Three addiction medicine doctors in three different states share advocacy wins from 2025. Learn about the policies shaping addiction medicine across the country, and what helped push these legislative wins over the finish line.  Plus, discover highlights from ASAM’s new report on major state-level addiction medicine trends this year.  Featured in this episode:  Chad Elkin, MD, Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine  Cate Heil, MD, Idaho Society of Addiction Medicine  Stephanie Stewart, MD, Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine    Links:  ASAM’s 2025 Mid-year Report: Trends in Addiction Medicine State Legislation   List of 2025 Enacted State Legislation 

Author and journalist Maia Szalavitz - winner of this year's 2025 ASAM Media Award - sat down to talk about her career covering addiction and public policy, as well as her most recent book Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction - 🏅ASAM Awards & Recognition 👉 Maia Szalavitz Official Website 📕 Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction

ASAM President Elect Tim Wiegand, MD, FACMT, FAACT, DFASAM, sat down with us at this year's 56th ASAM Annual Conference to discuss his road to addiction medicine and why he wanted to get involved in a leadership position with ASAM. - 🏅ASAM Awards & Recognition

Grab your tissues for this moving and powerful episode! Flora Sadri-Azarbayejani, DO, MPH, FAAFP, FASAM, joins host, Zach, to talk about her path to and passion for practicing addiction medicine. During the conversation, she shares stories and experiences that have been impactful on her journey and shaped both how she practices medicine – emphasizing the critical component of compassion – and her perspectives on addiction. Dr. Flora Sadri-Azarbayejani attended Boston University, where she earned an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and a dual master’s degree in epidemiology and biostatistics, and medical science. She attained a doctorate in medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani worked as an epidemiologist in infectious disease at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; completed residency and became a family physician and eventually chief medical officer at The Community Health Center of Franklin County (Massachusetts); and, after becoming board certified in addiction medicine, has worked in the addiction medicine space since 2014 in both inpatient and outpatient settings and has opened programs in both arenas.   Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani serves as the medical director for substance use services at Lowell Community Health Center and medical director for an inpatient addiction treatment center. She is active in various medical societies, including the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). She has been involved with the development of CARF guidelines for outpatient addiction treatment programs and hopes to make an impact on passing legislation of supervised consumption sites in the near future. LINKS: Massachusetts Medical Society American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) CARF International   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.

Alta DeRoo, MD, MBA, FACOG, DFASAM, joins host, Zach, to talk about her experience in the US Navy (USN) and her path to practicing OBGYN and addiction medicine. She discusses the intersection of general medicine or primary specialty practice and addiction and shares her perspectives on stigma related to addiction. Dr. DeRoo explains the potential challenges of transitioning from active duty to veteran status and how these can sometimes lead to substance use, addiction, or mental health issues. Finally, she shares what inspired (and continues to inspire) her sense of service and offers advice to the next generation of addiction medicine specialists. Dr. DeRoo’s father was active-duty Navy when she was born on Midway Island in the South Pacific. A sense of service was branded in her character, and after earning a BA in psychology from Connecticut College, she joined the Navy and served for 24 years. She was selected for combat Naval Aviation and was among the first cohort of women to fly in combat. Dr. DeRoo was the first female in her community of the E2C Hawkeye, a carrier airborne early warning plane. (They have a short cameo in Top Gun, but you would not see Mav flying her plane.) After 8 years of aviation and over 40 combat missions, Dr. DeRoo was awarded a scholarship to attend medical school. After graduating from the University of Florida College of Medicine, she completed residency in OBGYN. She completed several missions, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and 5 deployments on the USNS Mercy performing surgeries in Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and she was the mission commander of a Papua, New Guinea mission. Dr. DeRoo became very aware of the alcohol and drugs that sailors and soldiers used on deployment (for various reasons). Her father was also one of these sailors who eventually developed alcohol use disorder. From his stories and the stories of her shipmates and battle buddies, she became very interested in the science of addiction. Her Commanding Officer at the time allowed her to moonlight at a nearby methadone clinic, which was the beginning of her career in addiction medicine. Dr. DeRoo later became board certified in addiction medicine and practiced both OBGYN and addiction medicine. She retired from the USN to Culpeper, VA, where she started the county’s first ever OBOT with their Community Services Board, started treating pregnant women with SUD, and incorporated this into a clinic in her town. Through aggressive naloxone distribution and OUD treatment, they were able to decrease their opioid overdose rate between 2016-2018. It was during this time Dr. DeRoo also became interested in the Virginia Chapter of ASAM. She served as secretary for two years, then president elect in 2020. The only thing that drew her away from serving as president in 2020 was a job opportunity that, to her, was a calling. She was asked to be the medical director of the Betty Ford Center and all California sites. She made dramatic changes there and was promoted to chief medical officer of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and their 16 sites across the US. During this time, she also earned an MBA from the University of Virginia and became a Distinguished Fellow of ASAM.   Virginia Society of Addiction Medicine (VASAM) American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Distinguished Fellows of ASAM (DFASAM) 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.

