Addiction Intervention Testimonials

"I wanted to spend a few minutes and let you know how fortunate I feel for contacting you back at the end of June ...I am not sure it could be going any better considering all the wild turns this case has taken.. Thank you very much for your direction in our matters."

- San Diego, California

"...The purpose of this letter is to convey the very positive experience we had working with John Southworth and his service through the alcohol intervention process with our mother.

Our family was made aware of John's service as a 'top rate' substance abuse interventionist through our informational contact with the Betty Ford Center. At the time, we felt like very lost souls, not knowing where to turn, what to do, and how to go about it. The counselor's put us in contact with John and we were on our way.

Our first conversation with John was immediately gratifying as he reassured us that we indeed were doing the right thing and effectively answered every question we had about the intervention process.

The day of the drug intervention will forever be etched in all our family's minds as we were all feeling knotted stomachs, tremendous anxiety, and outright fear of what we were embarking on. John swooped in like Superman and put our family at ease. He used humor and a calming demeanor to truly prepare our family for the drug intervention process. I think his years of intervention experience really showed through as he found a way to make each and every one of us feel ready and confident about the task at hand.

During the drug intervention, our mother was understandably shocked, angry and argumentative. With relative ease, John used his communication skills to cut through all the objections and reasons why she was not able or willing to go to the treatment center. We were extremely impressed with how John was able to catch my mother's attention and force her to really internalize the seriousness of the situation and enable her to allow us to help by agreeing to go to the treatment facility.

Our mother just finished her first month of sobriety at the Betty Ford Center and is progressing extremely well. We all feel very confident that she now has the tools she needs to fight the disease of alcoholism. On several occasions, our mom has confessed that she never would have accepted going to treatment without the presence of John during the intervention.

Thank you again for helping our family get back on the right track!"

- San Francisco, California

"John, I cannot thank you enough for taking my every call (and I mean every time no matter when), answering every question, giving me confidence that doing an intervention was the act of love, and finally taking me out of the 'spin cycle' of not knowing where to turn...You helped us get someone who was deep in denial into treatment ...I have a few things I would like to share with people who are faced with the same problem I was. First, take decisive action. Do not worry about fallout from the drug addict you love - they will love you more when all is said and done. Second, minimize the chance of failure, and get a professional to assist in the intervention... Third, addiction affects every member of the family - even you...[John] cares, he loves, and he has been in our situation before. Trust him."

- Burlingame, California

"Many, Many thanks for again helping us. Your recommendation was excellent."

- Solana Beach, California

"...we were on the phone with John Southworth again, leaning into his amazingly sound judgment, gleaning advice based on his years of experience with treatment centers all around the country...John Southworth was pivotal to each of our decisions during this family crisis. Without his wise counsel and encouragement, our story could have been so different."

- Northern California

"...I am thinking again about your wonderful staff. Thank you for helping me make the right choice and open the door for a new life. I was so lost a year ago, and all of you listened to all of my concerns."

- Altadena, California

"...I have been thinking about you lately and just have to send a quick note of thanks to you for helping us. Wonderful things have happened to all of us and we count our blessings each day. Our daughter is beginning a new job. She has taught me so much and so have you. I want you to know that you are appreciated for all that you have done."

- Atherton, California

"...Thanks so much for helping get [my father] into drug treatment and allowing him to grasp that ray of hope! You are such an inspiration to both [my husband] and I - We are repeatedly singing praises in your name. Although I hope we never need your services again, I want you to know you'll be first for us to recommend you!"

- Altadena, California

"...I just want to thank Southworth Associates and John in particular for his help and support with the recent drug intervention on my sister. He made a situation that, to me, was terrifying, manageable and possible."

"He supported me every step of the way - was only a telephone call away day or night. And, I did call him several times during the days prior to the intervention. He always responded within minutes, reassured me and gave me the courage to proceed."

"The pre-conference with participants prior to the drug intervention was handled with warmth and encouragement yet in a manner that left no question that this was the right thing to do. The intervention itself, though stressful, went well and John flew with my sister to the treatment center."

"So, my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Southworth Associates and John."

- Camarillo, California

"My wife and I are very grateful to you … Despite the usual reluctance and apprehension by our son just before intake, everything went smoothly. Thank you for taking the time to help us."

- California

"I wanted to take this opportunity to convey my relief and heart-felt thanks for everything that you and your staff have done for my family.

My [age] son is an addict, using multi-substances.  I was referred to you by several people contemporaneously.  John [from a treatment center], Daryl [from another treatment center], and, I believe, Harry [from a treatment center].  I immediately contacted your office and spoke with your very helpful staff, Christopher, in particular.

He took information over the phone from me in a calm and professional way, and he requested that I send additional records and data concerning my son’s past rehab experiences.  Thereafter, I called you on your cell phone and hooked up with you somewhere in Mississippi.  We talked about my concerns regarding my son, his addictions to multi-substances, and his long-standing chronic pain.  The chronic pain issues emanated from [an accident].  He has been evaluated and treated at several well know chronic pain centers, yet his condition has progressively become worse.  In fact, he has become addicted to the opiates which were prescribed for his pain.

