November 2008 Schick Connections > Pat's Corner
Pat's Corner
Those of us living the life change Schick Shadel’s stunningly effective treatment brings, know the power of the program. From this knowledge, we want to help family members, friends and associates suffering from addictions as we did. Longing for them to find the clarity and joy of life without destructive substances and habits, our best attempts at helping them are often discouraging. Yes, they can see the happy, healthy change in our lives. However, the enormous power of addiction causes them to reject the thoughts of addressing their own problem.
Combining addiction with human nature, usually the last person an addict wants to hear from on the subject are family or friends. However, it’s a deep and real fear at the root cause of anger that’s faced when broaching the subject. Additionally, there can be the deeper fear of life without the substance which enslaves them.
It may be helpful as I tell you how I arrived at Schick Shadel Hospital some 22 years ago.
I came into my living room one morning, and found eight close friends including my son, wife, and business partner, sitting in a circle, inviting me to join. They expressed their love and admiration for me, but then gave the “Sunday Punch!” They said, “Pat, we love ya, but you’re destroying everything you want so badly to accomplish. You’ve lost your ability to control your habits and we’re not going to let you wreck the guy we love, any longer!” It was humiliating, terrifying, and at that moment, I thought this to be the worst day of my life. I agreed that maybe I’d lost a bit of control, but I’d address the matter in my own time and way. They were unmoved!
Unbeknownst to me, my reservations at “Hotel Schick Shadel” were booked. With their adamant insistence, a very unhappy Pat was delivered to the hospital that morning. Fourteen days later I returned to my family, friends and work, sober for life and deeply, emotionally appreciative.
May I suggest if you encounter the need for intervention and need professional help, call our admissions department for the name of a Schick Shadel friendly Intervention Specialist. By doing so, you could be a real life saver! 
