Amber HollingsworthRecovery Conversation Simulator, Amber's Recovery Practice Lab · Interactive learning tool trained on Amber methodoloy

DO THIS if they're past denial

23 Oct 2023 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:53

Short YouTube advice segment by Amber Hollingsworth responding to a listener whose son admitted "I'm addicted" (to heavy cannabis use). Hollingsworth advises preserving a good relationship, resisting the urge to 'pounce' with solutions, staying calm and curious, asking what prompted the admission, and letting the loved one control the pace of change.

Chapters

My son, who lives in another state, has finally said the words I'm addicted in reference to his excessive life destroying pot use. What can I do from a distance to help? The best thing you can do is keep a good relationship with your son. And if he told you, hey, I think I'm addicted, then there's some level of trust there. And so when they finally say something like that, if you're like me, my instinct is to pounce. I literally have to, like, in my head, have to think so steady. I'm like, yeah, you know, And I just want to be like, okay, you should do this and this and this. But you have to hold that back, because if they just said it, they're probably nervous about saying it. They definitely don't want to say it out loud because they don't want to be forced into anything. So you just act real cool, calm and casual. And you say, well, what's making you say that? Just be curious about it and let them be in control of the gas pedal. And they'll do more, more quickly. Don't force and just push, but, like, listen, hold them.