Kristina Wandzilak, C.A.S, BRI-II Interventionist (PAID Bounty Hunter) for the AA and NA Faith

JR Harris's picture
Submitted by JR Harris on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 20:53

Kristina Wandzilak, C.A.S, BRI-II is the Executive Director and the founder of Full Circle Intervention and is paid to put people into Rehab. She is charming and attractive, and very effective in talking people and their families into high priced rehab just as her male counter parts are. She specializes in two types of Intervention, the "Invitational Model" and the "Johnson (Surprise) Model.":

http://fullcircleintervention.com/process.php

She does seem to have an advantage over her male counter parts as can be seen in her bio:

http://fullcircleintervention.com/team/kristina-wandzilak.php

She is also a contributor to thefix:

http://www.thefix.com/content/kristina-wandzilak-0

Do you think that she can talk almost anyone and their families into paying for a $1000 a day Rehab stint?

Comments

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 21:15

for the absolute FRAUD they commit.

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 07:30

From Stanton Peele's new article "Intervene This" on the A&E show:

"The show succeeds by manipulating viewers so that we lose all of our compassion for the unwitting victims -- but it should sicken us. The televised cruelty is usually justified because the subject is guilted into entering a residential treatment facility. Of course, in a sequelae, when that doesn't work, the threats escalate -- "We won't talk to you; You won't see your children; We'll call the police;" etc. The person's already deflated sense of themselves is further ground into dust, the goal being to remove any idea that he or she can exercise choice. Who thinks of submission as therapy -- other than perhaps the Marquis de Sade? This approach may work to fill beds in rehab, but it defies everything we know about encouraging psychological growth."

Too many people throw up their hands saying, "well what else are you to do with an addict?" No one knows what to do, they have consigned this issue to the so-called experts. I'm so glad Peele wrote about this directly (he has before) that I want to shout his piece from the rooftops of every rehab in the US.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 21:23

I think they only ever aired like 3 episodes. It was pretty much the same as Intervention..maybe slightly better in some way, entertainment-wise.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 21:29

http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/addicted/

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 21:45

Have there been any deaths of her recruits?

Drew Pinsky has a couple. A&E Intervention has had so many die in their care I am surprised that there is not a 60 Minutes crew there.

If any of her prospects are dead, we should send links to educate the families of the deceased on what a sham this industry is, and perhaps educate some of their attorneys just how deadly this industry can be.

marietta davis's picture

marietta davis

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 11:03

Having a patient/client die while under your care is not the same thing an killing your patient/client. Much is being said here about the exaggerations of steppers with regard to their experiences in a one-upmanship effort. Dial it back, DeConstructor. You are becoming the thing you despise again.

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:24

to not go to doctors. This was done on camera on his show. Yes he does have responsibility in this.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:00

"Dr. Vernon E. Johnson, also considered to be the founder of the intervention concept, started his controversial method of intervention in the early 1960′s. Johnson, as many other interventionist and intervention models know to be true, says the family does not have to wait for the addict or alcoholic to hit bottom before receiving help for their addiction. Dr. Johnson’s model put all of the emphasis on “confronting” the addict or alcoholic with little or no emphasis on repairing the family system; a system that is largely in part responsible for the addiction getting worse through enabling. As a result of Dr. Johnson’s model and his non systemic approach; the Johnson model had a high rate of success getting addicts and alcoholics into treatment, however it had an extremely poor success rate of long term success for sobriety. Dr. Johnson’s model was said to be very confrontational focusing only on the behaviors of the addict and alcoholic and the surprise concept of this model was said to be aggressive in nature. It is amazing how much controversy the surprise model has, considering the addict and alcoholics behaviors surprise you every day. It is important to understand that other than the invitational model of intervention, which brings on its own bundle of controversy, all models are somewhat of a surprise. No other intervention model invites anyone to an “intervention”, they are invited to some type of family gathering or meeting. This make the intervention far less controversial in nature. Not focusing on the family system and only on the addict is why the Johnson Model and non professional intervention counselors should not be used. Any one can talk your loved one into treatment, it takes a skilled professional intervention to keep your loved one in treatment and remain sober."

http://www.familyfirstintervention.com/information/models/johnson-model-...

The Ninja Bounty Hunter for the Bill Wilson Faith - don't let that prospect get away!

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:07

"Planning An Alcohol Intervention – Tips & Tricks
Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

A family member or loved one in need of an alcohol intervention is seriously addicted to something that is harmful to both themselves and those around them. If you have attempted to communicate your feeling on the topic with the alcoholic and have been met with resistance, an intervention may be the best means to deal with the situation. In the following entry, we will offer up a few steps to help you plan out a successful family intervention.

Step 1 – Do your research. The more you know about alcoholism, the better prepared you will be to combat it. Hop online and check out web articles and blogs. Get in touch with treatment specialists and discuss the situation at hand to obtain a better understanding of the alcoholic’s condition. The more information of have on your side, the less room your loved one will have to turn to denial and excuses.

