Intervention Testimonies
I grew up as the daughter of a southern Baptist minister. I got involved
with drugs and alcohol as a young teen and drank and used until I was 35
years old. Norm Boshoff stepped up when the church no longer knew what
to do with me. When I was told I have a moral failing, Norm helped me
understand that I had a disease. Through the direction and encouragement
of this compassionate man, I discovered a way of life beyond my
imagination.
Today I live a purposeful and useful life after 15 years of sobriety. I
walk in grace and dignity as a loving child of God.
When the time came to help my 15 year old nephew find his way back from
the depths of despair that is partner to this disease of addiction, it
was once again Norm who walked me through the process of intervention
and offered the strength and courage to get him into a treatment
facility that would save his life. He saved my life again by guiding me
to the rooms of Alanon where I learned to heal from a different kind of
addiction as a family member.
I am eternally bound in gratitude to the man who lead me back to God
when it seemed as though God had abandoned me.
Laura D
Norm:
When I found out that my husband was addicted to meth., the rug was
pulled out from under my feet and my life changed in an instant. The
next day I contacted Pac Hills and spoke with a knowledgeable counselor
who made arrangements for my husband to be admitted into their inpatient
program. However, when I asked my husband if he would consider going for
inpatient treatment, he responded that he could not leave his job. My
heart fell; I felt at a loss and wondered what I was going to do.
In the midst of the heartache and confusion, I called Pac Hills and they
suggested that I consider an intervention. They said they would
recommend an interventionist if I so desired. The next day I received
your telephone call, and it was this call that changed mine and my
entire family’s life. During our first conversation you patiently and
pointedly answered mine and my children’s questions. When I hung up the
phone I felt a sense of reassurance; something that I had not felt for
several days.
Prior to the intervention, you constantly kept in contact with me. I
appreciated that you did not overload me, or those who would be involved
in the intervention, with paperwork, but instead sent it to us in
intervals so that we could fully digest each piece of information. You
seemed to know that we were all on overload and could not handle an
inundation of paperwork. I was also amazed that during that week you
immediately answered my emails and telephone calls. Your calm,
matter-of-fact manner was my stronghold during a tenuous time.
The night before the intervention you met with the entire team. Your
explanation of the disease of addiction, the thought process of the
addict, and details of the intervention process was exceptional. You
took the time to answer our questions, and all present knew that without
a doubt that this was not merely a “business deal” to you, but that you
cared for my husband and all of us in a personal way.
I cannot put into words my gratitude of how you handled the intervention
itself. It was done in a manner which preserved my husband’s dignity and
supported each person individually. You took the time to pray with us,
and while we waited for my husband to enter the room, you spoke in calm,
reassuring tones so that those present would not become anymore
stressed. I can easily say that your involvement with the intervention
was pivotal in my husband’s agreeing to enter into treatment.
During my husband’s stay at Pac Hills, you have kept in contact with me;
answering my questions, calming my concerns, even helping me to schedule
an appointment with the therapist, and you have also taken the time to
be there for both of my children and their spouses. My husband speaks
highly of you, and appreciates the fact that you connected with him –
that he is not just a “client” to you. The fact that you, yourself, have
walked in his shoes is valuable to him.
I paid for an interventionist, and not only did I receive one, but my
family and I received a friend in the process. God brought you into our
lives, and I am ever so grateful for that. Without a doubt, I consider
your fees to be the best money I have spent to help my husband in
fighting this disease.
I urge anyone who is considering an intervention to pick up the
telephone and contact you. They will be glad they did.
May God Continue To Bless You,
Diane
My dear friend:
I have been struggling to come up with the words to express the
gratitude I feel for being one of the many fortunate ones who have been
guided along the journey to sobriety and yes, a new life, through your
wisdom, character, integrity and undying faith and belief that the AA
program is the only answer for those of us who live with the disease of
alcoholism.
