In this podcast from the University of Michigan, an expert explains how to steer someone in need toward a positive outcome
By the editors of TreatmentMagazine.com
Persuading a friend or loved one with addiction to seek help can be a flummoxing undertaking. What’s the best way to do it?
The third and final installment in the University of Michigan’s The Science of Addiction podcast series focuses on that question. Titled “Helping Someone Get Help with Addiction” and featuring Sarah Rollins, MSW, a licensed clinical social worker at Michigan Medicine, the episode offers helpful advice for intervening with someone with addiction.
Among the advice Rollins provides in the episode: “Interventions can simply be someone one-on-one sitting with their loved one and expressing their concern. Usually family members are one of the main reasons that people seek out treatment. And so we know that family involvement is really powerful. I would recommend if you decide that you want an intervention as maybe you see on TV or that you’ve heard about, to look up some resources. There actually are a lot of resources on how to do a proper intervention.” Rollins also takes time to explain what not to do, such as failing to acknowledge the person’s unique needs and issues.
After you listen to “Helping Someone Get Help with Addiction,” go back and listen to the first two podcasts in the series:
- “Why Do People Do Drugs,” which focuses on the variety of factors that might lead someone into a life of substance misuse.
- “Alcohol Addiction,” which turns to spotlight on alcohol misuse.
The University of Michigan’s Addiction Center is a partner of TreatmentMagazine.com in working to improve addiction outcomes.
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