The Treat Addiction Save Lives Podcast

In another special episode, we are joined by 2024 ASAM Media Award recipient Teri Sforza. Teri describes her journalistic approach as that of an "accountability reporter." In this conversation, she shares her journey to the field of addiction reporting and her thoughts about the need for potential legislation and oversight related to the addiction treatment industry. Teri discusses her work as a lead reporter on the award-winning series, Rehab Riviera. She also addresses how she has perceived stigma through her reporting, how journalists can help combat stigma, and what motivates her to continue her work. Teri offers advice and words of wisdom for up-and-coming or current journalists who may be interested in reporting on addiction. Teri Sforza, MFA, is one of the lead reporters on the Orange County Register (OCR)/Southern California News Group’s ongoing probe of fraud, abuse, and death in the Southern California addiction treatment industry. The Rehab Riviera series coverage won first place for investigative reporting from the California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA), first place for projects reporting from Best of the West, and was a finalist for the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation's print award in 2018. Teri birthed the Watchdog column in 2008, aiming to keep a critical (but good-humored) eye on governments and nonprofits, which won first place for public service reporting from the CNPA in 2010. She contributed to the OCR's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of fertility fraud at UC Irvine, covered what was then the largest municipal bankruptcy in America‘s history, and is the author of The Strangest Song, the first book to tell the story of a genetic condition called Williams syndrome and the extraordinary musicality of many of the people who have it. She earned her M.F.A. from UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, and enjoys making documentaries. She's honored that her work has been recognized by ASAM and hopes for a brighter future for people struggling with addiction. Links: ASAM Awards & Scholarships Rehab Riviera The Orange County Register Southern California News Group American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) California Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) The Strangest Song: One Father’s Quest to Help His Daughter Find Her Voice   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Stephanie Weiss, MD, PhD, FASAM, joins us for this special episode recorded at ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference. Dr. Weiss shares her experiences attending ASAM’s conferences over the past few years, including the virtual conference in 2020 when she was a Ruth Fox Scholar. She talks about her extensive educational journey and the surprising path to her current job at NIDA. She also discusses her work regarding kratom, kratom use, and how that use differs in the US versus other countries. Dr. Weiss addresses the challenges of interpreting urine drug testing and the complexities of stigma related to addiction.   Dr. Weiss is the staff clinician serving the Translational Addiction Medicine Branch (TAMB) of the NIDA IRP. After earning a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of South Florida, Dr. Weiss received her medical degree from Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in 2011. She practiced as an emergency physician in Florida before completing fellowships in addiction medicine and medical toxicology, a subspecialty that cares for patients with poisonings, environmental exposures, and overdoses. She also participated in Boston University’s Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars Program, which fosters the development of addiction physician scientists. Dr. Weiss assumes responsibility for providing optimal, safe, and ethical care to study participants and clinical support toward the TAMB mission of conducting inpatient and outpatient proof-of-concept human laboratory studies. Her research interests include kratom toxicology, medication misuse, and improving interpretation of urine drug testing. Links: ASAM Annual Conference information Ruth Fox Scholarship Program NIDA – National Institute on Drug Abuse Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars Program American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Alexander Zotos, MD, FASAM, joined our host, Zach, live from ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference in early April. In this special episode, Dr. Zotos explains how his mentors and patients influenced his decision to pursue the field of addiction medicine. He talks about how perceptions surrounding addiction have evolved over time and efforts of the Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TNSAM) to challenge the stigma associated with addiction. Dr. Zotos shares his thoughts on the importance of holistic care, his positive experiences attending ASAM’s conferences over the years, and his main takeaways from this year’s conference. He offers advice to his younger self and newer addiction medicine professionals, stressing the importance of education and training. Dr. Zotos has been practicing addiction medicine for over 18 years in the Chattanooga, TN, area. Having worked in both public and private settings, he brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the field of addiction medicine. Since his medical residency, Dr. Zotos has been working at a local treatment center and currently serves as the assistant medical director. His special interests include treatment of opioid use disorder with buprenorphine. He has been board certified in addiction medicine since 2010.  Dr. Zotos additionally works in emergency medicine and is board certified in family medicine. He currently serves as the treasurer and past president of TNSAM.    