GSBH will perform a free Family Intervention for families who choose to use our GSBH treatment center. Please call for details.

1. Why is Gentle Spirit Behavior Health different from other treatment facilities?

GSBH is following a new, cutting edge treatment philosophy. The philosophy is that 60 days of treatment is insufficient time for most addicts to recover. GSBH offers a facility with no more than 10 clients in an atmosphere of respect and love. Clients receive more individual attention at GSBH than other facilities.

2. How come the fee structure at GSBH is lower than other facilities?

Since GSBH uses small single-family homes in the community and clients perform many of the costly tasks themselves, such as cooking and house cleaning, our overhead is very low. The owner of GSBH, Bob Atkins has been clean for almost 12 years and this facility is his way of giving back what was so freely given to him almost 12 years ago.

3. What is an intervention?

An intervention is action taken by family, friends, employers and/or concerned others to help someone change unacceptable behavior. An intervention can be used for addiction to alcohol and other drugs, nicotine, food, the Internet, sex, spending/shopping, and gambling. Interventions are also done to convince people to enter nursing homes, face domestic violence issues, and deal with chronic pain. It is also used to begin the healing process for family and friends who have been affected by an addict or alcoholic.

4. Why use an intervention?

It was once believed that anyone struggling with addiction, or resisting changing unhealthy behaviors, had to sincerely want to get help. Today we know that this is not necessarily true. It is possible to help a person change before they “hit bottom”.

Interventions are based on the fact that no person can easily survive without support from someone close to him or her. If friends and family offer support that allows the addiction or behavior to continue, a person does not need to change. Interventions not only help individuals to accept help, but also teach family and friends methods to stop protecting the individual.

5. Who can be involved in an intervention?

The intervention process brings together family, friends and other concerned persons to create a support network for each member. This group then talks to and helps the individual to grow and change in a positive way. The support network for an intervention is comprised of family, friends and others with a caring, significant relationship to the individual. All support members must agree to help the individual to make changes without using shame or humiliation in order to convince him or her to give up an addiction or unhealthy behavior.

* Source: Illinois Institute of Addiction Recovery

6. How much does an intervention cost?

There is no fee for an initial phone consultation. Call for more information at 888-436-8530 or email GSBH1@yahoo.com more detailed information, go to the Fees page on this site.

7. Can "Gentle Spirit Behavioral Health” guarantee results?

It is impossible for anyone or any facility to guarantee a positive result. However, after many years of experience as a recovering addict, I can guarantee hope. I will bring my compassion, my empathy, and a gentle atmosphere to each intervention. There is a way out of addiction and its effects on a family.

8. What if the person in trouble does not want help now?

If the person refuses help now, you, the family and friends, can still carry out the plan. I will teach you to stop helping the person’s addiction be comfortable. What we do today, you and Gentle Spirit Family Interventions, is plant a "seed of recovery" in a person’s mind, so that, they may stop someday soon and realize that they need help.

9. Does the type of drug or type of addiction make any difference in the intervention?

Absolutely not; all addictions are handled the same way. Addiction is the same disease and what a person is addicted to is only a symptom of the same disease. Depending on the severity of the addiction is the only thing that may effect how the intervention is staged.

10. Is there follow-up care available?

Since people recover at different rates, I will be available for follow-up work on an as needed basis to determine the progress a person is making, and make suggestions for more resources for help.