356: You Want Them to Change—But Will They? Suicide, Marijuana, and Sobriety

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with co-host, Nathan Gershfeld.

0:00 Teaser Clips

0:32 Q1 Nephew is suicidal, but he called to tell me

09:19 The psychology of suicide

30:08 Follow up question from E355

37:20 Q2 My husband is addicted to marijuana – can he change?

53:07 Q3: I’m one month sober – can it last?

1:14:19 Conclusion

Q1: What do you do when a family member calls you and tells you that they are suicidal?  Last night I received a phone call from my 35 year old nephew telling me he was suicidal.  Growing up he was my favorite nephew but I haven’t seen him for over 20 year because he lives on the other side of the country and I was estranged from his father, my brother, who dies ten years ago. That’s when his life fell apart.  Before that he was a very likeable, bright, college graduate, financially successful and an extremely fit and healthy young man. Now he is obese, severely depressed, has an alcohol and gambling addiction and on multiple psych meds, just waiting to “get his meds right”.  He did read Anatomy of an Epidemic and did a 60 day stint in a rehab and tried AA but felt “he didn’t need to be there”.  He was such a great kid so I’m heartbroken that his life has spiraled so out of control that he wants to end it. 😞Is there anything hope for him to turn his life around and where do you suggest he starts?