Links: ASAM Annual Conference information Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TNSAM) American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, we are joined by George Koob, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Dr. Koob talks about his background and career journey, along with major insights made through his research, including regarding alcohol withdrawal. He addresses stigma related to alcohol use (or abstinence from) and offers advice for the next generation of researchers and clinicians in this exciting and dynamic space, with so much potential for expanding knowledge. Dr. Koob shares resources for individuals, family members, physicians, or anyone looking for information related to alcohol use and alcohol use disorder, including Rethinking Drinking and the NIAAA Treatment Navigator. He emphasizes the importance of motivation (e.g., motivational interviewing) rather than confrontation and seeing your doctor, or encouraging your loved one to see their doctor, for a physical as a good first step in addressing any issues related to alcohol use. Dr. Koob finally explains his motivation for continuing his work in this field. In addition to serving as director of NIAAA, Dr. Koob is also a senior investigator at the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse where he directs the Neurobiology of Addiction Laboratory in the Integrative Neurosciences Research Branch. As an authority on alcohol use disorder, drug addiction, and stress, he has contributed to our understanding of the neurocircuitry associated with the acute reinforcing effects of alcohol and drugs and the neuroadaptations of the reward and stress circuits associated with the transition to dependence. He has published over 800 peer reviewed papers; mentored 13 PhD students, 85 post-doctoral fellows, and 11 K99’s (Pathway to Independence Award postdoctoral researchers); and authored several books including the Neurobiology of Addiction. He received his PhD in behavioral physiology from Johns Hopkins University in 1972. He did post-doctoral studies at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the University of Cambridge (England). He subsequently held positions at The Salk Institute and the Scripps Research Institute. Dr. Koob is the recipient of many honors, including membership in the National Academy of Medicine (USA) and award of the Legion of Honor (France). Links: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Society for Neuroscience – Autobiographical Chapter Rethinking Drinking NIAAA Treatment Navigator National Institute on Drug Abuse Neurobiology of Addiction The Healthcare Professional’s Core Resource on Alcohol American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

For this special episode recorded live at ASAM’s Annual Conference, Kelly Ramsey, MD, MPH, MA, FACP, DFASAM, talks about her journey into the field of addiction medicine and how her early experience dispelled myths she previously heard about people who use drugs. She addresses stigma related to addiction, the prevalence of xylazine in the illicit drug supply*, and the need to recognize and treat appropriately polysubstance drug use and overdoses. Dr. Ramsey also discusses her thoughts about the future of addiction medicine and the importance of harm reduction and meeting patients where they are. She shares what she finds enjoyable about attending ASAM’s conference and offers words of wisdom to the new generation of addiction medicine providers. Dr. Ramsey is a board-certified internal medicine and addiction medicine physician who has treated substance use disorder since 2004. She worked as medical director of an academic center-based opioid treatment program (OTP) in the South Bronx before working for nearly a decade for a large FQHC in the Hudson Valley where she created and grew a medication for addiction treatment (MAT) program for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) to 10 sites and 1500 patients. More recently, Dr. Ramsey worked as the chief of medical services at the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), in a policy, regulatory, and clinical role. Dr. Ramsey currently works as an addiction medicine and harm reduction consultant as well as providing low threshold clinical care and clinical supervision in addiction medicine in three drug user health hubs in New York. She has provided expert advice to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) AIDS Institute and their Office of Drug User Health (ODUH), serving on numerous committees for about 15 years, providing expertise in addiction medicine, harm reduction, HIV care, and HCV care. Dr. Ramsey was the recipient of the New York State Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award for contributions to drug user health in NYS in December 2018. She was the Distinguished Contributions to Behavioral Medicine Award Recipient, awarded by the American College of Physicians (ACP) in April 2023. Dr. Ramsey was awarded the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Special Medical Alumni Board Award in October 2023. Dr. Ramsey is the immediate past president of the New York Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (NYSAM) Board of Directors. In addition, she currently serves as Region I Director, representing NYS, on the national American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Board of Directors. Links: ASAM’s Annual Conference information Finding Lifesaving Solutions to a Dangerous Trend American Society of Addiction Medicine   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.   *The comments in the discussion alluding to 90% of syringes containing xylazine refer to the findings of the following study: The Emerging of Xylazine as a New Drug of Abuse and its Health Consequences among Drug Users in Puerto Rico - PMC (nih.gov).

Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, PsyD, joined us from the ASAM 55th Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, which took place April 4-7, 2024. In this special episode, Dr. Utter talks about her experiences at conference over the years and the relationships she has built over time at this annual event. She also describes some of her favorite memories from conference, what she loves about attending, and why she thinks others should attend, as well (spoiler: Connections! Meet-ups! Yoga! Beautiful location!). She emphasizes the importance of self-care for addiction treatment providers and offers advice for those who may have a loved one struggling with addiction or individuals in active addiction. Dr. Utter is a licensed psychologist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is PSYPACT certified, allowing her to conduct telepsychology across state boundaries. Dr. Utter specializes in working with individuals who struggle with co-occurring mental health concerns like substances use disorders in conjunction with severe depression and anxiety. She also works in medical affairs as a clinical scientist in the substance use disorder space. In 2020, Dr. Utter released her first book, Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope and Resisting Drug Addiction, which resulted from her desire to share her story and instill hope in others. The book is based on her life experiences and challenges as a result of her parents’ struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, and other mental health concerns like major depressive disorder, severe anxiety, and trauma. Her documentary cleverly titled Utter Nonsense was released on Apple TV and Prime Video in August of 2023. It is an informative, touching, and personal look into the world of drug addiction. It focuses on individuals in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and follows her story and a few others to educate on how addiction impacts everyone in its orbit. Released in September of 2023, her second book Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today focuses on the aftershock phenomenon, a repertoire of delayed mental health symptoms like irritability, emotional fatigue, and depression, all rooted in seemingly everyday events like parenting, changing careers, divorce, the death of a loved one, etc., that produce real but often unrecognized stress and trauma. Dr. Utter currently lives in a Philadelphia suburb with her husband and two children. When she is not practicing psychology or writing, she can be found on the soccer field or basketball court cheering for her kiddos. Links: ASAM Annual Conference Information Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope, and Resisting Drug Addiction Utter Nonsense Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today American Society of Addiction Medicine If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

This episode of the Treat Addiction Save Lives Podcast features Anthony Albanese, MD, DFASAM. ASAM’s 2024 Annual Award recipient, Dr. Albanese reflects on personal memories about how he learned about addiction and aspired to be an endoscopist because of video games like Space Invaders and Pacman. Dr. Albanese discusses his approach to medicine, focusing on the mind-body connection. He also talks about the emphasis he places on addiction medicine education and its importance in challenging the stigma, shame, and insecurity around addiction. Dr. Albanese explains his philosophy of "no wrong door" to treatment, how his career has evolved, and what motivates him to continue his work. Finally, Dr. Albanese offers advice to the next generation of addiction medicine specialists. Dr. Albanese is the chief of medicine for the VA Northern California Health Care System. He is also a health sciences clinical professor of medicine and psychiatry at the UC Davis School of Medicine, and a vice chair in the Department of Medicine. He attended college and medical school at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduating in 1986. Dr. Albanese did his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology at The St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York (now Mount Sinai West), and hepatology fellowship at the University of Miami. Under the mentorship of the addiction physicians in New York, he worked in the hospital’s methadone clinic and detoxification programs. In Miami Beach, Dr. Albanese worked as the co-director of an addiction treatment program. After moving to Sacramento, California, he continued his work at the VA in gastroenterology, hepatology, and addiction medicine. Since then, he has had various roles at the VA including a position as an affiliations officer with the VA Office of Academic Affiliations. After completing a major national GME expansion project in 2021, Dr. Albanese returned to VA Northern California as chief of medicine. His research interests and publications have regarded the medical aspects associated with opioids and alcohol use, intestinal changes associated with HIV infection, and graduate medical education. He became a certified addiction medicine specialist first by ASAM in 1991, then by ABAM in 2007, and by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in 2019.   Links: VA Northern California Health Care | Veterans Affairs American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) ASAM’s Awards & Scholarships American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Dr. Jasleen Salwan stopped by to speak with our host, Zach, at ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference. In this special episode, she talks about her journey into the field of addiction medicine and how it marries together her interests in both individual and population health, and mental and physical health. Dr. Salwan expresses how grateful she is for her mentors who have inspired her along the way and to be practicing in the addiction medicine space. She speaks about her experiences at ASAM’s conferences over the years, including how gathering together with other addiction medicine professionals feels like a family reunion. She discusses the panel session in which she participated at this year’s conference – The Future of Addiction Care: Transformed Systems, Practices, and Lives – and the importance of The