Lipi Roy, MD, MPH, FASAM, shares what piqued her interest in the field of addiction medicine and how she expanded her work into media outreach and appearances. Dr. Roy talks about creating her YouTube channel, Health, Humor, and Harmony, how she started her company, SITA MED, and what it takes to prepare for a media appearance. She describes her experience as chief of addiction medicine at Rikers Island Correctional Facility in New York and discusses why she feels so compelled to speak about the issues of stigma and loneliness and how they intersect. Finally, Dr. Roy offers advice for the next generation of addiction medicine providers. Dr. Roy is a physician, international speaker, media personality, entrepreneur, and host of the YouTube series, Health, Humor and Harmony. In July 2023, she founded SITA MED, a health speaking company addressing stress-related conditions such as addiction and anxiety, and has trained doctors, judges, journalists, executives, and beyond. Dr. Roy served on the frontlines of the pandemic as the medical director of COVID Isolation and Quarantine Sites for Housing Works in New York City. She also treated patients with opioid use disorder at a harm reduction clinic in the Bronx while working at multiple COVID vaccination sites. As an MSNBC and NBC medical contributor, Dr. Roy made over 350 live television appearances discussing COVID-19. Dr. Roy’s work spans academia, clinical medicine, homeless health, social and criminal justice, public speaking, media and entertainment. As the former chief of addiction medicine for Rikers Island, Dr. Roy oversaw substance use treatment and recovery services at the nation’s 2nd-largest jail complex. Dr. Roy also sees patients at Greenwich House Center for Healing and serves as clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health. Previously, Dr. Roy served as a primary care doctor to Boston's homeless population among whom the leading cause of death was drug overdose. She also served as an attending physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and as faculty at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Roy completed her medical and master’s in public health degrees at Tulane University, followed by residency training in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Roy’s mission is to educate and empower the public to make healthy decisions. As a Forbes contributor who has interviewed medical experts such as Dr. Peter Hotez and celebrities such as Mary J. Blige and Ice-T, Dr. Roy is one of the world’s trusted experts in health communication. She has appeared on multiple media outlets including CNN, The Tamron Hall Show, CBS New York and PIX11, and has been featured in The New York Times, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, Cooking Light, Oprah.com, and many others.   Health, Humor, and Harmony SITA MED Articles as Forbes contributor On social media at Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok   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.

