One of the great things about the work I get to do, is that I meet some incredible people. Today’s interview is with one of those people. His name is Kyle Mcgraw and he is highly regarded as one of the premier drug and alcohol counselors in the state of Oklahoma. His background includes time spent as the Director of Substance Abuse Services for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the Executive Director of A Chance to Change Foundation and Director of Counseling Services for Southern Nazarene University. In addition to that, he has and still maintains a thriving private practice in Edmond, OK.
I sat down with Kyle to discuss some basic questions many parents of addicts ask me. Check it out!
Why did you decide to dedicate your life to helping individuals and families overcome substance abuse problems?
I grew up in an alcoholic and abusive home. May parents did the best they could and the church youth group became a home away from home. I began working with youth full time after my college education and started helping those like many helped me in my teenage years. My Senior Pastor challenged me to go to graduate school to further my abilities to work with youth. My education has taught me that the family, not just the individual has to change in order for the recovering individual to have a chance.
If an addict is ready and willing to get help, what is the plan of action that you normally give to them or to their family?
Often an immediate assessment to address whether or not the person needs medical detox is crucial. Addiction is a brain disease and withdrawals often need medical supervision. Secondly, I see what kind of “buy in” there is among family members. Without family support it will be more difficult for the addicted person to succeed. The disease of addiction is bigger than anyone individual and therefore takes many working together to achieve success. Once the assessment takes place, and depending upon the severity of the disease, (I) we determine the level of care needed. Sometimes that means outpatient, inpatient or residential care. Our clinic uses a sundry of facilities based upon best practices and other criteria.
In your opinion, does every drug addict need to go to treatment to find sobriety?
NO, sometimes this can be successful in an outpatient basis. The assessment of the individual and family, along with drug of choice, last usage, length of time, tolerance and many other factors go into establishing a science based assessment.
What’s a common misconception about addiction that you hear from your patients?
One common misconception is I can outsmart it by controlling it.
Secondly, is the myth that I am gainfully employed therefore I cannot be an addict.
Thirdly, is the myth that I am married and have not had any serious consequences due to my usage. This is often known as denial to the addict. Often a significant other or family member sees it differently and has a list of reasons why their loved one needs to quit, and seek treatment. Often education with family and the affected individual needs to take place long before the addict ever wants help.
What is the best advice you can give a mom or a dad that is dealing with a child that is refusing to get help for their addiction?
Seek help for yourself even though your child refuses help. When enabling stops and often family members can be in denial about their own enabling, then healing can begin.
What are some resources that you could recommend to an addict early in recovery and to families who are dealing with addiction issues?
A Chance to Change does a free educational series designed to help families understand addiction and the role that they play.
Secondly, get professional advice with those who work with addictive behavior.
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To contact Kyle you can reach out to:
Transforming Life Counseling Center, 16301 Sonoma Park Dr, Edmond; (405) 761-1740
Website: www.TLCCOK.com