Both his mother and I were very apprehensive about conducting an Intervention and it was only after we found out about your background, experience, and the services offered by Southworth Associates, that we began to feel we had come to the right place.

You had several telephone conversations with the individuals who would be participating in the Intervention: his mother, myself, his best friend, his girlfriend were all given as much of your time as they needed while you calmed their concerns.

On the day before the Intervention, you arrived in town as promised and we all met to conduct a rehearsal.  This was both very informative in so far as it provided a preview of what would occur the following day at the Intervention, and it also served to encourage some and relieve the fears of others.  It was clear to all of us that you were the consummate expert, based upon your 20 some years of experience and your very low key demeanor.  We were all much better equipped emotionally following the evening rehearsal.

The next day went exactly as you had predicted.  You had it planned somewhat like a military operation, in that, all possible contingencies were identified and counter measures were developed by you for each of them.  Actually the Intervention was sort of anti climatic.  We, the participants, were exceptionally well prepared by for anything that might happen, yet when all was said and done, it went very smoothly, as though you had choreographed the event.

After about 1 ½ to 2 hours my son was ready to leave his apartment with you, as you were providing transportation to [treatment].  Several hours later in the afternoon, I received a call from you which confirmed your arrival and the very uneventful delivery of my son to the care of the medical professionals at [treatment].

That was day one.  You have said that you will remain involved in my son’s rehabilitation and will always be available 24/7 should circumstances require your further expertise.  You have assured both his mother and I that you are there for us for our son’s entire rehabilitation, and can provide or recommend whatever services that may be needed.  This is indeed a long and unfamiliar journey for us, but I must tell you that we truly feel that you are now “one of the family” and our anxiety level has diminished greatly.  In fact, we have now been able to return to the other parts of our lives because we know that you will always be there for us and our son."

-San Francisco, California

"I know I have said this many times, but you hold a very special place in my heart. The work you do with hundreds of alcoholics, the willingness of going to any length to get someone sober, & the continuous giving to people ....has me in awe. I hope someday I have the honor of sitting down with you & learning more about you. You make me smile when I think of you & I hope I do the same for you. Take care or you. Please call if I can ever be of service." -California

"Our family knew that an intervention was probably our only hope in getting my wife to step up and deal with her alcohol addiction. Just as we had gone over in the rehearsal the night before; my wife ran out the door when confronted by John that we were going to be having a family meeting about a crisis we had to deal with. 10 minutes later John came back in the house with his arm around my wife and her sobbing. 45 minutes later my wife was walking out the door with John and her sister after she uttered the words "I'll go" and heading to the airport for Betty Ford Center. John is a compassionate and caring individual who helped us get the intervention done and was there every step of the way."

- Parker, Colorado

"When I started researching substance abuse rehabilitation choices for my son, I was terrified, not knowledgeable, and uncertain as to what to do. John Southworth made me and our entire family feel like 'We were in good hands.' It was obvious that he is an expert at drug abuse intervention.

I cannot emphasize strongly enough the need to have an substance abuse interventionist involved in helping your loved one. My son would not be in rehab today were it not for John. Our family would NOT have been able to convince him to go. To this day, I don't know how he did it!!!

He also gave the entire circle of family and friends the feeling that he cared about us and gave us recommendations for helping ourselves!

Thank you John and all the lovely people at Southworth [Associates] who listened and soothed us in our decision."

- Sarasota, Florida

"...Last summer we met on the telephone following a recommendation from the Betty Ford Center. My life was in crisis because of my husband's addiction to pain medications and my codependent behavior...Simply put, you saved my life. I felt as if a fireman had just carried me from an exploding building giving me oxygen. You then rushed me to a hospital where they not only saved my life they returned my life to me. I have never lived without fear and anxiety. I grew up in an abusive, alcoholic home and continued to live as a codependent my entire life. Because my eight weeks in Rancho Mirage I am working to be free of my codependent ways. I have learned that it will be a lifelong battle, like any other addiction, but that with the help of my higher power and the steps I can do it one day at a time...God bless you for your compassion and professionalism. Your continued support means more than I can say. It makes me smile to think that you are out there fighting and rescuing people everyday."

- Fort Myers, Florida

"...Your warmth and openness made quite an impact on me."

- Florida

"It has now been three weeks since we had an intervention for my lovely wife. I had postponed an intervention because I had the preconceived notion that an intervention was a confrontational and painful event. Thanks to you, I now know that is not accurate. As I discovered, an intervention is an opportunity to save a life in a most loving way. For someone to hear how much they are loved and they are adored by the people that really care about them is an amazing experience. Most people probably never, in their lifetime, get to hear their friends and loved ones express how and why they care about them. It is truly a gift of giving.

Perhaps we should have an intervention for our loved ones and friends on a regular basis and tell them how much we love them and care about them. It would make us all better and happier people.

Thank you for your care and support in a most difficult time. If anyone wants to know more, please have them contact me and will gladly share my experience. I wish you and your loved ones good health and happiness in the years to come."

