Questions and Answers on Substance Abuse with Dr. Jeff Foote

The Beyond Addiction Show

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show. After receiving over 150 emails from listeners, Dr. King has picked out a few for the first “mailbag” episode, and he will answer those questions along with Dr. Jeff Foote, co-founder of the Center for Motivation and Change and a regular guest on this show.

Listen to this episode to learn about the following topics and much more:

• How to approach someone who seems not to be interested in his/her recovery
• How to stop drinking
• Is substance abuse a disease?
• How to draw a cost-benefit chart in regards to substance use

Key Takeaways:

[1:59] Question 1: How do you accept the fact that no matter how many trips to rehab and the emergency room, your loved one is not interested in getting well?

[4:40] There is an opportunity in being aware of our own feelings towards someone who does not seem to care about getting better.

[8:09] Focusing on self-care and self-compassion.

[9:44] It is often not the case that someone that constantly fails in his or her attempts to get better, is really not interested in his or her health, they might have no idea how to change.

[11:02] Dr. King and Dr. Foote talk about the “apparent” cure that substances offer to emotional suffering.

[13:43] What is really going on with someone who is abusing substances?

[14:13] Simply listen!

[15:33] How do I create conditions for change?

[16:33] Try to understand the person’s motivations behind substance abuse.

[17:08] The differences between a reason and an excuse.

[18:10] Question 2: How can I stop drinking?

[19:55] What will you be giving up if you stop drinking?

[21:32] What am I going to gain?

[25:18] Question 3: Do you teach that substance abuse is a disease?

[27:43] Calling substance abuse a disease leaves a lot of the complexity of addiction out of the picture.

[31:22] Question 4: What is the best approach when a client says that being sober is boring and no fun?

[33:14] What are you missing from your old habits?

[35:16] Dr. Foote describes how to make a cost and benefits chart.

[39:51] Dr. Foote talks about an approach called “Invitation to Change.”

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook

Center for Motivation and Change on Twitter

Center for Motivation and Change on Linkedin

Email Dr. Josh King at [e-mail] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

CMC Foundation for Change

Tweetables and Quotes:

“Substance abuse is a way of not dealing with the shame and suffering someone is experiencing.” @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing

“Try to simply listen, without judgment, without prejudice; just listen.” @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing

“Ask yourself why do you do what you do, what is your motivation behind your substance abuse.” @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing

“It is not a good deal if you are considering change, to trade something for nothing.” @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing

“Calling substance abuse a disease is a very inadequate way to describe a complex set of human behaviors.” @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing