Vernon Johnson

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For the rapper Vernon N. Johnson, Jr. see FAM-LAY

Vernon E. Johnson (bbbb-1998) was an Episcopal priest and recovered alcoholic who devoted his life to alcohol intervention.[1]

Rev.Vernon E. Johnson's main achievements lie in the field of treatment of chemical dependency, especially alcoholism. Johnson did not believe that an alcoholic needs to hit rock bottom before recovery. He also introduced the intervention of family, friends, and employees. Instead, he supported "early intervention", because it solves the problem before completely destroying the patient's life. Following Johnson's own recovery from alcoholism, in 1962 Johnson led a church group concerning alcohol intervention.[2] [3] As an Minnesota episcopal priest, Johnson had the power to incorporate faith into the treatment and he convinced many churches to provide space for alcoholic support meetings.[citation needed] He was also a member of faculty of the Rutgers University Summer School for Alcohol Studies.[citation needed] In 1966, he co-founded (along with Irene and Wheelock Whitney) the Johnson Institute,[4] which aims to provide early intervention and help employers deal with employee drinking. The institute also provided training to over 8,000 professionals.[5] To this day the Johnson Institute uses the "Minnesota model", which Johnson constructed when he was leading the church group, even though it now has offices in Washington, D.C., Austin, and Minneapolis.[2][6] Johnson also wrote several books about the treatment of chemical dependency, the most famous being I'll Quit Tomorrow. Johnson died in 1998 from cancer.[7]


[edit] Published Books

Seven editions have been published to date.[9]
  • Intervention, how to help someone who doesn't want help : a step-by-step guide for families and friends of chemically dependent persons
First published in Minneapolis, Johnson Institute Books, 1986. ISBN 0935908315 Five editions have been published to date.[10]
  • Everything You Need to Know about Chemical Dependence: Vernon Johnson's complete guide for families[11]
First published in Minneapolis : Johnson Institute, 1990, ISBN 0935908315 Two editions have been published to date.[12]
  • God, Help Me to Be Me: Spiritual Growth During Recovery[11]
First published in Minneapolis, Johnson Institute, 1991. IBSN 0935908897 [13]
  • Behavior Vs. Values: Character Conflict During Recovery[11]
First Published in Minneapolis, Johnson Institute, 1991. ISBN 0935908889
  • Alcoholism and the church: A call to action[11]
First published in New York : Episcopal Church. Church Pension Fund, 1979

[edit] References

  1. ^ A History of the Johnson Institute About Us, Johnson Institute, accessed 2007-12-04
  2. ^ a b A History of the Johnson Institute
  3. ^ The Johnson Institute
  4. ^ Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award
  5. ^ Do Drug and Alcohol Interventions Really Work?
  6. ^ Johnson Institute Announces Start of Nominations for 2006 America Honors Recovery Luncheon Awards
  7. ^ Vernon Johnson: a pioneer
  8. ^ I'll Quit Tomorrow
  9. ^ WorldCat - I'll Quit Tomorrow
  10. ^ WorldCat - Intervention
  11. ^ a b c d Amazon
  12. ^ WorldCat - Everything you need to know about chemical dependence
  13. ^ WorldCat: God, Help Me to Be Me: Spiritual Growth During Recovery

[edit] External links