- Florida

"Just wanted to touch base with you and let you know how my daughter is doing. She has been home for a while now and is so much happier. She is working six days a week and doing and on-line class at the community college. Needless to say, staying busy is wonderful for her, but her job has allowed her to interact with an entirely different, positive, energetic group of young people and she finds that life is pretty good these days! She is still a little mad that we intervened on her, but, she understands why it was done, and she loves us anyway!

John, you would not recognize her. She goes to work every morning dressed in a business suit, hair and make-up to perfection. She is happy and is socializing with the family and a delight to be around again.

Regardless of whether or not the intervention worked at the time, without you and your support we would never had the stamina to do what had to be done and we would not be where we are with her today. I realize that there is always the possibility of a relapse, but even in that event, she and our family are much better prepared to handle whatever the future holds for us. We thank you for that and we pray for you daily and the families in your care."

- Florida

"...John Southworth and his team represent the epitome of excellence. John performed a drug intervention for a family member of ours allowing her to maintain her dignity and grace as she went into treatment. He facilitated and was able to help get her to recognize on her own that she needed treatment, and finally make the choice to go. He was never forceful or rigid; he was there to help guide the process and support the family. John Southworth saved my mother's life."

- Savannah, Georgia

“Thank you for all the information and emotional support you gave me in July when I called you regarding rehab centers in Hawaii…When [treatment center] would not take [our son] because he had not ‘hit bottom’ you assisted me in my desire to create a false bottom for [my son] by encouraging me in my desire to do an intervention…

Unfortunately, Hawaii is extremely lacking in people with any intervention knowledge or experience.  Even professional therapists here do not seem to really grasp the nature and commitment of an intervention.

Thank you for being so accessible, open, and informative.  Interventions are not easy during the best of circumstances, and in Hawaii it seemed more like the worst of them.  With grateful Aloha"

- The Big Island, Hawaii

"I hope this letter finds you happy and well. I also hope you remember me. I think of you often because you helped save my life over 21 years ago. You came to [my] High School and told your story and gave me your card. I was being abused and had been since I was a baby. I drank every day and wanted to kill myself. I called you late one night after a bad black-out, knowing that I had been places and done things that I couldn't live with. You were kind but firm about sending me to AA. My life changed so much! At 16 I reported the abuse (which put an end to it). I went to AA and not only got sober, but found a home and family. Some of my best memories of those early days were of the Impact teacher Training Workshops that you took me to. Traveling with you, and sometimes other teens, was a lot of fun for me. It also gave me much needed self-esteem."

- Idaho

"...The Idaho State Board of Medicine would like to thank you for the time and assistance you have so generously provided in this matter... The personal contributions of the advocates of health care providers, such as you, facilitate the Board in meeting and fulfilling its statutory responsibilities as well as promote optimum health care here in Idaho..."

- Idaho Board of Medicine

"...How can I ever thank you enough! If it were not for your help and the support of the program, well, I hesitate to think where that would have left me. I am more appreciative than words can express..."

- Boise, Idaho

"...3 years ago I called for your advice about my son who was drinking heavily. You suggested we try to run a drinking intervention on him. Our family showed up in your office with our reluctant son. He left with tears in his eyes but that meeting made a big difference. He did attend 3 months of AA meetings. He listened, watched, and took part in the group activities. He graduated from BSU and has been holding a responsible job. You made a difference, you forced us to stay on task and accept responsibility, and you helped guide us through the difficult time. Thank you, you made a difference in our lives. We each have a purpose on this earth. Thank you for sharing your purpose with us..."

- Eagle, Idaho

"It's every parent's nightmare: I discovered that my teenage daughter was using drugs...This letter is more about the miracle that happened after the nightmare. I had no idea where to turn. My daughter's life and well-being were at risk. A friend suggested I contact Mr. John Southworth, who I learned, was a leading ' drug interventionist' in Boise, Idaho...It was difficult to leave the care of my daughter to strangers, far from me and family...Mr. Southworth wisely advised the longer she could stay the better...I hope this letter will help other parents going through a similar situation as I faced."

- Boise, Idaho

"Thank you for your generosity and guidance---you made a difference."

- Boise, Idaho

"My personal experience with the PRN program here in Idaho was one of complete satisfaction and positive influence.

All of the personnel at PRN were extremely helpful in helping me to identify and cope with all facets of my 'addictive process' and treatment. They were most certainly the biggest factor in saving my life from the horrible disease of addiction through their support and advice.

Their influence was one of helping me to understand that I was not alone, and that treatment for my disease was available, possible and appropriate to my personal needs.

I will be forever grateful to them for all the help that I received. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul."