Petros Levounis, MD, MA, DFASAM, talks with our host, Zach, about why he chose to practice addiction medicine, including an impactful experience at the Betty Ford Center (now Hazelden Betty Ford) as a medical student. He shares his thoughts regarding stigma and his extensive writing about addiction. Dr. Levounis speaks about how his fields of study and interest (including sociology, medicine, mental health, and addiction) intersect and the ways treatment can be both unique to the individual and similar. He shares what motivates him to treat addiction every day and where he sees the field moving in the future. Dr. Levounis offers advice for those who may have a loved one with addiction and to the next generation of addiction providers. Dr. Levounis serves as professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and associate dean at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is also the chief of service at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, director of the Northern New Jersey Medication Assisted Treatment Center of Excellence, and immediate past president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Dr. Levounis came to Rutgers from Columbia University where he served as director of the Addiction Institute of New York from 2002 to 2013. Dr. Levounis is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University where he studied chemistry and biophysics before receiving his medical education at Stanford University School of Medicine and the Medical College of Pennsylvania. During medical school, he researched the effects of social class on patient-physician relationships in Oxford, England, and received an MA degree in sociology from Stanford. In 1994, he moved to New York City to train in psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute of Columbia University. He graduated from Columbia earning the National Institute of Mental Health Outstanding Resident Award and went on to complete his fellowship in addiction psychiatry at New York University. Dr. Levounis has written numerous articles, monographs, and book chapters; has lectured extensively on addiction topics throughout the United States and abroad; and has been interviewed by CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, FOX, The Martha Stewart Radio Show, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, among others. Dr. Levounis has served on the boards of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the American Board of Addiction Medicine, and from 2005 to 2009 chaired the national Committee on Addiction Treatment of the APA. Dr. Levounis is a Betty Ford Scholar, a recipient of the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists’ Distinguished Service Award and the ASAM Educator of the Year Award, and a distinguished fellow of the APA and ASAM. In 2017, he was elected as an honorary member of the World Psychiatric Association. He is the 2024 recipient of The John P. McGovern Award on Addiction and Society, from ASAM. Dr. Levounis has published fourteen books including the self-help paperback Sober Siblings: How to Help Your Alcoholic Brother or Sister—and Not Lose Yourself; the textbook of Substance Dependence and Co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders; Motivational Interviewing for Clinical Practice; The Behavioral Addictions; Becoming Mindful; LGBTQ Mental Health: The Spectrum of Gender and Sexuality; Office-Based Buprenorphine Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder, now in its second edition; and Technological Addictions. Dr. Levounis is currently working on the first textbook of Nature Therapy, which is going to be available in the fall of 2024. His books have been translated into French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. Dr. Levounis is married to actor Lukas Hassel and lives in New York City.   Links: American Psychiatric Association (APA) 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 informa

