THE JOHNSON INSTITUTE
Thirty years ago,
little research existed on the subject of alcoholism,
and there were few effective treatment programs
available. The prevailing belief was that the
alcoholic required a “bottom” before
he/she was able to recognize his/her problem and/or
accept help. The concept that alcoholism
could be treated in its early stages was virtually
non-existent.
In 1962, a Minneapolis Episcopal
church began exploring ways to help parishioners
address their personal problems, including alcoholism.
Reverend Vernon Johnson, a recovered alcoholic,
convened a study group to figure out how to convince
alcoholics to accept help early on. This proved
to be a difficult challenge.
Drinking alcoholics seemed unable
or unwilling to recognize the upheaval that drinking
caused in their lives. This progressive delusion,
one of the chief symptoms of alcoholism, blinded
the drinker until some horrific crisis forced
him/her to face the truth. The study group was
convinced that if this barrier of delusion could
be overcome, the alcoholic might not have to plummet
into the abyss before seeking help. Dr. Vernon
Johnson and the study group experimented with
creating an atmosphere wherein the alcoholic could
be motivated to change before incurring tragic
consequences. The result was the first application
of the intervention concept that would become
the standard approach for getting alcoholics into
treatment.
In such an intervention, the alcoholic's
spouse, children, friends, clergy and employer
come together to give him/her a "reality
check". The hard truth, reiterated by every
participant, becomes undeniable. At the same time,
the alcoholic can glimpse a positive alternative
to continuing physical, emotional and spiritual
pain and isolation.
Excited by the study group's experiments,
community leaders determined that this work must
continue. Consequently, in 1966 the Johnson Institute
was organized as a non-profit venture dedicated
to design treatment programs and to educate professionals,
families and communities in the intervention process.
Back to What is an Intervention
Sources
Johnson Institute www.johnsoninstitute.com/about/index.php?DocID=5