You believed in me and encouraged me when I had lost all hope that there
was any path for me other than the one I had been following for nearly
fifty years of my life. You helped me to discover that there was the
possibility that even I could find some spirituality in my life when I
had none. You have shown me that there is a way to find peace of mind
and contentment in life if we is willing to do the work and follow the
simple instructions given us in the big book.
Along with these gifts you have shared and helped me to discover through
the program, you have also shown me the true meaning of the word
"friend" . That may be the greatest gift of all.
I love you my friend. There are no words to express the gratitude that I
feel for having you in my life and for all of the wonderful truths you
have helped me to see.
I hope to see you again soon.
Jerry
Norm,
I just wanted to say thank you for your help with my Dad. With you as
the interventionalist, you made this very difficult process easier.
After meeting you and knowing that you were going to be the one to drive
my dad down to Pac Hills, was very
reassuring. You seem to have the same personality that he does.
Also thank you for describing this disease to us. I know for Tammy and
I, it shed some light on what it is like for my dad to live with this.
Also, it let me know that I need to be more educated on it as well, and
Tammy and I are going to a Nar-Anon meeting this Saturday.
Thank you for what you do. You are a blessing from god.
Danny
I would like to describe a man that has made such a difference in the lives of my family…. His name is Mr. Norm Boshoff. This whole addiction language was something my family had never experienced. I can’t describe the tears, angry, anxiety, guilt, worry, chronic stress, financial burden and embarrassment that we felt for many years, as my husband and the father of my children had this disease. It was something that seemed to continue to destroy my family and was like an open book that never ended. Our family felt as our hopes and dreams had been sabotaged by this ugly sickness that we didn’t ask for. It was hard for all of the family to realize it was a disease and not willpower. We didn’t know whether to forgive or to be forgiven. But, with the help and expertise of Mr. Boshoff our lives have changed dramically. He helped us make decisions that otherwise we could not have made on our on. Norm guided us though the path of sobriety and was always available anytime of the day or night to talk or just answer questions. He taught us how to love with kindness, because it was a disease just like cancer. Norm has the expertise to meet the needs of each family and will always provide every tool to make wise choices. Even after sobriety, he is always there for the family. I am a CEO and thought I had a lot of responsibility and could solve all things. It didn’t take me long to realize I knew nothing about this and could not solve this problem alone… My family has learned so much about this disease and life from Mr. Boshoff. Our family has hope again and a new outlook on life and its all because of Mr. Norm Boshoff coming into our life…..
Norm,
I wanted to say thanks again. After spending time down there this
weekend, I feel reassured that my dad is in the best place possible.
When you told my dad that you feel, that you need to personally help him
with the 12 steps, that made me feel good that you are watching over
him.
The family therapy today was a good stepping stone for my father and I.
That was the first time we had even remotely expressed feeling towards
each other.
Thanks for everything you are doing to help my dad and others.
God bless,
Danny
Dear Norm,
It has been almost 8 months that my Son has been clean and sober and
quite frankly we owe it ALL to you!!!
For the past 3 years my Son had been fighting a serious Heroin
Addiction.
Prior to that he was an outstanding US Marine...how quickly Drugs can
destroy a Person and their Family!
He had been in out of Detox and Rehabs...with no success.
I had the opportunity to hear you speak some time ago and connected with
you and your perspectives
On a Friday...8 months ago...we were desperate ( he had just been
arrested...was still using...and our Family was falling apart...we were
going through Hell!!
)...that is when I decided to call you ( I had kept your phone numer
ever since I heard you speak )...we had no where else to turn to.
You jumped into action...you met with my Son and I...made a few
calls...and next thing I knew he left with you.
You actually took him into your Home for a few
days...UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!!
He has been clean and sober ever since!!
Your guidance was incredible...you got him into a sober living Home...he
started attending Meetings...got a terrific job...and TODAY he has his
life back ( and so do we )!!
Norm...you have a GIFT...for truly understanding addiction and more
importantly...assisting others through the unselfish giving of your time
and energy!!
We cannont ever THANK you properly or enough for what you have done for
our Son and our Family!!
God Bless you!!
Peter B
Mission Viejo, Ca