Love First: A Family's Guide to Intervention [Paperback]

Jeff Jay (Author), Debra Jay (Foreword), George McGovern (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2008

The top-selling book on intervention, Love First has helped tens of thousands of families, friends, and professionals create a loving and effective plan for helping those who suffer from addiction. Dispelling two damaging myths—that an addict has to hit bottom and that intervention must be confrontational—Jeff and Debra Jay's proven approach puts love first and shows families, step by step, what to do.

This new and updated edition adds to the core material in the Jays' classic book— identifying enabling behaviors, building the team, writing an intervention letter, choosing a treatment center—with the most up-to-date scientific information and intervention techniques available. New chapters on psychiatric, gambling, eating, and other disorders give family members and other concerned people the knowledge and tools to face the important people in their lives who are dealing with a range of self-destructive illnesses. New material on meeting the specific needs of adolescents, aging adults, and professionals is also included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Building a team, choosing a chairperson, anticipating objections, using checklists, and rehearsing for the intervention itself. The reader will find it all here!' - Robert M. Morse, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus, Mayo Medical School

'The most comprehensive book available on the technique of intervention, Love First will save lives!' - Kathy Ketcham, coauthor, Beyond the Influence and The Spirituality of Imperfection

'A landmark book that gives families life-saving tools to help get a loved one into recovery. Bravo!' - Jim Ramstad, United States Congressional Representative

'A no-nonsense approach to how to save someone you love from the ravages of addiction disease.'  - William Cope Moyers, author of Broken

 'A significant contribution to intervention literature, and an empowering antidote to the disease of addiction.'  - William I. White, author of Slaying the Dragon: The History of Addiction Treatment

'I am truly excited about the book Love First. Families and loved ones who read this look at intervention will find the keys to begin the process of recovery. ' - John T. Schwarzlose, President, Betty Ford Center

'A convincing new approach to intervention that puts love and respect first.' - Jack Canfield, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Soul series

About the Author

Jeff Jay is a professional interventionist and author. His work has appeared on CNN, the Jane Pauley Show, PBS, Forbes Online and professional journals. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and a certified addictions professional. He has served as president of the Terry McGovern Foundation in Washington, DC, and on the boards of directors for several professional organizations.

Jeff is the coauthor of the best-selling book "Love First: A Family's Guide to Intervention," (2nd ed., Hazelden, 2008) and "At Wit's End: What You Need to Know When a Loved One Is Diagnosed with Addiction and Mental Illness," (Hazelden, 2007). He heads a national private practice that provides intervention and recovery services. He is is a former staff member of the Hazelden Foundation, Brighton Hospital and Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center. His personal recovery from addiction dates from October 4, 1981.

"I am passionate about intervention for a very simple reason," says Jeff. "Intervention saved my life."

More information at the Love First website: lovefirst.net. ^Debra Jay has been a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. She has also been seen on Dr. Oz. 

Debra Jay is a noted columnist, lecturer and nationally known interventionist who specializes in chemically dependent women and older adults. She is the author of several books, including No More Letting Go: The Spirituality of Taking Action Against Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (Bantam), Love First: A Family's Guide to Intervention (Hazelden) and Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence (Hazelden).

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden; 2nd edition (September 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592856616
• ISBN-13: 978-1592856619
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Substance Abuse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best single source for friends and family of addicted, December 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Love First: A New Approach to Intervention for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (A Hazelden Guidebook) (Paperback)

I've read several books and online materials about substance abuse and how to help someone out of addiction. This book is the most comprehensive, considerate, simple, and useful source for friends or family members. It is more complete and helpful than the better-known cornerstone works from the Betty Ford Clinic and Dr. Vernon Johnson. Not only is the text full of information, but the charts offered at the end to help organize an intervention are most user-friendly and designed to give you a thoughtful helping hand. This one is the best investment.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love First, a way to enter the path to recovery, August 6, 2004

By 

Kevin Killian (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love First: A New Approach to Intervention for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (A Hazelden Guidebook) (Paperback)

People who are addicted to alcohol fall into one of three categories, according to the Jays: those who know it and want help (whether consciously or unconsciously), those who don't believe it's true of themselves, even though they may be the first to spot alcoholism in others, or attribute it to them; and the third, slightly smaller group that wavers between the first two, sometimes convicted and guilty, sometimes defiant. To all three of these groups the Jays, a pair of strong advocates for recovery, urge us to love them first.

I have seen my share of alcoholics who have finally seen the light and attempted sobriety, and it is very striking how what we read here (that you don't have to "hit bottom" to want to be helped) is often seen in life but seldom seen in the literature. It's always drama, drama, drama and "Days of Wine and Roses" in other recovery literature. Thus LOVE FIRST is a rather genteel approach to recovery, but I'm sure it will have an impact all across America, wherever people are honestly trying to change their ways. And, in addition, this book and the program of the Jays will bring solace to suffering families of all ages, right through the generations.

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best I've read on this subject, May 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Love First: A New Approach to Intervention for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (A Hazelden Guidebook) (Paperback)

Whether you are a family member, a friend or a professional counsellor, this book is a "must-read" for anyone dealing with alcoholism or drug addiction. It may be painful to read, but it's so true. I am purchasing copies to share with friends. I need their support.