- Rexburg, Idaho

“Just a short note to let you know how thankful I am to have my husband back; the man I married, the man I fell in love with and the man I intend to spend the rest of my life with.  Without our past intervention and subsequent treatment I know I would have lost him and any hope he ever had of living his life the way he always planned.  More than just my husbands return to sanity, I want to thank you for my homecoming.  I feel like I can see things clearly, certainly what I have the power to change about myself and the sanity to accept what I can't.  Our children feel so blessed to have their dad back.  I feel I have been given another chance. I am truly grateful and full of hope.  The sun is shining in my world and I know that what we have been through was certainly not easy and in fact the hardest, most gut wrenching event we have ever experienced.  But with that experience comes, growth, acceptance, understanding, love and most importantly change.  Thanks again for the service you provided to our family.  Forever grateful.  Thanks again, a most humble wife”

- Idaho

"I don’t know how to thank you enough for all you have done for my family.  You are a blessing & you have a very special gift.  We are so lucky to have met you.  Thank you…from the bottom of my heart!”
-Meridian, ID

"Thank you seems like such a small thing to say when you have blessed our lives in such a big way.  Thank you & God Bless you for all that you do!!”
-Boise, ID

"I want to thank you for all the help you have given our family.  It’s been a long journey and I don’t think it is over yet.  But I know we could not have come this far without your help and reassurance.

When we first called about our daughter and the situation you asked if we were ready to see this dreaded disease to the end.  We said yes, but didn’t realize what the full impact of that question and our answer really met. You gave us the reassurance that we had to do what was best for our daughter’s recovery and not give in to the disease of addiction.

We have learned so much during this destructive journey of addition.  When we started about there years ago my husband and I were not at the same place in admitting the severity of the problem.  Our other two daughters spent months convincing me there was a problem.  Then the three of us spent a couple more years convincing my husband that there was a serious problem.

Jon, I would like to share our journey in hopes of helping other families that are dealing with addiction and the action needed to help their love ones get the right support to bet this disease.

Our daughter moved away rather sudden after living on our family ranch with her to boys for a number of years.   She is a single mother with two boy’s one eight and the other twelve.  The eight year old boy is a diabetic and has to be monitored closely daily.  This put a greater level of concern when our daughter left so abruptly.  At this point both my husband and I felt she was running away from something.

We did an unannounced visit about two weeks after she moved.  We found the house in total disarray and our daughter out of it.  We wanted to make excuses for her as to why she was acting the way she was.  Finding accuses for her unexplained actions had become a pattern with us.  If she slept all day it was because she was a single mom with two boys and one being a diabetic she didn’t get enough sleep at night.  But our eyes told us that we had to face the truth.  She was under the influence of drugs.  That is when my husband and I became one in our thinking in fighting this disease.  From that point on we put our efforts into working together and that was so important.  When families have so much work to do and are not on the same page it makes it twice as hard.  It is so important to believe what you see and act on it.  We both knew we had to take some kind of action but didn’t know where to start.  My husband made some phone calls to professionals in the field of drug addition and they led us to you Jon.  We told you our story and that’s when you asked if we were ready to get tuff and see it to the end.  Of course we said yes and felt so much better because we were mad at this point and we wanted action.  We worked with Jon’s guidance and support and our daughter went into rehab.  But that was just the beginning.  She walked out of rehab just as fast as she went in.  We called John and he was available immediately.  He was there for us during the crises.  He walked us through with his advice and assured us that the disease had a life of its own.  At that point we took Jon’s advice and decided we may lose our relationship with our daughter but we would not lose her to this disease without fighting.  We withdraw all financial support as well as taking her car away.  Her financial situation became very grim because she was not working and bills were pilling up.  It was very hard knowing she was ruining her financial health along with her physical health.  At this point we leaned on Jon for support and strength to hold fast.  When we called him he was always available.  That was so important because when you’re feeling weak and questioning your decisions you need to talk to someone during this weak time not a day later when the crises has past.  It was every helpful to hear Jon advising you to hold fast because it is the disease that we have to fight in order to have our daughter back.

Our daughter did go back to rehab about a month later.  Due to the pressure we put on her.  We took the boys because she was unable to care for her eight year old son with diabetes.  We were not going to give them back till she got help with her addiction.  She had no money and nowhere to turn.  She stayed 20 days and left again.  She came with the police to get her boys back.  The police had to back her because we had no court order giving us custody.  Of course we called Jon and once again Jon was there guiding us.  We called an attorney to start custody proceedings.  About a month later our daughter called and said she needed help.  With your help Jon we got her get back in rehab.  When they interviewed her at the rehab center she said she knew she needed help because she had no money and her parents had cut her off financially and she couldn’t safely take care of the boys.  That was hard to hear but it was what got her back to rehab.

She stayed in rehab for about forty days and was asked to leave because she relapsed.  She knew if she relapsed this time she would be asked to leave and she was.  We called Jon and our daughter and family are working with him.  Our daughter has agreed to have Jon write up a contract and monitor her in her recovery which we still think will be successful.

This journey has taken many turns and most were not good.  But in looking back there were certainties that do hold true.  Families need to support each other and make a stand together.  When one family member starts to soften the others have to give that member the strength to stay strong.  The family members need to believe what they see and act on it.  That is so hard to do.  We all want to rationalize the problems away.  We were afraid if we were wrong and she wasn’t using drugs it could ruin our relationship and ruin her life.  You must believe what you see and face it.  If you think things are getting better it’s because you stopped looking.  And the most important thing that has helped us is the fact Jon was there.  We were on the phone with him during the crises and not days later.  He led us through many emotional trying times.  Many times we thought we were doing the right thing but it didn’t feel right, it hurt to bad to be right, he assured us it was right.  And for this Jon we are forever grateful."

Thank you,
-Idaho

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Physician's Recovery Network.....One year ago this month {PRN Board Member} came to talk to the leadership team of our small 16 bed hospital about what to do when one of our physicians returned from recovery in a few days....{PRN Board Member} did an excellent job explaining to us the role fo the PRN, the background for physicians and teh complexity of recovery from addiction. He spared nothing even explained to us what our obligations were and were not. We were well informed and understood there would be many challenges ahead for {the returning physician's} practice..... You should be proud of the efforts of everyone who has assisted this {doctor}....I am honored to have been part of this process." -Grangeville, ID

"Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for you and your staff. As you know, it is so hard to make that phone call and admit what is going on in your life. But once I did you were so remarkable. I truly leaned on you those first days to get me thru a truly difficult time. If it hadn’t been for you encouragement and guidance, I don’t know what I would have done. You gave me strength and hope. I felt as though you were my friend. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks! You truly have a gift."

- Illinios

"It has been eight months since our intervention in Chicago and I am happy to report that so far and to the best of my knowledge my son has not taken a drink and continues to be active in the program. After a month in treatment he returned to Chicago and entered a six week intense (4 nights a week for 3 hours each) out patient program and followed that up with a once a week program for a couple of months. He has been able to get all his legal issues behind him and has found a job in the same area of work as in the past. He is active in the AA program and has been active in this program since his return to Chicago.

I must say, John, that from the first day I called Betty Ford and they referred me to you for assistance---That my son’s life, our life and our relationship with him has turned in a very positive direction. You were certainly the first step down this difficult road and of course, the first step has to be successful for everything else to fall in line. It is because of that fact---we wish to thank you and commend you for successfully leading the way toward a road to recovery for my son. Of course, it is just the beginning for him be he has a different direction today and you and your team got us started."

- Illinois

"I can confidently say, our intervention would not have been successful without John Southworth.  John won't tell you what you want to hear, he'll tell you what you need to hear.  John is tough and caring all wrapped into one.  He helped our family pull our heads out of the sand, understand the problem and face the problem.  Most importantly, he reminded us of the time factor; the fact that while we were trying to make the perfect decision, there was the chance that our loved one would die, accidentally kill someone else or end up in jail with a record.

Time wasn't going to wait for us.  Unfortunately, drugs/alcohol weren't the only problem.  We had personality issues within our intervention team that John effectively managed more than anyone could have by constantly bringing the disagreements back to the issue at hand--getting help for our loved one's addiction.  Our intervention wasn't conventional as per the book, though that was our goal.  Our addict found out about the intervention beforehand and we had to do an emergency intervention with John remotely.  He took countless phone calls from everyone on the team at all hours of the night and while we would have much rather had him there, he was still an integral part of the success.  Not only did he guide us on what to do and how to act/react, he used his numerous contacts to get us into a hospital detox, after hours, without any complications.  When things didn't go to plan, he knew how to find quick solutions.  He continued to be our rock, even after the intervention.  I talked with many interventionists while I was initially researching this subject.  Many asked who else I had talked with and a couple told me that if I could get John, I should book him immediately.  He sold himself to me before that, but it was comforting to know how respected he is in the industry.  After going through an intervention with him, it's unquestionable as to why he is so respected.  I thought the intervention was going to be the hardest thing ever and have since found that there will be many obstacles to overcome.

John has given us strength and is still a big part of our lives.  He helped orchestrate a truly, life changing event.  I will forever be grateful."

- Illinois

"I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us with [our family member].  We are so grateful for having your wisdom & support.  What a wonderful gift your obstacles that you have overcome are to families like ours.”

- Wichita, Kansas

" The intervention we had…was one of the hardest and most heart breaking things we have ever had to do.  Our whole family felt this way.  However, we are so very grateful to you for coming to help us.  You did a wonderful job and we appreciate all you did so much.  We could not have done the intervention without you.  We have never been involved in an intervention, but from what we have read, and what you have told us, I guess ours was typical.  Anyway you got [him] to [treatment] and we want to thank you…Thank you for all of your wise counsel and help."

- Anonymous

"As I look back over this year and count my blessing for Thanksgiving I think often of you and what you did for [my son] and our family….none of this would have happened had it not been for you.  This family knew nothing about interventions and we all found that Sunday to be gut wrenching,  With the passage of time, we can look back on the whole experience and be thankful…..So with heartfelt thanks and gratefulness I thank you John."

- Louisville, Kentucky

"I wanted to write and thank you for the successful intervention with my father...The only regret I have is waiting so long to get help...It's great to have him back."

- New Orleans, Louisiana

"I wanted to let you know how grateful we all are.
You saved our sister’s life.

We didn’t know how bad [our sister’s] drinking problem was until last November when she went into an alcoholic coma. Her liver failed, her kidneys failed, one lung collapsed, and she had ammonia on brain.

