Hey, welcome back to New
Day Northwest addiction.
It's a difficult topic to discuss,
but odds are somewhere in your life.
You've known someone with an addiction
problem. I know that to be true.
Eric Britt is the director of the Recovery
Center at Evergreenhealth Monroe and is
here to share insight into what to do.
If you think yourself or a loved
one needs help with addiction.
Again, it's touched everyone we
were talking before the segment.
You said it's touched her family.
It's touched mine.
Talk to us.
What addiction is like and what
it can look like.
Sure, thanks for having me.
Yeah, so addiction is really the
compulsive use of substances despite
negative social and health consequences.
OK, so it's often characterized by overuse or
misuse of substances like alcohol, illegal
drugs or even prescription medications,
and often to the detriment of a person's
responsibilities or relationships.
The important thing is that
substance use disorder is a disease.
It's a. It's a a disease,
a a disorder in the brain.
It's not a choice.
It's not a moral failing,
and people from all backgrounds and walks
of life can struggle with addiction and
is a really, really important point.
I want you to I want you to say that
again, it is not a failing right.
It is not a moral failing or a choice.
That's right, it's a it's a
disorder. It's an illness.
So we have taken the shame.
Of it there you have it.
So how do we talk about how
do we talk to someone about
maybe a problem with addiction?
Sure, we recommend first that people
are intentional in this discussion,
so it often doesn't work to
reactively jump in to a conversation
when you're angry or frustrated.
And it puts people on the defensive.
So be purposeful.
Try and choose a moment when they're not
under the influence when they're sober.
And approach the conversation from a
place of understanding and compassion.
We encourage people not to use labels
like addict and alcoholic and drunk.
OK, that's right.
And and to remember that
it that it's an illness.
It's not a purposeful choice
and most people know already
and they're struggling.
And sure, if you kind of offer
that lifeline, is that helpful?
Absolutely and and you wanna
do it in a judgment free,
compassionate way people are inclined.
Often to to hide or conceal
their substance use.
Yeah, and that's because of
the negative social stigma,
embarrassment, shame and guilt.
Yeah, what do we do when a person
decides to seek treatment?
Yeah, so reach out to a healthcare
professional who specializes
in treating these disorders.
Reach out to your primary care physician.
Most importantly,
reach out to a trusted loved
one who you can confide in that
will that will help and support.
You through the the the
difficult recovery journey,
yeah. Recovery can look different
right? For different people?
Yeah, absolutely, there's not
one shape or size of recovery.
Everybody's program of
recovery looks different.
Hmm, and these days there's a
variety of evidence based treatment
approaches for addictions,
so substance use.
Disorder treatment often involves
individual group therapy and an
inpatient or outpatient setting.
It can be support groups 12 step.
Cognitive behavioral therapy.
We even have a variety of medications
now that that help people support
their recovery and reduce cravings
so it doesn't have to be scary like
you're gonna be stuck in a room.
You're gonna be forced to talk about this.
Not at all. Not at all.
Recovery can be fun and social and engaging.
And we we really see some incredible
people come out of the haze of substance,
use disorder and go on to do amazing things.
You know what I've noticed?
I've never met one person in recovery
who is like, ohh, I liked my letters.
My life so much better before, right?
Nobody says that nobody has ever said that.
Everyone I know who's in recovery has been
happy about where their life is right now.
So what should someone do if they
want to get into contact with you?
Sure, our website, which maybe will
be posted it's recovery center
monroe.com or call our front office
and basically a licensed substance
use disorder counselor will do a
brief screening over the phone.
They'll determine if someone's appropriate.
And evaluation if someone is appropriate
for an assessment or evaluation,
we'll have them come in for an on
site evaluation and that'll help us
determine if they meet the recognized
criteria for substance use disorder.
That's kind of key.
Yeah, and then a recommended
level of care for treatment got
it. Thank you so much for your time.
I got your website right here.
Check it out if you know
someone who needs help,
you can learn more by visiting
that website on your screen,
and we have a link on new day's
website as well. Alright,
we're coming up comfort, quality
style. Is it too much to ask when
buying furniture for your home?
Up next Issaquah, Lucky home in
Issaquah has furniture trends that
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This portion of New Day Northwest
is sponsored by Evergreen Health.