GrokWerks Podcast#1

                  Podcast #1 Script

Introduction

Hello, this is the first podcast in a series produced by GrokWerksBlog.com.  My name is Harry Knowles and I will be exploring some solutions to the perplexing contradictions that arise in the treatment of people that suffer from drug and alcohol addiction and other related mental health disorders.

The Problem

We are told, as we enter the field, that we must express empathy in order to establish a personal connection with the client, that we should reflect what the person is saying to show that we are listening.  However, just about every perception that the person may have has been distorted by the alteration of the brain that occurs in these circumstances.  There is only limited benefit in repeating what the client says.   

An Example

Let’s suppose that I am talking with someone who is complaining that their employer gives them a hard time about coming in to work with a hangover.  I know already from this that alcohol is a problem and that this person is using all of his faculties to rationalize continued drinking.  This person would traditionally and also wrongly be called “in denial”.  In fact, the person may actually want to stop drinking, but the whole decision making process has been hijacked by addiction.  I have to remember that if I argue against alcohol, I am arguing with alcohol itself.

A Solution

A possible approach is one called amplified reflection.  I might say something like, “Well, if drinking is not the problem, perhaps you should consider quitting your job.”  There is what is called a decisional balance happening inside the mind of the person and by taking the side of the alcohol, I am appealing to the side of that balance that will speak up against it.  The person would most likely object to the suggestion of giving up the job and, consequently, be joining me on the side of recovery.  In effect, we would be outsmarting the hijackers.  Another part of the approach would be to refer to the boss’s complaining as a response to what the person is doing.  I might say, “What can you do to change the way your boss is responding to you?”  This puts the ball of responsibility back in the client’s court.

Summary

The point I am trying to make is that, from the moment a person walks into the office, there are ways to engage them in a conversation for change.  That should be our goal.  Science has been telling us recently that addiction rewires the brain.  The resulting thoughts and feelings are part of the disease and have very little basis in reality.  The quicker we put distance between them and new thoughts, the better.

Conclusion

That’s the time we have for now.  I’m Harry Knowles looking forward to having you join us for another podcast courtesy of BlogWerksBlog.com.

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