No one said a word on the four-hour drive to say, good-bye.

The Lord heard our prayers and miraculously she came out of her coma. Then, after two months in physical rehabilitation, she came home in February.

When she relapsed in May, everybody knew we had to do something quickly. Her body couldn’t handle a near-death trauma again.

We had no experience in rescuing an alcoholic. But we learned quickly. We clocked hundreds of hours online and on the phone researching interventionists and alcohol treatment centers. We spoke with nine different rehabilitation facilities, and four interventionists. We got good advice, we got bad advice, and we got some deceptive advice too.

The clock was ticking and at midnight, 72 hours before our targeted intervention date, everything collapsed when we learned that our original interventionist was less than truthful about the rehabilitation facility where he planned to bring [our sister].

In desperation, at one o’clock in the morning, I asked the family, “What’s the best alcohol recovery program in the country?”
“Betty Ford,” everyone agreed.

We called the Betty Ford Center at ten-after-one in the morning. The counselor manning the phone was kind, empathetic, offered lots of advice— and she gave us your phone number.
 
Two days later you came across the country with a plan to rescue [our sister].

On the night before the intervention, you conducted a rehearsal so everyone knew what to expect— and how to handle those things we didn’t expect, like blocking her car in the driveway so she couldn’t drive away.

You helped formulate a simple goal that we could embrace— get [our sister] into a car of her own free will and get her off to the airport.

During the actual intervention, we confronted Ingrid with love, respect, and a gift of life.

Despite her belligerence, love and compassion won the day and [our sister] was in the car and off to the airport with you within an hour.

I’ll never forget all of her exhausted relatives and friends standing in [her] driveway watching her drive off with you. Then, spontaneously breaking into a huge round of applause. You would think we had landed [our sister] on the moon.

Today, I’m happy to report that [she] has been in treatment for 30 days. She’s promised to give treatment a chance and stay the full 90 days. She calls home every night to tell her three young children that she loves them— and that she’s 'learning how to become a better mommy.'

Your friend"

-Portland, Maine

"Thanks so much for all the help you cheerfully provide."

- Brewster, Massachusetts

"...[My wife] and I want to thank you from our hearts for your great and compassionate efforts for our family in connection with the recent alcohol intervention on our son. You absolutely saved his life while at the same time removing the heavy mantel of fear, worry and probably terror from our shoulders. From the moment that the professionals at Betty Ford recommended you to us, a huge layer of relief and confidence settled on us.

As you know, I am a supposedly very senior executive at one of the Big Three and supposedly had 'seen it all.' In truth, I hadn’t. Your ability to relate immediately to all our needs—even those now in the continuing recovery process—along with your capacity to provide plainly understandable totally specific courses of action, are simply outstanding and rare."

- Detroit, Michigan

"The phone call I received at 1 a.m. the day after Christmas will always be with me. It was the call I wished would never have come, but thought, one day might. As I got off the phone, I woke my husband and told him to get John Southworth’s number. I have spoken with John two months prior, but never followed through with on intervention. I thought, like many, that my brother might get better. Obviously, I was wrong.

By 10 a.m., my husband, my parents, John and I were flying from all corners to get to my brother. John knew the exact facility that would fit my brother’s needs and secured an admission. Without knowing much about addiction and rehabilitation, I could never have found the facility myself in this short period of time, and under so much stress. That evening, John and I went to the hospital and met with my brother. John, with his expertise, knew how to direct the conversation, the intervention, and provide the leverage to convince him to get treatment. If that were not enough, after a grueling and emotionally exhausting 16 hours, John came to meet with my parents. He explained to them the manipulation and decent of addiction.

My brother did enter treatment, but not without more episodes of chaos and turmoil. John was with me, each step. He helped me see through my brother’s addictive behavior and denial. John kept me strong and together with my family, we could provide the support he needed.

I know this is only the beginning of the journey for my brother and my family. I thank God that He brought John to us. John was our North Star through this painful ordeal and we are truly thankful."

- Michigan

"...I knew nothing about the role of a substance intervention counselor until an admissions representative at the Betty Ford Center recommended I call John Southworth. Almost immediately after the first telephone call to his office, John personally called my other daughter and me, encouraging us and reassuring us that there was hope that the three of us showing up together in her home could convince her to get help. John’s involvement in our family crisis did give my daughter the chance to redirect her life toward health, renewed family relationships, and hope for the future.

Before John has started to work, it is impossible to know how much he can do and how much you do need him. Three months after our intervention, my own understanding of John’s contribution to our lives continues to deepen. His ability to be such a strong catalyst for change comes from two sources; his deep knowledge of the disease of addiction and, his profound commitment, reinforced by a faith that is contagious.

This kind of leadership and camaraderie is so precious that it is hard to believe that you can find it through a business relationship. Obviously it depends on the individual counselor, and that is why I wholeheartedly would recommend considering John’s help.

During the meeting with my daughter, John foresaw all the potential obstacles to accomplishing our goal of getting her out of her environment, away from her companions, and into the treatment center. His clear focus and tactful, low key participation kept things on track and steered us clear of conflict and emotional explosions. John was definitely in control of the day, but he was consistently kind to my daughter and treated her with respect.

