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Supporting Loved Ones with Addiction

From the Show: Naturally Savvy
Summary: How can you support a loved one who is battling addiction?
Air Date: 8/21/18
Duration: 20:55
Host: Andrea Donsky, RHN & Lisa Davis, MPH
Guest Bio: Denise McDermott, MD

Denise-McDermott1Dr. Denise McDermott, MD, has been in private practice in Southern California since 2001. She completed her Adult Psychiatry residency at Emory University in Atlanta Georgia, and her Child Psychiatry residency at UCLA. As a medical doctor with board certifications in both Adult and Child Psychiatry, she treats children, adolescents and adults. Her goal is to empower you, your child, and your family to live the best life possible. Her approach is to encourage people to believe in wellness, not illness, and to lead a balanced healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Denise utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to medicine, where she integrates her western medicine psychiatric training using the Bio/Psycho/Social framework coupled with a Spirit/Mind/Body approach for mental health treatment of the whole person.

In Summer of 2016, she started her podcast the “Dr. Denise Show,” and she released her ebook, “Mental Health and How to Thrive” in fall of that year.

She lives in Manhattan Beach, California with her husband, their three children and their dog, Boomer.
  • Book Title: Mental Health and How to Thrive
  • Guest Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/DrDeniseMD/
  • Guest Twitter Account: @DrDeniseMD
Supporting Loved Ones with Addiction
You can’t make someone quit an addiction. How do you know what to do to help?

Psychiatrist Dr. Denise McDermott gives two keywords to remember: surrender and serenity. You must realize you are powerless over a loved one’s addiction. However, you can surrender with loving, kind and supportive responses to that loved one.

Don’t get sucked in. You can’t stop taking care of yourself to focus on the addict. Don’t judge. Encourage and help as you can without losing yourself.

Dr. Denise advises to look at the risk-benefit ratio when deciding to stay or leave the addict. Are your children at risk? Is your beloved willing to change?

Listen as Dr. Denise joins host Lisa Davis to share tips on how to support a loved who is facing addiction.