Common Terms

Denial: The "hallmark" of the disease. All family members and close friends are affected by the actions of the Chemically Dependent Person. The refusal to admit the truth is a part of the disease process and must be overcome before the healing can occur.

Enabling: Due to shame and fear, significant family members often allow the Chemically Dependent Person to continue disruptive, irrational behaviour patterns. This condition is established through a long history of deception, manipulation and control. Family members must learn to focus on their own needs.

Fear: A natural protective instinct that actually allows conditions to continue and only serves to reinforce the cycle of denial. A trained interventionist will help remove these barriers by allowing all concerned to see the truth.

Recovery: The process of learning to cope with feelings on a daily basis free from mind changing chemicals. The healthy family unit can be restored and all concerned parties are then able to live their own lives.

Hitting Bottom: Complete physical, mental and spiritual defeat. The condition when all power, family, job and money must be lost before someone will accept help. It is no longer necessary to wait. Intervention and treatment are far better alternatives that have been proven to work.