Step 2 – Look for local treatment center information, and obtain the help of an experienced intervention specialist to help you with the planning process. These professionals will be able to help you organize your intervention, while providing tips on how to approach the individual in question. They will act as both a moderator and authority figure during the meeting and pre-intervention, offering guidance, support and understanding to intervention participants. You may also consider getting in touch with a religious figure, such as a rabbi or priest.

Step 3 – Draw up a clear action plan. Treatment should begin directly following an acceptance of help, moving the alcoholic from the intervention to the treatment facility. Have a suitcase pre-packed and your travel arrangements made well in advance. This will help avoid any potential excuses the addict may come up with.

Step 4 – As for the intervention party, make sure to select only close friends, family members and religious leaders to participate. You want the alcoholic to feel as comfortable as possible during the intervention. Inviting someone who negatively contributes to the addiction or who lacks a vested interest in the addict’s recovery is never a good idea.

Step 5 – If possible, spring the intervention when the alcoholic is sober. Participants are encouraged to remain calm throughout the process, while communicating in a loving manner. Most intervention specialists will request that participants pre-write letters to the addict to avoid getting off track. Participants will take turns reading the letters aloud before requesting that the alcoholic accept the help that is being offered.

Step 6 – Stay positive! Regardless of the outcome, and intervention is always a catalyst for change. Breathe, cry, laugh, love and hope for the best."

Source: http://www.familyfirstintervention.com/blog/planning-an-alcohol-interven...

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:13

We can see that the industry does induce 'rock bottoms' in people.

The family is given forms to fill out (undoubtedly on cheap paper with the Hazelden logo on the bottom) with lines such as 'If you are not willing to accept the GIFT of treatment- these are the bad things we are going to do to you'

So this industry really is advocating the destruction of the family unit, in favor of promoting their theology and business model. A poorly thought out, yet very profitable, business plan that has cost uncountable lives.

Since we can see them operate, in shows such as this, it is clear this is exactly what they do. They do not have wiggle room as the nation continues to witness this madness.

This is a 20 billion dollar a year industry with enormous political and media power. To put that in perspective, all of Hollywoods box office reciepts last year were 16 billion.

Dennis M.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:11

I remember catching her show while channel surfing, I remember it very well because I was disgusted at what I saw...the intro described her past as a drug addict and mentioned former prostitute. Looking at her appearance and demeanor, I immediately questioned the truth to that. Steppers have a very common tendency to dramatize and even fictionalize parts of their past in the name of one-upmanship, I saw a lot of it over my many years in and around the rooms.
She was conducting an ambush, I mean intervention on a teenage girl I believe. The girls family was supportive of treatment but this Kristina was getting really pissed at the father, who would not give up his seemingly reasonable amount of beer drinking and join her 12-step religion. This seemed to be a big focus of the episode and she was treating him like shit because of it. I don't think I watched the whole thing, I hope he didn't succumb.

Dennis M.
"They are not at fault, they seem to have been brainwashed that way."

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:38

The prostitution thing isn't so hard to believe.

I'm 22. I'm not beautiful but I'm not ugly, and I'm fit. I also did some horrible horrible things to get high while I was shooting dope. You'd be surprised how many girls in the game, even if they aren't pros by profession, will trade sex when desperate. So that part could definitely be true.

The only episode I remember was a beautiful meth-head named Klara. So gorgeous I remember her name. According to the show, she got sober.

I remember an epi of Intervention where the ending credits said "so and so relapsed on marijuana." Honestly I don't think Steppers really like to talk about weed anymore, now that it's so common to be a smoker. Their attitude that a drug is a drug so weed = heroin just doesn't really sit well with my generation and my parents (who were total stoners at my age. My mom still keeps a one hitter and some shake in her night table).

Actually, Massive recently expressed anger over some celebrity sending their kid to rehab for his marijuana problem. As a daily smoker myself, I think that's the worst thing you can call it. Marijuana "problem." Problem being, we like weed, we don't want to quit smoking, fuck you US government. Sure I get irritated if I let myself run completely out of weed, but irritated sure is different from dopesick or d/ts!!

Dennis M.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 07:25

I of course can't say whether or not she was or wasn't...but like I said, steppers are notorious for playing one-upmanship. So many express their gratitude to AA and Higher Power for saving their lives and don't want to be viewed as inferior becuase they didn't suffer enough. Their stories escalate into far more then what they actually went through because the more outrageous the drunkalog the higher the status.

Dennis M.
"They are not at fault, they seem to have been brainwashed that way."

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 07:34

I never really though of it that way, but you are right. The lower the bottom, the higher the status. No wonder some steppers love to claim they are an Alcoholic and use the "you're not an Alcoholic defense of last resort" when challenged.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Dennis M.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:21

that is why so many crossover from Alanon and Alateen into AA and suddenly develop outrageous drunkalogs out of the air. In this twisted culture, the more sick and depraved one was the more clout they can build, so the spouses, etc. make themselves graduate instead of living in the AA person's shadow.

Dennis M.
"They are not at fault, they seem to have been brainwashed that way."

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 07:44

Haha....someone should study the drunkalogs over time of a set group of people and see how much they increase in traumatic and overly dramatic elements with each telling. I'd do it, but, well, I'd die of boredom if I went back to AA.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

Dennis M.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:21

I have observed that.