ASAM Criteria™ in the treatment of addiction. As a physician practicing primary care and addiction treatment together, she shares her vision of the future of the addiction medicine field and talks about the impacts of stigma and the challenges related to how addiction treatment centers are perceived. Finally, Dr. Salwan offers advice to the next generation of addiction treatment providers. Jasleen Salwan, MD, MPH, FASAM, is a board-certified addiction medicine and internal medicine physician practicing integrated primary care and substance use disorder treatment at Montgomery Family & Internal Medicine Associates in Silver Spring, Maryland. She earned her medical and public health degrees at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed residency at the Yale Primary Care program followed by a fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. She is a member of the ASAM Education core faculty and a consultant for the District Addiction Consultation Service (DACS). Dr Salwan is passionate about harm reduction advocacy and has published opinion pieces in the Hartford Courant and the Baltimore Sun. She also enjoys writing about the intersection of substance use and general medicine for a lay audience in her Psychology Today blog, No Quick Fix: Challenges in Addiction Medicine and Primary Care.   Links: ASAM Annual Conference Information The Future of Addiction Care: Transformed Systems, Practices, and Lives The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition Montgomery Family & Internal Medicine Associates American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) District Addiction Consultation Services (DACS) No Quick Fix: Challenges in addiction medicine and primary care   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Ian Latham, MD, sat down with our host, Zach, at ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference. In this special episode, he speaks about his journey into the field of addiction medicine and his experience as an addiction medicine fellow at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Latham divulges what he enjoys about attending ASAM’s annual conference and his impressions from this year’s conference, in particular. He talks about the benefits of being a Ruth Fox Scholar and offers advice for other fellows or anyone thinking of entering the field of addiction medicine. Dr. Latham also shares his feelings about the state of the addiction medicine community in Minnesota. Dr. Latham is an addiction medicine fellow at the University of Minnesota; he recently completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Minnesota/North Memorial Residency Program. He completed his undergraduate education in molecular biology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and his medical education at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he participated in research in narrative medicine, trauma-informed addiction care, and mobile services for buprenorphine treatment. Dr. Latham has a particular interest in working with patients who identify within the LGBTQ+ community, the management of behavioral addictions, and the treatment and prevention of viral disease among people living with addiction.   Links: ASAM’s Annual Conference Information Ruth Fox Scholarship Program Information American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Dr. Jasmine Douglas joined us live from ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference. In this episode, she shares a personal connection that brought her into the field of addiction medicine and her excitement about starting an addiction medicine fellowship this summer. Dr. Douglas also shares her thoughts about attending ASAM’s Annual Conference and perspectives regarding stigma related to addiction. She discusses why she believes in holistic care when treating individuals with addiction and offers advice to her younger self (ride the wave!) and medical students or other professionals interested in pursuing the field of addiction medicine. Dr. Douglas is a third-year family medicine resident at the University of Texas HSC in Tyler, Texas. She is eagerly anticipating the start of her addiction medicine fellowship this July at UAMS in Little Rock, AK. Dr. Douglas is also a dedicated REACH fellow. This program focuses on increasing diversity in addiction medicine and ensuring culturally competent care for patients with substance use disorders. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Douglas finds fulfillment as the proud guardian of her sweet 2-year-old niece. She enjoys spending time outdoors, engaging in imaginative play, and creating special memories with her little one.   Links: ASAM Annual Conference Information REACH American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Dr. Chad Elkin joins us from ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference for a very informative conversation! He shares his experiences at ASAM conferences over the years and why he finds attending beneficial. He talks about his path into the field of addiction medicine and founding National Addiction Specialists. Dr. Elkin, soon-to-be president of the Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TNSAM), discusses advocacy and other efforts happening in the state with regard to addiction and treatment. He describes the connection between dopamine and addiction and shares his extensive knowledge of the history of addiction, including the role of the British East India Company, the first opioid addiction epidemic in 1820, and the black-market trade of opium. He also discusses the current opioid epidemic and the proliferation of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply, including the origin of fentanyl precursors and how today’s drug cartels operate. Dr. Chad Elkin is founder and medical director of National Addiction Specialists, a company offering addiction services for clients with substance use disorders such as opioid use disorder. He is board certified in addiction medicine and internal medicine. He serves as chairman of ASAM’s Health Technology Committee, is a member of ASAM’s Practice Management and Regulatory Affairs Committee (PMRAC), and State Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Committee (SALC). At the state level, he serves as legislative chairman and