Heather Ross
Heather Ross
EP 126 Beyond Addiction How Science and Kindness Help People Change with Dr. Carrie Wilkens
EP 126 Beyond Addiction How Science and Kindness Help People Change with Dr. Carrie Wilkens
EP 126 Beyond Addiction How Science and Kindness Help People Change with Dr. Carrie Wilkens
Friday 3rd October 2025
Explore how science and kindness reshape addiction recovery with Dr. Carrie Wilkens. Learn compassionate strategies for helping loved ones change.
48 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Hopeful
Supportive
Honest
About this podcast
Author:
Heather Ross
Overview:
Categories:
Family Recovery from Addiction
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Recovery from Trauma
Links:
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Episodes:
131 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!How Kindness and Science Can Change Addiction
Episode Overview
- A collaborative and compassionate approach can aid in healing from addiction.
- Challenging the 'tough love' approach is essential for effective recovery.
- Addiction science has evolved, but there are still many misconceptions.
- Family involvement can be crucial in supporting a loved one's recovery.
- Kindness can significantly impact positive change in individuals.
"That literally makes my heart hurt that you felt that, and that message is still out there so strongly."
What happens when compassion, science, and family come together to reshape the way we understand addiction? This episode of 'Living With Your Child's Addiction' features a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Carrie Wilkens, co-founder of the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC). Dr. Wilkens, an experienced psychologist and author, joins host Heather Ross to discuss a refreshing approach to addiction recovery that challenges the traditional 'tough love' method. Dr.
Wilkens, a seasoned expert in evidence-based treatments for substance use and post-traumatic stress, shares her journey of co-founding the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC) with Dr. Foote and Dr. Kozenky. Together, they have developed the Invitation to Change approach, which merges science-based strategies with compassion to help families support their loved ones battling addiction.
This episode highlights the evolution of addiction science over the past decade, emphasising the importance of understanding co-occurring mental health issues and the power of kindness in fostering change. Listeners will gain insights into the Invitation to Change approach, which combines community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) principles with a compassionate touch. Dr. Wilkens discusses how this method allows families to engage effectively with loved ones struggling with addiction, moving away from the outdated "tough love" model.
Instead, it focuses on maintaining connection and understanding the individual's struggles. Heather Ross, the host, also shares her personal experiences as a parent navigating her daughter's addiction journey. The episode is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, offering a beacon of hope for parents who may feel lost or overwhelmed. In a world where addiction is often misunderstood, this conversation is a reminder that science and kindness can be powerful allies in fostering change.
Are you ready to explore how compassion and evidence-based strategies can transform your approach to supporting a loved one through addiction?