How We Have Helped
Therapist facilitated interventions provide
a way out of addiction.
The following testimonials are from people who once faced the same daunting task you currently face--what to do about an addicted loved one. They had many of the same fears and questions you probably experience in considering moving into the unknown territory of intervention. These testimonials are offered in hope that they will assist you in deciding whether intervention is the solution for you.
"We brought my son in one year ago. I believe we saved his life."
“We brought my son in one year ago. I believe we saved his life. He has his ups and downs, but he is clean and sober, and I am finding out he is a great person. This would not have been possible without the intervention. Also a learning experience for me”.
Mother, New Cumberland, WV
"Every scenario that Mr. Accetta told us “might” happen did happen, and fortunately we were prepared."
“The intervention process was the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done. The time we took to prepare beforehand was most helpful. Every scenario that Mr. Accetta told us “might” happen did happen, and fortunately we were prepared. Four years later my friend is sober, healthy and happy.”
Friend, Pittsburgh, PA
"The training gave the team the assurance that everything possible was done."
“The intervention in which I was involved gave me the opportunity to try to be of help to someone who had lost his way in the world. The training gave the team the assurance that everything possible was done for the benefit of the receiver of the intervention. An educational, wonderful experience.”
Former pastor/friend of initiator, New Cumberland, WV
"Your intervention help with our loved one was perfect and successful."
“Your intervention help with our loved one was perfect and successful. We can’t applaud you enough for your professional help.”
Mother, Sewickley, PA
"I believe that she would not be clean and sober today if we had chosen to take an easier path."
“I was afraid initially that the person who was on the receiving end of the intervention would hate me or never speak to me again. I was really anxious before and during the intervention, but despite my reservations I was greatly relieved that the receiver not only agreed to get the help that she needed but did so willingly and readily.
I was the designated person chosen by the family to accompany her to the rehab facility, and, although it was a lot of responsibility, I’m glad that I could help. To this day she is sober, and we have a good relationship. I believe that she would not be clean and sober today if we had chosen to take an easier path.
I’m so glad I was able to help. Please don’t hesitate to do the same.”
Long-time family friend, Pittsburgh, PA
"Your intervention leadership was sensitive and effective."
“Your intervention leadership was sensitive and effective. It made it possible to organize a successful effort to intervene and help my brother-in-law on the road to recovery.”
Brother-in-law, Pittsburgh, PA
"I strongly encourage everyone who has a loved one in trouble to consider intervention."
“I strongly encourage everyone who has a loved one in trouble to consider intervention. Although the actual meeting is intense and sometimes overwhelming, it proves to be most positive. It not only helps the person with the addiction but all those involved as a release of one’s feelings from within. Thank you and God bless!”
Friend of mother, Chester, WV
"Carmen provided simple, easy to learn tools for the intervention."
“Once I received and read the intervention materials, I was only anxious to help. The preparation Carmen provided was extremely thorough and gave our team simple, easy to learn tools for the intervention. Participating in an intervention was not an easy choice, but it was an opportunity to help in such a personal way. I would recommend this to any close friend or family member--no experience required.”
Uncle, Murrysville, PA
"Thankfully, our search lead us to Carmen Accetta."
"Our family experienced the devastating heartbreaks associated with a relative abusing drugs and alcohol. Along the way we desperately clung to the promises this family member made and even accepted blame for their bad behavior, which they had mastered assigning to us and others.
"Just as "our" addict was in denial so was our family, and we learned later our actions were in reality "enabling" their bad behavior to not only continue, but to further worsen. Sadly, we waited ten long torturous years before acting and that only came after fear for the children's welfare.
"After much research was conducted, several family members concluded the only hope was a professionally managed family intervention. The process of finally admitting to ourselves that sweeping actions were required was not easy. Some of the family members who were the most obvious "enablers" argued that our addict was really not that bad, and we would be violating a trust by conducting an intervention. These members most required being educated by a professional as we all did.
"Thankfully, our search lead us to Carmen Accetta, a gift from God if there ever was one. His experienced guiding hand not only comforted us but educated our family on how to take the necessary steps to save the life of our family member while allowing us to reclaim our freedom.
Brother and sister-in-law, Miami, FL
"We could not have done an intervention without the direction and support of a highly knowledgeable mentor."
“We could not have done an intervention without the direction and support of a highly knowledgeable mentor who guided us patiently through the process. The intervention experience enabled the members of the team to encounter my son in a safe, controlled environment. All members practiced what we would say and different scenarios ahead of time so we would know what to expect.
"On the day of the intervention, each of us was able to express our deep concern for my son’s wellbeing and reassure him of our love ending with our desire for him to seek treatment. In our case, my son did agree to go immediately to treatment. This was the first step of many with the goal to keep him clean but certainly the most important one.”
Mother, Pittsburgh, PA
"The intervention that our family did for my son was the single most significant “gift” that I gave not only to my addicted/ill son but to our whole family."
“The intervention that our family did for my son was the single most significant “gift” that I gave not only to my addicted/ill son but to our whole family. There were many days of worry and prayers asking for help. In my prayers, I asked for help for my son and always followed my request by saying that I would do my part; just please show me what it is that I can do.
"To the casual observer, our intervention appeared to fall short from achieving our intended goals. But, anytime that I reflect upon our experience, my first thought is “money well spent.” My second thought is that I did everything possible to show him how much I loved him and just what our family was willing to do in order to help him get better. We sought expert help from a professional trained to render assistance.
"Our family was sick with worry and anxiety. They looked to me to “do something” and rightly so. We did something--together. The intervention taught us that what we were experiencing could be funneled into positive steps aimed at helping our entire family begin the process of healing. We all began to feel better just by knowing that we were actively planning and learning to address a most frightening problem.
"The intervention process is the only way for a family to offer help to an addicted loved one who is resistant to getting help for drug and alcohol abuse. It is worth all the effort, and it frames what it is that families can do to stop the madness. Most interestingly, the intervention is a process, and it continues to help long after the actual intervention.
"I’m most proud of our effort. I can face our family, friends and community and say that we as a family made every effort possible to assist our “sick” loved one. We followed professional recommendations, and--whatever happened--we had no regrets. I did my part and continue to do so, hoping and praying that some day my son will achieve good health.”
Mother, Beaver, PA