Show 950: Overcoming Addiction with Science and Compassion

Tens of millions of Americans abuse alcohol, tobacco or drugs. When a person becomes addicted to such a substance, or to a behavior such as gambling or compulsive sex, family members may despair. It can seem as though it is difficult to reach the loved one struggling with addiction, and people are often told to back off, practice Òtough loveÓ or let the person Òhit bottomÓ so that recovery can begin.

Scientific evidence does not support those disengaged approaches. Instead, there are ways to help a loved one. Family members can learn skills to reinforce positive changes and to engage in an emotionally supportive way.

There are also medications that can be useful in helping people overcome addictions. The experts describe the differences between the strategies and how these medicines can be used effectively.

Guests: Charles OÕBrien, MD, PhD, is Professor and Vice-Chair of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is co-founder and Director of the Center for Studies in Addiction. He is a psychiatrist and neurologist specializing in addiction psychiatry.

Carrie Wilkens, PhD, is co-founder and clinical director of the Center for Motivation and Change in New York. She is co-author of Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change. Her weblinks are:

http://beyondaddictionbook.com

http://www.motivationandchange.com

To give you the most information on how people can change, and how their families and friends can help them, we also offer a ÒListen and ReadÓ combination of Dr. WilkensÕ book together with a CD of this broadcast.