Join us as we unpack the world of addiction psychiatry, right from the role of an addiction psychiatrist to just how and why substance abuse has such a consequential impact on the lives of people in our community. We'll be exploring some tips and tricks on entering the psychiatry training program here in Australia and also addressing the stigma that continues to perpetuate.

Substance abuse, misuse and addiction can have a profoundly damaging impact on individuals, families and communities. It is still to this day one of the most stigmatised health conditions in the world and largely misunderstood in our society.

TW: We will be discussing issues relating to mental health and addiction which may be confronting or alarming. We really encourage you to please reach out for support if you feel you need it and to only listen in if you feel comfortable and able to do so (see timestamps for descriptions of specific sections!)

We’re joined by Prof. Dan Lubman, a psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist whose bio is too long for the episode description, but see here for just a few of his notable accomplishments :))

• Professor of Addiction Studies and Services at Monash University


• Executive Clinical Director of Turning Point, Australia's leading national addiction treatment, research and education centre


• Inaugural Director of the Monash Addiction Research Centre


• Professor of Addiction Studies and Services at Monash University.


• Recently appointed Member of the Order of Australia for his ‘significant service in medical education, research, treatment and policy in the field of addiction’

So today, let's start the conversation, let's break down the misconceptions and let's learn more about addiction and psychiatry!

Key time stamps below (as per question asked):

• 4:45 - Introduction and background from Prof. Dan Lubman providing an insight into his career path


• 9:10 - Stigma within addiction psychiatry and experiences


• 12:20 - How to get involved and contribute to campaigns to deal with the stigma associated with addiction psychiatry


• 16:00 - Role of an addiction psychiatrist and the mental health impacts of substance abuse


• 20:45 - Concept of agency and choice within addiction


• 25:58 - Misconceptions within addiction


• 29:00 - Working with patients and how to provide support


• 33:24 - Establishing rapport with patients, listening


• 38:10 - Substance abuse and addiction during COVID


• 41:15 - Tips and advice to enter the psychiatry training program here in Australia, reflections as a psychiatrist


• 45:28 - How to manage own mental health as a psychiatrist and maintain empathy


• 48:05 - What we can do to tackle stigma (actionable steps), humanising stories


• 52:47 - Words of advice, reflections on career and the power of listening

Also attached are a few links regarding addiction and psychiatry so if you're interested please do check them out!

• Turning Point: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/


• Rethink Addiction Campaign: https://www.rethinkaddiction.org.au/


• Addicted Australia Documentary (SBS): https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/addicted-australia


• Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation (COPE): https://idpc.net/profile/cdpe