AboutJurriaan Plesman Expertise I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition.
I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search.
I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”.
I am also the editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems.
Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at:
Degrees & Certifications: BA (Psychology) Sydney University and Post Grad Dipl Clin Nutr
Web page: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Experience Psychotherapist
Organizations The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Publications GETTING OFF THE HOOK which is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search.
Various articles in Hypoglycemic Health Association Newsletter
Education/Credentials BA(Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Expert: Jurriaan Plesman Date: 3/24/2008 Subject: cant ignore the elephant
Question My girlfriends brother and sister- in- law of 6 years were addicted to crack and i somehow managed to get addicted with them but thank God i had my partner to get me back on track. Recently my partners brother had and accident from falling , he had been up for 3 days to do their addiction. He suffered serious trauma to his brain and died 4 times before waking from his coma.The brother has recently regained consciousness but does not remember very well and remains in the hospital in ICU. The sister in law however got even more addicted during this time and is getting worse each day. The family had brought to her attention that she had a problem and needed to get help before it's too late. Her reaction was that she didn't have a problem and that rehab were for people who couldn't control it, and that she was able to control it. She also lashed out so to speak and took everyone off the list to see her husband in the hospital. So my problem is now that i cannot continue to ignore that she is slowly killing herself each day but i cant deny that i have done it with her.What do I do? I want to be able to visit my friend in the hospital but i know that i will lose her in the process. If i continue to ignore the elephant in the room ,and allow her to smoke crack in my presence just so i can be on the list. She is 52 and drinks liqueur most of the day as well as smokes cigarettes I am so scared i am going to find her dead in her home when i come on the weekend to visit. Please tell me what i can do. Thanks
Answer Dear Arielle,
These seem to be very serious addictions. If the person cannot see they have a problem there is not much you can do. A person will WANT to get off drugs before we can help them.
I see drug addiction as a medical problem like any other medical problem, except that doctors do not know how to treat it.
At least he/she would know how to treat it if they are ready to treat themselves.
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Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
