Miracle Worker!

"In the late summer of 2004 my son was living as a homeless person on the streets of San Francisco.  I had just become friends with Susan Allan and she found this to be a unacceptable situation.  She encouraged me to begin thinking in a positive manner that would have my son coming home to live with me and addressing what I feared was a serious drug problem. I visited my son around Labor Day and convinced him to return to Santa Barbara to live with me.  Once home I discovered he was addicted to crystal meth.  I was determined to do anything and everything to help him.  I began being coached by Susan to learn a new way of communicating, of listening and speaking. I understood what it was like to live with an addict.  I watched him get into trouble with the law and became his attorney.  I watched as everyone, virtually everyone around us gave up on him.  Whether it was "tough love" or "letting him hit bottom" or "jail was the only way to save him" only Susan believed in me and supported me in finding another way. I practiced self empathy.  I gave my son empathy, listened to him, didn't judge; didn't give advice, didn't insert myself into the problem and make it about me.  It was not easy. I was able to support him in finding a 30 day dual diagnosis residential rehab program in Santa Barbara and convince the court to sanction it as part of his diversion/probation.  I was able to help find a 6 to 12 month residential program in Arizona where my son could continue his recovery with the approval and supervision of the court.  He started in early January 2005. On October my son will celebrate 10 months of sobriety.  He has graduated from rehab and is living in a house with two other graduates.  He works full time and attends 4 after care sessions a week at the rehab facility.  There is light in his eyes. I know that these results would not have been possible without the countless hours of coaching with Susan Allan.  She saved my son's life.  The skills I have learned and am learning has changed my life.  I use the tools in my work, my family life, my social life, in my very thought process countless time a day.  She is a miracle worker."

Arno Jaffe, Esq., Santa Barbara, CA