president-elect of TNSAM. He is also on the planning committee for the Mid-South Addiction Conference held at Vanderbilt annually. Dr. Elkin collaborates with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and state legislators to support evidence-based regulatory and legislative changes concerning addiction medicine. He is also the host of the podcast Breaking Down Addiction, which explores various addiction topics. Dr. Elkins describes himself as an eternal optimist and a 7 on the enneagram scale, craving new adventures and experiences. His passion outside of work is competitive tennis, pickleball, snow skiing, working out, and watching Novak Djokovic destroy all tennis records. He enjoys exotic vacations with his wife and kids, helping his daughters get better at tennis, reading books about the history of addiction, and learning French and Spanish on Duolingo. He loves conversations with friends, chooses uplifting success-minded colleagues, is fiercely loyal, and tries to figure out ways to help them win in business and life.   Links: ASAM Annual Conference Information National Addiction Specialists Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TNSAM) Breaking Down Addiction American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Dr. Kwadwo Owusu-Boaitey joined us live from ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference. Dr. Owusu-Boaitey, who is in his first year of residency, shares how he became interested in the field of addiction medicine. He also shares the highlights from his experience at ASAM’s conference, generally and as a Ruth Fox Scholar. He discusses the emphasis he places on treating patients holistically and the importance of all members of the care team in treating addiction. He also reflects on the state of stigma around addiction, based on his experience, and offers advice to the next generation of addiction medicine specialists. Dr. Kwadwo Owusu-Boaitey is a resident physician in psychiatry at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. He completed undergraduate studies in Philosophy (B.A.) and Biological Sciences (B.S.) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he was a Meyerhoff Scholar. He subsequently received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his PhD from the MIT Biology Department, where he studied regenerative biology. Dr. Owusu-Boaitey developed a passion for clinical psychiatry and addiction medicine during his latter stages of medical school, and is excited about his career as a budding addiction psychiatrist. His clinical interests are in new drug development (within both addiction and psychiatry broadly), and also the spiritual aspects of holistic addiction care. He serves as a regular volunteer with Miracle Mile Ministries (a faith-based outreach ministry serving people experiencing homelessness and substance addiction in Boston) and is a recipient of a 2024 Ruth Fox Scholarship from the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the 2023 Regional Travel Award from the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. Outside of medicine, Dr. Owusu-Boaitey enjoys competitive soccer/basketball, spoken word, and is the world’s biggest fan of The Bible Project. Links: ASAM’s Annual Conference Information Ruth Fox Scholarship Program Information American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) Miracle Mile Ministries The Bible Project If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Dr. Michael Baca-Atlas joins host, Zach, from ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference. After sharing his favorite breakfast food, Dr. Baca-Atlas talks about his journey into the field of addiction medicine and his pathway to currently focusing on the intersection of primary care, mental health, and substance use disorder (SUD). He discusses being a former Ruth Fox Scholar and the opportunities that experience provided. Dr. Baca-Atlas also shares his perspectives on the stigma surrounding addiction and the need for improvement with regard to inequity related to substance use and treatment. He discusses the workshop session, Not HOCUS POCUS: Bedside U/S for the Addiction Medicine Specialist, he co-presented at conference about point of care ultrasound (POCUS). Dr. Baca-Atlas, who will become president of the North Carolina Society of Addiction Medicine (NCSAM) in July, shares his goals in this new role and why he is looking forward to this opportunity. He also shares his experience in the podcasting field with Hippo Education and the Primary Care RAP podcast. Finally, Dr. Baca-Atlas offers advice for his younger self and the next generation of addiction medicine specialists. Dr. Baca-Atlas is originally from Baltimore, MD. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland, College Park and medical school at University of Maryland in Baltimore. He completed his family medicine residency at UNC as well as an addiction medicine fellowship at UNC in the Department of Psychiatry. He serves as the medical director for UNC REACH Enhanced Primary Care and associate medical director for the Tobacco Treatment Program. He also serves as a contributor for Primary Care RAP (Reviews and Perspectives), a medical education podcast. Outside of work, Dr. Baca-Atlas enjoys spending time with his partner, eating breakfast for dinner, and traveling. Links: ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference Information Ruth Fox Scholarship Not HOCUS POCUS: Bedside U/S for the Addiction Medicine Specialist North Carolina Society of Addiction Medicine (NCSAM) Hippo Education Primary Care RAP podcast   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Dr. Cara Poland joins host Zach from ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas. She shares her journey into the field of addiction medicine and her personal reasons for feeling so passionate about the field. Dr. Poland discusses her thoughts about why alcohol use disorder (AUD) is generally seen as less serious than other substance use disorders (SUD), such as opioid use disorder, and the importance of FDA-approved medications for addiction, kindness, and compassion in treatment. She talks about myriad sources of stigma associated with addiction, her focus on education and training of the next generation of addiction specialists, and reducing stigma within the medical community. Dr. Poland also shares some personal experiences from ASAM’s Annual Conference, past and present, and advice for clinicians new to the addiction medicine field. Dr. Cara Poland is a recognized expert in addiction medicine. She is a faculty member at Michigan State University. She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University and was trained in internal medicine at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in addiction medicine at Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her master's degree in education from Boston University. She has an interest in educating health care providers and providers-in-training to improve care for patients with SUD, particularly during pregnancy and early parenting.   