Talks with Richard Noble about addiction, Justin Bieber, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Sober Residences in the Coachella Valley
By Richard Noble
Richard: How long have you been in the Coachella Valley?
Ken: In 2010 we came down from LA for a weekend, bought a house and never went back to LA. Two years ago we sold our LA “weekend” house and live here full time now.
Richard: What is Ken Seeley Communities?
Ken: Ken Seeley Communities is a Community that supports the recovery process. We do interventions, detox, sober living, life skills, monitoring and case management, everything except for treatment.
Richard: Are the incorporated cities doing enough to provide substance abuse services?
Ken: Unfortunately, cities often don’t have money as more and more budgets are cut. There is also a lot of misunderstanding – people feel as though addiction is a choice so why should we fund services for that. We believe that if we can do a better job of educating people and catching addiction early, the financial impact of addiction (health care costs, court costs, etc.) for public entities and cities can be lessened.
Richard: How is heroin affecting the Coachella Valley and what are our resources to deal with it?
Ken: There are not many free resources to help and it is a growing epidemic. People are dying every day, it is heart breaking.
Richard: How are sober residences becoming an important and integral part of the communities and how can we be supportive?
Ken: Sober Living’s and Sober Residences are so important for people in early recovery. You just do not become an addict overnight so 30 -90 days treatment is just the beginning of treatment from addiction. Recovery is a process and you need the support of your peers and a sober environment is where you get this. Going home without a solid foundation in recovery to old triggers without support normally ends in relapse. Using your peer support and remaining accountable to your recovery has been proven to lead to higher statistics for longer recovery.
Richard: Do you miss Intervention and will your fans see you on TV again?
Ken: Hopefully one day we can get another show on the air. I feel the Intervention show helped millions of people get sober and it was an honor to be part of.
Richard: Substance abuse is treatable. How do you handle those that reject treatment?
Ken: No one just stops using. The reason everyone ask for help is they feel enough pain from behaviors and seek help to get out of the pain. I work with the families to create a bottom that every addict has to hit, ROCK BOTTOM.
Richard: What do you love most about your work and life here in the Coachella Valley?
Ken: I feel it is a healing place in the valley it is a very spiritual place. The Recovery process is a spiritual process and what a better place to heal. There’s lots of recovery and love in the Valley.
Richard: Are you available to speak with police departments, families, businesses and others?
Ken: I am always willing to help spread the message of hope and recovery. It is an honor to be able to do this work and love to reach the people that are suffering and the families.
Richard: I love your new Phone App for i911 and Ken Seeley Communities. Can you explain what it does and who can use it?
Ken: Ken Seeley Communities APP is to help stay on track with your recovery plan. You can check in at your recovery meetings, drug testing appointments and can give you reports for anyone you like to show you’re participating in your recovery
Richard: What are your feelings about Justin Bieber?
Ken: Very sad that it looks like he is heading down that road. Hopefully he has people around him that will reach out and help him.
Way too many celebrities are dying from addiction. When are people going to stop enabling? If someone has ever been in recovery from an addiction please reach out to a professional if they have one drink. You cannot take the chance of playing Russian roulette with these people’s lives. The addict always thinks they have it under control but as CNN reports, every day 75 people overdose. Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of these statistics now. If only someone would have stood up to him when they first found out he relapsed. It only takes one person to start the process to help an addict. Why not let it be you? Call and see what you can do if you know someone that parties too much or is addicted. Save a life. Speaking up is the only way to get these numbers to go down instead of watching them grow.
Richard: If an individual wants to reach out for help for them self or a loved one, how do they emotionally get to that place to ask for help and where could they contact you?
Ken: It is easy, well not for them. Just call, someone will be there to answer your questions. It does not cost anything to make the call. 866-888-4911 and online at: www.thetreatmentcommunity.com
Thank you for your questions and spreading the message of hope.
Email: rnoble@intervention911.com
http://www.intervention911.com
http://www.thetreatmentcommunity.com