During one of the most difficult times a parent can face, John was all these to us: a source of knowledge about the disease and treatment options, a facilitator who was able to open the doors and make things happen, and our leader and guide..."

- St. Louis, Missouri

"...Again, my many many thanks for so caringly and professionally guiding my son and his family to McLean Hospital. You were a comfort to my wife and me for more than a week. You were a major help to my son...and I shall not hesitate to urge anyone who asks me for a recommendation for an interventionist to get in touch with you."

- New London, New Hampshire

"I want to write a note of thanks to you for all your help and support in a firm but caring way. You helped me negotiate through a very tough time with my son, who is drug addict, by letting me know I needed to stand my ground with him.  I trusted you and followed your advice and thank goodness, he went to a rehab facility that you also helped negotiate. I could not have gone through the day and a half of waiting and praying that he would make the best decision, without your help and guidance.  I had no idea what to do or how to proceed and you asked me to try and to go with what you offered and I did.  I cannot thank you enough for your professional help and I would hope that anyone who needs assistance in intervening with a loved one who has the terrible disease of addiction, will call on you for your expertise."

Thank you so very much again and bless you,

- New Hampshire

" I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how thankful we are for the integral part you played in a successful intervention for our sister. Your role was crucial, and I think the service you provide is a blessing for both the alcoholic and their affected family, for a couple of reasons:

Having a dispassionate third party play the leading role served to 'set the tone' of calm and order for our entire family, while taking the burden off of the already emotionally-drained members to appoint one of our own to serve as the leader.

Having you, in particular, be the mediator/'lead man' for our group lent real credibility to our efforts, as you were able to show [my sister] through your own story what success treatment can yield when the alcoholic finally yields to the treatment.

I believe that even if our efforts were unsuccessful in getting [my sister] into treatment, the outpouring of love we were able to share with her that day would have made it worthwhile nonetheless. Most people never have the opportunity to hear such sentiments from those closest to them while they are still alive, and it now seems silly to me that we typically save them for funerals, when they will have zero impact on our loved one.

An intervention is a powerful tool that benefits not only the alcoholic but those closest to them, and we're grateful that we used your services to give [my sister] the absolute best shot at taking our offer to help her on her road to sobriety. Please feel free to use this to encourage others to take this step as well.

Thanks again,,

- Newark, New Jersey

" I want to share my experience with John Southworth and Southworth Associates.  We recently planned and executed an intervention on my father for alcohol addiction.  My father is the macho type and I knew it would not be easy to get him to go into treatment and then recovery.  John was excellent.  Without help, my father would have eventually died of this terrible disease.  John was able to get us focused on the job at hand and was able to connect with my father immediately due to their shared experiences.

When the intervention began, my father mouthed the words “I’m not going anywhere” to my mother.  Needless to say, he was less than pleased that we had taken this route to help him.  After the eight of us read our letters that were filled with love and concern, my father realized that treatment and recovery was the only option.  He did however still try to delay when his treatment would begin.  John very calmly, but firmly, explained to my father that we had taken care of everything that would stand in the way of his leaving that day.  Minutes later my father was in the car with John on his way to the rehabilitation facility that we had prearranged for him to start the process of getting his family, life, and health back.  It was the greatest feeling that I have had in a long time.

I cannot state enough how amazing John was throughout this process.  This is his life’s work and while working with him it becomes obvious why.  He has experienced firsthand the problems that families and addicts live through on a daily basis.  The people at Southworth Associates were also very helpful, caring, and accommodating throughout this process.

I would recommend to anyone who has a loved one that is battling addiction work with John and his staff as a method of getting the loved one’s life and health back.  The intervention process was amazing and not at all what I expected.  It is full of love and concern for the addict…and it works!"

- New York

"Your help on the intervention...was vital to getting my dad to go into rehab...You also selected the rehab facility, which...is probably the finest in the country for his problem...Again, thanks for your invaluable help."

- Cleveland, Ohio

"...I am writing this to thank you not only for your guidance, but for your strength in helping us to stand firm with no compromise in dealing with [our son]. I am happy to report to you that [our son] has been at Alina Lodge for over 4 months now. It hasn't been easy (I know it never is) but for many reasons, he has decided to 'stick it out' so far. ...I recall you telling us that [our son's] addiction, our struggles and his recovery process were a blessing. I assure you, it has been. Through the initial pain and confusion, we have come to experience the grace of God and are in a better place now with [our son] than we have been in many years."

- Columbus, Ohio

"Everything unfolded just as you said it would and I will be forever grateful to you for that...I know that [my husband's] friends and I would not have been able to convince him to seek help if it had not been for you, John. I will never forget you, and I will never forget all you've done to help us, and I will always be grateful to you."

- Pennsylvania

"I wanted to thank you for your help and guidance through [my brother's] drug intervention. You were the angel that showed us the way...I can't tell you how relieved we are that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Your confidence and true concern for my brother was much appreciated...Once again you are an inspiration and a wonderful man, we could not have done it without your inside knowledge and kind, caring heart. The world is a better place with you in it to share and support those in need."