Links: Cara Poland, MD - Addiction Medicine Physician ASAM’s Annual Conference Information MI Cares   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Dr. Nzinga Harrison joins the podcast and shares her journey into medicine – and psychiatry and addiction medicine, in particular – including how being raised by activist parents impacted her career path. She also emphasizes that mental health issues and substance use disorders are chronic conditions and the importance of separating the person from the symptoms of their condition or illness. Dr. Harrison shares the inspiration behind her recently-released book, Un-Addiction: 6 Mind-Changing Conversations That Could Save a Life, and what the writing process was like for her. She discusses the inheritability of addiction and how other factors (e.g., psychological, environmental) play into addiction as well. Dr. Harrison talks about the concept of pre-addiction vs. addiction and the spectrum of the illness. She emphasizes the importance of the whole care team and comprehensive care in addiction treatment. Dr. Harrison also discusses stigma and stigmatizing language surrounding addiction and the importance and implications of states and organizations making changes to the language they use. She shares key takeaways from her own experiences hosting podcasts, including her latest, Un-Addiction. Finally, Dr. Harrison shares advice she would offer her younger self and the next generation of addiction medicine providers. Dr. Nzinga Harrison is passionate and outspoken about the need to expand the addiction medicine workforce. She is the co-founder and chief medical officer for Eleanor Health, an innovative mental health and addiction treatment company, and has more than 20 years of experience practicing medicine. She is a double-board certified physician with specialties in general adult psychiatry and addiction medicine. Dr. Harrison completed undergraduate training at Howard University in Washington DC, medical school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and residency training at Emory University in Atlanta. She has spent her career as a physician treating individuals from marginalized communities with substance use and other mental health conditions. As a physician executive, she has served as senior vice president and chief medical officer, roles committed to creating and improving systems-based delivery of psychiatric and substance use disorder care. She is a vocal advocate for stigma reduction and is passionate about the necessity for whole-person care as individuals and communities seek to recover from and prevent substance use disorders. You can read more about these issues in her new book, Un- Addiction: 6 Mind-Changing Conversations That Could Save a Life. She also appears in the award-winning documentary Tipping the Pain Scale, which addresses the crisis of addiction in America. Dr. Harrison holds an adjunct faculty appointment at the Morehouse School of Medicine and is vice-chair for the Practice Management and Regulatory Affairs Committee for ASAM. She has been married to her husband Joel for 20 years and has two sons, ages 17 and 18.   LINKS: Un-Addiction: 6 Mind-Changing Conversations That Could Save a Life Un-Addiction podcast (also available on other platforms) Eleanor Health Tipping the Pain Scale Treat Addiction Save Lives Podcast If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

In another special episode of the Treat Addiction Save Lives Podcast, we are joined by Jonathan Stoltman and Ashton Marra, co-founders of Reporting on Addiction, a collaboration of the Opioid Policy Institute and 100 Days in Appalachia, along with addiction science experts, professional journalists, and journalism educators, with the goal of improving reporting on the topic of addiction. Jonathan and Ashton share how they became focused on promoting responsible reporting around addiction, from their backgrounds in journalism and education (Ashton) and addiction science and research (Jonathan), and the genesis of the Reporting on Addiction project, in response to then-current media coverage of the topic. They talk about the importance of helping both journalists (including journalism educators and students) and addiction experts so they can communicate more effectively and understand how to spread awareness about addiction, dismantle the stigma around it, and make information accessible to media consumers. Ashton and Jonathan discuss why they find it exciting to work with young journalists and journalism students, the importance of local news outlets, and more specifically, the vital role of college and university newsrooms. They also share tips for journalists about how to bring attention to their stories, how Reporting on Addiction helps addiction experts, and why it is essential that experts communicate with members of the media and student journalists. Jonathan and Ashton speak out their individual organizations – the Opioid Policy Institute and 100 Days in Appalachia – and other areas in which they are helping journalists with their reporting. They address the concept of stigma around addiction in reporting, helping journalists change their perspective, and how they can see addiction reporting evolving in a positive way. Finally, Ashton and Jonathan share advice and key takeaways for journalists and experts, both. Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD is co-director of Reporting on Addiction; a project working to increase the accuracy and empathy of reporting on drug use and addiction. He is also director of the Opioid Policy Institute; a think tank that uses multi-pronged approaches to better understand gaps in treatment and recovery services. Ashton Marra is the co-founder and co-director of Reporting on Addiction, a collaborative project working to train professional and student journalists in solutions-focused journalism methods that help break cycles of stigma often perpetuated through media coverage of our communities. Ashton is also a teaching assistant professor in the West Virginia University Reed College of Media, where she teaches broadcast, writing, investigative and community-engagement courses, and is the executive editor of 100 Days in Appalachia, a national Edward R. Murrow award-winning publication. There, she oversees the work of a team of editors, contributors and reporters across Appalachia to create content by Appalachians for Appalachians. Links Reporting on Addiction 100 Days in Appalachia Opioid Policy Institute The State of Local News Project | Local News Initiative (northwestern.edu)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information.   The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

In this special episode, we are joined by journalist Aneri Pattani. Ms. Pattani shares how her interest in the field of mental health journalism grew from a personal experience during her college years. She discusses how reporting on mental health and addiction has traditionally fallen under the crime beat and has therefore generally failed to cover the public health aspect of the larger story. She talks about mental health and addiction as systematic issues that should be reported in their larger context, rather than covered as individual events. Ms. Pattani offers her thoughts on how journalists can prepare to report on these health and science topics and shares helpful resources, including the Association of Health Care Journalists and The Open Notebook. She also touches on how reporting on mental health and addiction differs from other types of reporting. Ms. Pattani discusses her writing process, experiences working in this field, and the evolution of mental health and addiction reporting. Finally, she shares advice for both seasoned and new reporters who cover and would like to cover mental health and addiction. Aneri Pattani is a senior correspondent at KFF Health News, a national nonprofit outlet covering US health care and health policy. Ms. Pattani reports on a range of public health topics, with a focus on mental health, suicide, and substance use. Over the past year, she’s produced a series of text and audio stories – published with NPR and CNN among other national outlets – about how state and local governments are spending their opioid settlement funds. She was a 2019 recipient of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism. She is pursuing her master’s in public health as a Bloomberg fellow at Johns Hopkins University.   LINKS: Association of Health Care Journalists The Open Notebook How ERs Fail Patients With Addiction: One Patient’s Tragic Death From Uber Rides to Patient Advocates: What It Takes to Increase ER Addiction Treatment Aneri Pattani (squarespace.com) KFF Health News ASAM Media Relations & Resources Treat Addiction Save Lives Podcast   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information.   The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

In this episode, Dr. Nick Christian sits down with host, Zach, for a second time and talks about his experiences making music and touring with a country music band and how music fits into his life as an addiction medicine provider. He talks about moving to Austin, Texas, for his residency, where he knew he would be surrounded by other musicians. There, he connected with a band called Fertility House and released an album, Dust. Dr. Christian discusses his involvement with Humans of ATX, promoting humanism through patient encounters using art, and his thoughts on that experience through the lens of being a practitioner. He shares about Community First Village, where he previously lived and helped start a music collective, and how meaningful it is to connect with others through music. He believes that “art allows us to transcend the suffering of human experience” and is therapeutic for both the individual and the relationship that is built through creating art together.    Dr. Christian shares his thoughts on the importance of self-care and what that means for him. He talks about Health as a Human Right and his belief that addiction is currently the greatest threat to human health in the US. Reflecting back, Dr. Christian offers advice to his younger self and others upcoming in the medical community. Finally, Dr. Christian talks about R2R Productions, his new podcast venture with co-host Brandon Sands, and their first series, Sonic Buzz, in which they use a particular song to guide each episode’s discussion about substance use and addiction. Dr. Nicholaus “Nick” Christian is board certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine and serves as a Staff Clinician with the Office of the Clinical Director, NIDA IRP. He received his medical degree and Master of Business Administration from Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and completed residency training at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as chief resident. He subsequently completed his addiction medicine fellowship at the Yale Program in Addiction Medicine as well as postdoctoral research training through the Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development program. Nick brings extensive experience providing inpatient and outpatient addiction care and conducting community-based participatory research with people with addiction who have experienced homelessness. His research interests include engaging marginalized populations in scientific research and improving care for people living with addiction.   Links: Sonic Buzz by R2R Productions Dust, album by Fertility House Community First! Village - Mobile Loaves & Fishes (mlf.org) Pure Goodness Music Collective, Vol. 1 Health as a Human Right: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians | Annals of Internal Medicine (acpjournals.org)   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information.   The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.

