Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Marshall.
Hi Shannon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Shannon Marshall, founder of EMG Addiction Services. In 2014, after years of drug and alcohol abuse, my family was exhausted and clinging to the hope that “I would just get better.” For a solid 10 years, my drinking and Rx addiction worsened to the point that I was doing very unrecognizable things. I was feeding my kids and then passing out at 8, driving under the influence, and drinking throughout the workday. On the outside, it looked fine, but my husband knew differently. I wanted to get sober and while my family “demanded” it, we were not speaking the same language. This inability to communicate created more hostility than healing. Unfortunately, they couldn’t see how much I wanted to be sober, and even when they wanted to be helpful, their words were full of anger and grief. My husband, in particular, was increasingly desperate for guidance on next steps. While the road we were on was not sustainable, they were emotionally drained and full of questions.
What are our options?
Am I codependent?
Is she REALLY an alcoholic?
Is an intervention necessary?
What is rehab like?
How much does it cost?
Should they be allowed to live at home?
Am I enabling?
After a period of in-patient treatment some outpatient therapy, and a few relapses, I finally found sustained sobriety in 2015. For the first year, we continued walking on the proverbial eggshells and made some serious missteps along the way. It occurred to me that as an addict in recovery, I had many people guiding me on what to do next. I could call several people to ask, “what should I do here?” An addict’s support network is often left to fumble blindly and operate in a trial-by-error mode. It was nothing short of watching someone being set up for failure. At EMG, we want to help them understand the role of codependency in addiction, and teach them how to break those codependent patterns. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery, and most people need more than a Google search to guide them on the next steps. Our mission is to offer treatment options for the addict while providing ongoing recovery guidance for those who love them.
EMG works with a network of treatment centers, sober homes, and other mental health agencies to provide a full spectrum of services. Whether you need acute care for a crisis, short-term treatment options, or a longer-term recovery plan for the support network, our goal is to help families as they begin their journey of healing, even if the addict in their lives is not ready.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a smooth road but, not without challenges. My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2021. Although we quickly found a surgeon and today he is cancer free. I decided to delay the formal launch of the business. Fortunately, I already had a small caseload of clients so I was able to go into it with a little bit of a safety net.
We’ve been impressed with EMG ADDICTION SERVICES, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a therapist, an alcoholic/addict with over seven years of recovery, and someone who has also experienced family members lost in addiction, I offer a unique perspective to the support network, or more commonly referred to as “the loved ones.” While we do provide treatment options for the addict, we specialize in supporting the families/friends who love them. We are not here to dive into your own history of trauma, though that can ultimately surface. We are here to help you restore peace in your own home, break patterns of codependence, identify enabling behaviors, and establish boundaries. These things can be put into place whether or not the addict is ready to accept help.
Is it right for you? For people who ask if what we do can help them, it’s important to ask yourself:
Do you feel like you’re out of answers and unsure what to do next?
Are they putting rules in place to continue but modify their drinking/drug use? Ex. Only drink on weekends
Are you looking for the right words to say to your loved one?
Is your current strategy working?
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In terms of finding a mentor, look for someone who motivates you personally and allows you to be authentic. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask. No matter where you are in your career, it’s important to keep yourself open to learning from others.
Pricing:
- Initial Consultation (20 min): Complimentary
- Recovery Guidance Session: $125/hr
- Interventions:$3500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emgaddictionservices.com
- Instagram: @emg_addiction_services
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085670684177
