven times more likely to suffer from heart attack than non-users – chest pain, lung trauma, shortness of breath, sore throat, flu-like symtoms, degradation of the nasal septum cartilage, autoimmune and/or connective tissue diseases, kidney diseases and renal failure. Although these latter conditions are commonly diagnosed in chronic users, they may also be caused by short term exposure in susceptible individuals.

We are always here and ready to help, so call us today 24/7 Toll-Free at (866) 559-2228.