Dr. Gabrielle Jones is the recipient of the 2024 ASAM Award for the Promotion of Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Justice in Addiction Medicine. She joins the Treat Addiction Save Lives Podcast to discuss her experiences working with young people and how those experiences brought her into the field of addiction medicine. Dr. Jones shares her thoughts on the importance of community and connectedness throughout the treatment and recovery process while recognizing each individual’s uniqueness. She talks about the need for cultural responsiveness in addiction treatment, which is the topic of her upcoming book, Culturally Responsive Substance Use Treatment: A Guide for Practitioners, Students, and Organizations. Dr. Jones emphasizes the importance of recognizing each individual’s lived experiences and identities and developing an individualized and comprehensive addiction treatment program based on these factors. Dr. Jones shares what she discovered while working in various communities and how identity played a role in substance use in these areas. She also discusses her involvement with The Miles Hall Foundation, raising awareness, and expanding access to mental health treatment to those who need it. Dr. Jones shares her thoughts and experiences with stigma related to addiction and addiction treatment, including the impact of non-stigmatizing language and some ways in which she has personally experienced stigma while treating addiction, in addition to forms of stigma faced by patients. Finally, Dr. Jones offers advice to those who may be considering or beginning a career in addiction medicine.   In addition to being honored by ASAM, Dr. Jones is also being recognized by Oklahoma State University with the College of Education and Human Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award, which is given to those who demonstrate significant promise toward establishing a distinguished career and making impactful contributions to their profession and beyond. Honorees seek opportunities to grow in their talents and purposefully serve others. Their quest for excellence is shown through their accomplishments, service to the community, and leadership potential.   Gabrielle Jones, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and the CEO and founder of Steady Clinical Consultation, Training, and Development Services. She founded Steady to improve substance use treatment for historically marginalized populations at the system level and to provide consultation and coaching to leadership and executives who are committed to championing Belonging, Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (BJED&I) in their workplace and for their workforce. Her expertise is in substance use treatment for youth and adults, and BJED&I initiatives at the system level. She has over a decade of experience working with marginalized communities, specifically, adolescents labeled \"at-risk,\" people involved in the juvenile justice system and their families, and people who have substance use concerns or have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Dr. Jones has worked in direct care hospital settings, community mental health settings, primary school settings, and university settings as a faculty member. She provides trainings to non-profit organizations related to substance use and cultural responsiveness in the context of mental health treatment, and consultation to individuals working with populations listed above. In addition to Dr. Jones’s consultations and trainings, she is active in non-profit board leadership, serving as vice chair for The Miles Hall Foundation, an organization committed to creating an alternative to calling the police during a mental health crisis, and previously serving as the Membership Board chair for the American Psychological Association. Dr. Jones received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at California State University, Long Beach. She completed her Master’s and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Oklahoma State University. Her upcoming book, \"Culturally Responsive Substance Use Treatment: A Guide for Practitioners, Students, and Organizations\" introduces her CRST Framework and is intended to transform the current substance use treatment landscape and promote a standard of care that is truly culturally responsive.   Links: ASAM’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Justice in Addiction Medicine Award Culturally Responsive Substance Use Treatment: A Guide for Practitioners, Students, and Organization The Miles Hall Foundation Steady Clinical Consultation, Training and Development Services Oklahoma State University College of Education and Human Sciences American Psychological Association   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information.

Dr. Michael Fingerhood is a professor of medicine and public health at Johns Hopkins University and chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. In this episode, he shares his early experiences in medical school in the Bronx and how stigma within the medical community influenced his decision to pursue a career in addiction medicine. Dr. Fingerhood continues to combat stigma related to addiction, including through the Words Matter Pledge initiative. Dr. Fingerhood discusses the importance of raising awareness about stigma related to addiction, including through the practice of integrated care rather than siloing care. Dr. Fingerhood also talks about patients’ self-assigned stigma, undoing shame and blame, and the importance of coping skills and strategies. He shares that, for him, helping patients in this way within the primary care setting is powerful. Dr. Fingerhood discusses the importance of teaching and training others – including students, residents, and fellows – to treat addiction and how the net of impact is widened through this process. Dr. Fingerhood is very active in his community, treating addiction and addressing associated stigma in various ways, and he shares how and why these activities are so important to him. He recalls the first patient for whom he prescribed buprenorphine – she is still his patient decades later! – and he offers advice for others interested in or joining the field of addiction medicine. Dr. Fingerhood grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and his Brooklyn accent still comes out at times. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Johns Hopkins University and his Medical Degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. His experiences in the Bronx helped shape his interest in addiction medicine. He completed internal medicine training and a chief resident year at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The mission of Dr. Fingerhood’s career has been to promote and improve the provision of medical care to patients with substance use disorder, including the treatment of HIV and hepatitis C, with the development, maintenance, and evaluation of innovative programs related to the care of these individuals. Dr. Fingerhood created the Comprehensive Care Practice in 1994, a Ryan White-funded primary care practice largely devoted to providing care to individuals with substance use disorder. The practice has been innovative in integrating buprenorphine treatment into the primary care setting for over 700 individuals. He has also co-created novel buprenorphine treatment programs at a community center, at a church, and in a mobile van outside the Baltimore detention center. He has received the Health Equity Leadership Award from the Baltimore City Health Department. Dr. Fingerhood is co-author of the ASAM Handbook of Addiction Medicine and currently chairs the ASAM State of the Art Course in Addiction Medicine Program Planning Committee and the ASAM Medical Education Council. He was the chair of the ASAM Annual Conference Program Planning Committee for 6 years. Dr. Fingerhood has co-authored over 70 research papers and has received NIH research funding continuously over the past 30 years. Despite leaving New York, he remains an avid Yankees, Knicks, and Rangers fan, and he enjoys seeing three or four Broadway plays each year.   Links: Division of Addiction Medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Words Matter Pledge ASAM Handbook of Addiction Medicine ASAM State of the Art Course ASAM Annual Conference   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information.