Co-Author of Beyond Addiction Carrie Wilkens, Ph.D., Breaks Down How Parents Can Help Their Kids Positively Change Their Relationship With Drugs and Alcohol

ABOUT THE EPISODE:
Bribing. Shaming. Forcing. Manipulating. Yelling. These are just some of the approaches I tried while parenting my son who was struggling with a high-risk lifestyle and substance use. You likely have too. It took me a long time to accept that none of that was working. 

But through the book Beyond Addiction, the CRAFT approach, and specifically The Invitation to Change, I discovered our kids’ behaviors make sense and substances work really well - until they don’t. This understanding shifted everything and I haven’t stopped talking about it since. I had one of the Beyond Addiction authors, Carrie Wilkens, Ph.D. on early in the podcast and I’ve invited her back to catch up post-pandemic and learn about a new companion workbook that’s just come out for parents. 

Join us for this inspiring conversation as we unpack common stigmas around addiction, understand why using CRAFT and The Invitation To Change approach is not condoning substance use, and why staying curious and building connection is the key to motivating your child to make positive changes. I had a few lightbulb moments myself talking with Carrie and hearing her compassionate and practical approach to helping people change.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why compassion is crucial for navigating a post-pandemic world
• How to respond when your child is ambivalent about substance use
• Why self-awareness and self-compassion work comes first for parents
• How to get a hesitant spouse, partner, or co-parent on board with CRAFT
• That fear will be a consistent companion on this journey, but it doesn’t have to own you

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Beyond Addiction Book
• Beyond Addiction Workbook for Families and Friends
• The Center for Motivation and Change (CMC:FFC)
• CMC Treatment Program

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