Dennis M.
"They are not at fault, they seem to have been brainwashed that way."

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:17

It was something I didn't consciously take note of till towards the end, somehow. I mean, I realized a lot of people had a lot of bad stories, but so have I. Maybe because I mostly attended NA and not AA, I EXPECTED more horror stories, so it took me longer to think to myself "that person is exaggerating at best, at a big fat liar probably..."

I remember when I did attend AA listening to them and thinking "I wish my fucking drug was legal." I never saw an alcoholic have to spend $50-100 in a day just to stay well.

Actually, now that I think about it, all those NA meetings made me a little less socially conscious. Hearing other girls talk about being out there grindin all day made me lose a little appreciation that the things I did were horrible and disgusting and can't be repeated. If everyone around you is an (ex?)-ho, you forget how fuckin bad it is to be a junkie streetwalker to normal people.

I'm happier not thinking about it anymore. Not having to say "I did this and this and this." all the time..cuz it was awhile ago. Nowadays I don't remember EVERYSECOND of my day all the nasty things, I just reflect occasionally. It's healthier that way.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:26

"Jane is the author and founder of The Field Model of Intervention, through which she trains and supervises interventionists all over the world. Additionally, she is a well-known lecturer on the national and international speaking circuit, expounding on a wide variety of topics concerning complex and reactive populations as well as derailed, co-dependent family systems."

"Jane is considered to be one of the industry’s leading addiction, intervention, and behavioral health crisis specialists."

http://www.interventioncourses.com/jmintz

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:43

like alphabet soup they put behind their names?

Really? A weekend class and they start to write their name differently and consider they have more clout than say an M.D.?

As is the case with this person, whenever I see the degree of 'Community Counseling' or 'Addiction Couseling' I do not think medicine or professional. I think profiting steptard.

This person needs to be a person of interest to us, because she is training others in the industry. We need to dig up some dirt, and plaster it over every inch of the internet.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:35

"It is a 28 hr. NADAAC approved training (#735) and has an ONLINE lecture component that is separately certified by NADAAC for 7 CEU’s."

http://www.janemintz.com/

The next step after years of Alcoholics Anonymous in musty church basements! Get paid up front for your 12 Step call!

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 05:41

It used to be the old, wise, sponsor guru would have his pigeons rake yards in his ghetto rentals to teach humility.

It is obvious that the big insurance money is now the target, and this thing festers to improve profitability.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 06:05

The process of joining AA and being a Sponsor and eventually opening up a sober house or something to make money after they have made you hit bottom is a slow and long process to profitability. Become a bounty hunter for the AA/NA faith and get paid up front for 2 days work! (usual fee is around $2,500 plus travel allowance, but can be much higher) Go right for the money and then just wait for more victims families to call.

Think of it this way, your first intervention will pay for the piece of paper you got from a paper mill saying your an Interventionist. Low overhead, easy certification, easy money and you don't have to haul Sponcee's around.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 07:59

At some point, Kristina Wandzilak turned from an unpaid AA/NA member talking her victims into Rehab for free, into a paid Bounty Hunter for the Bill Wilson cult. I wonder what the catalyst is for this? Do they just use AA/NA meetings to practice their trade, sort of like an unpaid Internist?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:29

but the vast majority- no change that- ALL of the drug and alcohol counselors I have dealt with in the past (with the exception of Jack Trimpey, founder of Rational Recovery) were absolutely unemployable in the real world.

For example, do you think Mary would be a good salesman for your product? Do you think she would make a good customer service representative?

Additionally many of these people are convicted felons. Whether it is dragging someone behind the car, embezzlement, child molestation, murder, arson, and anything one can possibly think of, you probably do not want these people as the help in a day care.

So they chant the right Bill Wilson slogans, make sure their 'relapse' parties are very private, and promote they are the messiah for anyone who drinks too much or knows someone that does, or can be talked into believing a relative drinks too much.

It can only be described as a disaster of an industry.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:55

I can see where these leeches can decimate a large extended family. First they talk their closest relatives into rehab, then they start going after the secondary ones. Nephews, nieces, second cousins, etc... They could easily transfer a half million to Hazelden trained terrorists boot camps if their families are large enough. They wouldn't even have to go after free range prospects.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

btnben's picture

btnben

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 13:32

Isn't that how Amway works? You badger relatives and friends to buy things until you are so unpopular and outcast that it folds?

Amway and Hazelden merger - taking things to a new level...lol

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 13:45

Franchised cleaning services are also very popular. I haven't seen them around in about 20-30 years, but Kirby vacuum cleaners were the big scam when I was growing up. You would go to a meeting where they supposedly train you on how to sell and then take you on a few fake sales calls to show you how easy it is. Then the pressure starts for you to find someone to sell to. Of course you end up going to your friends and family. Back then they wouldn't even tell you how much they were until the very end and they would ask to use the phone. Then the price would start out at like $900 (when the average person only made about $160 a week) and they would then lower it until you bought it for about $600. I know one guy who sold about 4 to his family in about a week before he quit in disgust. I think they disowned him.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

DannyB II's picture

DannyB II

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 13:35

...:)