Help in Seattle??

[Guest]

Dr. Garcia,
I really need to try your program. Do you ever come down to Seattle, or do you know of any Doctors in the area that use or know about your treatment?

Hopeful in Seattle

[Guest]

Help in Seattle??

I'm glad the book is helping you understand the issues of the problem drinker. Many medical providers are just learning about the treatment for the disease of alcohol addiction and craving. There has been a tremendous amount of shame, stigma and morality associated with this disease and providers may need some help in adjusting to drugs to treat it as some of these are indicated for other disease states.

I'm sure there are a number of clinicians in the Seattle area available to treat you. While I do not have specific colleagues in that community, I would go ahead and start the program in My Way Out and bring the research information as included on the web site to your doctor. If that fails, ask for a referral to an addiction medical specialist and have your doctor help find this individual for you. If they absolutely refuse to assist you in the treatment plan, call the local medical society and ask for providers who treat addictions or specialize in "Addiction Medicine". Continue to see you family doctor for colds and sniffles but find someone to help you with current therapy for the problem drinking issue. Don't quit the process until you find someone.

--Dr. Garcia