ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What does it take to move from hitting rock bottom at a Big 10 university to saving lives as a certified clinical interventionist? In this episode of Finding New Waters, hosts B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with licensed therapist and expert interventionist Andrew Rintels to explore the reality of addiction, the mechanics of a successful family intervention, and his own journey into long-term sobriety.
Andrew unpacks the clinical philosophy of the "Love First" model, the critical role of family boundaries, and how true recovery requires more than just cleaning up in a short-term medical detox. Whether you are navigating a loved one's substance abuse or seeking to understand the deep connection between mental health and trauma, this conversation offers actionable insights and clinical wisdom.
TIMESTAMPS
[01:03:29] Approx. Introduction of Andrew Rintels
[01:04:56] Approx. College Days and Red Solo Cup Memories
[01:06:13] Approx. Academic Rock Bottom and Leaving Iowa
[01:07:54] Approx. Fatherhood, Hitting a Wall, and the 28 Day Vacation
[01:10:05] Approx. The Turning Point: Witnessing a Roommate Pass Away
[01:11:36] Approx. Going Back to DePaul University at 34 Years Old
[01:12:39] Approx. The Service Commitment and Shifting to Clinical Therapy
[01:15:21] Approx. Why Medical Detox Alone Fails: The Maladaptive Solution
[01:16:59] Approx. Shifting into Love First Intervention Training
[01:19:51] Approx. How Love First Differs From the Reality TV Show
[01:23:52] Approx. Mental Health Interventions vs. Substance Abuse Models
[01:25:27] Approx. Redefining Success: Why Intervention Is a Process, Not an Event
[01:28:32] Approx. The Levy Metaphor for Sustained Family Recovery
[01:30:52] Approx. What True Leverage Looks Like (Financial, Emotional, Legal)
[01:33:42] Approx. Guilt vs. Shame: Debunking Inherently Bad People
[01:37:39] Approx. How to Find Andrew Rintels and AR Intervention
LINKS & RESOURCE
* AR Intervention Website: www.arintervention.com
* AR Intervention Email: Andrew@arintervention.com
* Jeff Jay and Deborah Jay Book: Love First
* Author Mentioned: Brene Brown
* Author Mentioned: Johann Hari
DONATION / SUPPORT
Not mentioned in transcript.
CALL TO ACTION
If you found value in this clinical look at addiction and recovery, please subscribe to Finding New Waters, leave a comment with your thoughts, and share this episode with a family who needs to hear it.
KEYWORDS
Andrew Rintels, B Reeves, Justin McClendon, Finding New Waters, AR Intervention, Love First intervention, clinical interventionist, family intervention training, medical detox limitations, addiction recovery, substance abuse therapy, LCSW, licensed therapist Chicago, mental health intervention, family system boundaries, guilt vs shame, Johann Hari connection, Brene Brown shame, trauma and addiction, intervention process, addiction leverage, how to stage an intervention, New Waters Recovery
#FindingNewWaters #AddictionRecovery #Intervention #LoveFirst #MentalHealthMatters #FamilyBoundaries #SobrietyJourney #TherapyTalk #LCSW #OvercomingAddiction
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