- Tennessee

"A note of thanks for all your help last weekend with my husband. Your company, staff and most importantly YOU helped me through this emotional process.

Your guidance and support was most helpful. I am so thankful Betty Ford Center sent me your way.

Again I appreciate all your time and help with this intervention."

- Dallas, TX

"I don't know how to even start to thank you for all that you did for our family.  We felt like we were stumbling around in a large dark room, not knowing where to go or what to do. You were like a shining light that guided us through the most difficult time in our lives. We will always be grateful to you for your experience, professionalism and knowledge.  But even more important was the personal support and compassion that you gave to each of us.  It felt like you put your arms around us and transferred some of the burden from our shoulders. Because of you, we are confident that my son is getting the best treatment available. We are so thankful to have found you and are comforted by knowing that you are always only a phone call away."

– Houston, TX

"I am deeply grateful for your knowledgeable guidance and caring spirit. Your service to mankind enables others to once again embrace the joy of life. [My sister's] chances of living in sobriety have been greatly increased by your involvement. Thanks for sharing your 'gifts' with my sister."

- Austin, Texas

"I must say that everyone involved in this effort thinks John is amazing and a great guy...[My daughter] has a fighting chance now primarily due to the efforts of John Southworth. I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone in a similar situation. Both my wife and I will never forget what he did for our daughter."

- San Antonio, Texas

"...Your team has opened the way for my brother's recovery, and you have kept our family united, calm, and positively engaged in this important process."

- Dallas, Texas

"The assistance you gave our family in dealing with a serious situation has enabled us to resolve the problem and move forward in a unified and constructive manner...Calling upon your extensive experience, you correctly diagnosed this situation as dysfunctional conduct on the part of our father requiring immediate attention from our family...Working with you, we moved forward to a successful intervention that not only resolved the immediate situation, but also helped unite our family as a loving, caring unit...You were always available when we needed to contact you, and you changed your private plans to fly across the country so that you could orchestrate and then supervise the intervention."

- Austin, Texas

"...I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for giving me my life back. Without your work I would never have come to S. Florida, never met [Mike] and probably would never have lived to see today. So I just wanted to tell you Thank You Very Much!"

- Roanoke, Texas

"Two weeks ago I didn’t know much about illicit drugs and had never even heard of you!

But some guardian angel brought us together and today my…son has voluntarily gone into drug rehab to begin the first step of his recovery.

The intervention you orchestrated was masterful-but-as they say ' There’s no substitute for experience!'  Your passion and caring impressed me from our first conversation.

All I can say is Thank you Thank you Thank you"

- Dallas, Texas

"We could not have done this without John. We couldn't have known even how to begin and certainly would have had less than desirable results. We can't thank John and his staff enough. He came highly recommended to us and we would highly recommend him to any of our friends, family and acquaintances in this unfortunate circumstance."

- Sandy, Utah

"...We recently asked John Southworth to help us with a drinking intervention for our elderly mother. During the time preceding the actual intervention, John and his staff were readily available to us and returned our calls promptly. They were able to answer any questions or concerns we had and gave us a number of referrals which were very helpful.

When we finally met with John, we found him to be compassionate, knowledgeable and easy to talk to. He employed just the right amount of humor to ease our tensions in this very stressful event. He even helped us handle some last minute glitches in our timeline that day, to make things run as smooth as possible.

We didn't know what to expect from our mother and were impressed with the way John took charge and approached her with great sensitivity and kindness. He was very convincing and straightforward. It took very little time from walking into her apartment to leaving for the plane."

- Sandy, Utah

"I was with you for only a short time, but you became a friend for life. Thank you, John, for your wonderful way in helping us confront a difficult family situation. You immediately recognized our involvement. You firmly and efficiently took charge, and gave us comfort. I cried when you drove out of sight, but I had been assured by my son when he told me with tears, 'Thank you, Dad. I was desperate and did not know what to do. Don't worry. I will be back and be O.K.' Your constant concern and contacts during the B.F.C. experience, and your interest in the well-being of my family has been greatly appreciated."

- Bluefield, West Virginia

Once again, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to you for giving us guidance in dealing with the alcohol addiction my wife had.

Your insight and help was most valuable in guiding our family through the process of ultimately having her agree to go to [treatment center] for the help and counseling that she so badly needed.

Fortunately, we did not have to go through the intervention process that we discussed and had actually made arrangements with you.  Your suggestions and recommendations about how to proceed were, without a doubt, what our family needed to be strong enough to accept that as a resolution to a crucial family situation.  Thus, the ultimate intervention was not required because of the positive steps taken prior to that time.

Your aid and assistance in securing her a place at the [treatment center] certainly helped us to gain admittance on extremely short notice.  Today the individual is receiving the attention she needs and is starting on the road to recovery through the comprehensive programs offered by the [treatment center].

Again, John, thank you so much for your support and understanding.  We could not have accomplished what we did without your help and assistance.

- Wisconsin