Marianne Fingerhood, DNP, ANP-BC, joins us to share her journey into the field of addiction medicine and discuss the importance of providing medication treatment for addiction within a primary care setting. She talks about the essential role nurse practitioners (NPs) play in treating addiction, how crucial it is for NPs to have proper support, and the benefits of a professional community. Marianne touches on the dynamics of having a husband, Dr. Michael Fingerhood, who also treats addiction. She describes the unique ways nurses can combat stigma related to addiction and shares about the Words Matter Pledge initiative within the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Marianne also emphasizes the significance of resilience as a provider and offers words of wisdom to future NPs and addiction medicine practitioners. Dr. Marianne Fingerhood has been a nurse since 1985, a nursing educator since 1990, and a nurse practitioner in primary care since 1999. In all settings, she has brought a passion for sharing knowledge, whether with patients, students, or colleagues. In her clinician role, she is the champion for expanding access to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) in the primary care setting. As the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program director at Johns Hopkins University, she created a curriculum related to compassionate treatment of chronic pain, safe opioid prescribing, and recognition and treatment of SUD. She directs the Supporting Nursing Advanced Practice Transitions (SNAPT) Fellowship for nurse practitioners entering practice post-graduation. Her fellows work in community-based practices and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) where they care for patients with opioid use disorder.   Links Johns Hopkins School of Nursing DNP: Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program Supporting Nursing Advanced Practice Transitions (SNAPT) Fellowship Johns Hopkins Medicine - The Words Matter Pledge Dr. Michael Fingerhood podcast episode   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, Geri-Lynn Utter, PsyD, shares her personal journey from growing up as a child of parents who struggled with addiction to becoming a clinical psychologist and author. She discusses her documentary, Utter Nonsense, her books, Mainlining Philly and Aftershock, and her podcast, Mind Over Mayhem. Dr. Utter offers insights on addiction, harm reduction, and her experiences in Philadelphia; addresses stigma around addiction; and offers advice for the next generation of mental health professionals and those who may have a loved one with 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 substance 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 that of a few others to educate viewers about 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: Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, PsyD Utter Nonsense Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope, and Resisting Drug Addiction Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today Mind Over Mayhem   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, Jason Kirby, DO, MBA, FASAM, shares what led him to the field of addiction medicine and describes a particular turning point in his career path. Dr. Kirby discusses the importance of individualized treatment, the similarities between fitness and recovery communities, and how his interest in human behavior influenced his career journey. He stresses the critical importance of self-care among physicians and other care providers, the benefits of physician health programs, and addressing the four facets of well-being. Dr. Kirby shares his thoughts about the stigma associated with addiction and the critical role education plays in reducing stigma and promoting recovery. He discusses his efforts as president of the Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TnSAM) to address stigma and other issues and shares his primary goals in this leadership role. Dr. Kirby highlights some impactful moments during his career and offers advice for the next generation of addiction medicine providers. Dr. Jason Kirby serves as the chief medical officer for Landmark Recovery and Praxis by Landmark Recovery and is currently the president of TnSAM. He is an expert in population health policy, healthcare economics, and human behavior and is dual board-certified in addiction medicine and family medicine. He received his medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and his MBA from Point Park University. Dr. Kirby also is a fellow and leader of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), having served or currently serving on its Finance, ASAM Criteria Strategy Steering, Annual Conference Program Planning, and Levels of Care Certification Oversight Committees. Recently, he co-authored the withdrawal management chapter for The ASAM Criteria, 4th Edition. He previously served as medical director of addiction and recovery services at St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany, NY, and practiced at St. Peter’s Hospital as their chief of behavioral health. Prior to that, Dr. Kirby served as medical director for Gateway Rehabilitation Center and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Medical Management and Policy Division. Originally from West Virginia, Dr. Kirby is also an avid woodworker, competitive CrossFitter, husband, and father to three amazing little boys. Links: Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TnSAM) American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) The ASAM Criteria, 4th Edition Find your State Physician Health program CrossFit   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not along. 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 powerful episode, ASAM’s 2024 Training Directors Award recipient Dr. Scott Teitelbaum shares his own journey with addiction and recovery. He discusses the importance of compassionate care, addresses stigma around addiction, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing addiction as an illness while also acknowledging the often hurtful behavior associated with it. Dr. Teitelbaum talks about the critical need for early training on addiction, reflects on his life’s journey thus far, and offers advice to the next generation of addiction care team members. Dr. Teitelbaum, MD, FAAP, ABPM-ADM, DFASAM, is the Pottash Professor in Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the University of Florida’s (UF) College of Medicine, where he serves as vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry, chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine, medical director of the UF Health Florida Recovery Center, and former fellowship director of UF’s American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) – Addiction Medicine Fellowship. Originally trained as a board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Teitelbaum later completed fellowships in addiction medicine and child psychiatry at UF. He became medical director of the Florida Recovery Center in 2002, and since then has been involved in the evaluation and/or treatment of more than 5,000 health care providers and other professionals from across the country. Dr. Teitelbaum developed one of the first-ever accredited fellowships in addiction medicine, and his program has trained more addiction medicine fellows than any other program nationwide. In 2016, Dr. Teitelbaum was awarded the Pottash Endowment, allowing for the creation of a research initiative that is focused on addiction medicine and the fight toward recovery. He has been honored on multiple occasions with the Exemplary Teacher Award for his guidance of medical students. In addition to receiving ASAM’s 2024 Training Directors Award, Dr. Teitelbaum also received ASAM’s Annual Award in 2018.   Links: UF College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 2024 ASAM Award Recipients Nicole Labor Treat Addiction Save Lives podcast episode   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. James Baker, MD, MPH, describes his experience with addiction both as an emergency physician and as a father who lost his son, Macky, to an opioid overdose. Sharing Macky’s story throughout, Dr. Baker emphasizes the evolution of his own feelings toward those who suffer from addiction, from anger to gentle compassion, and shares what inspired him to write This Monstrous Obsession: Hard Lessons Learned About Addiction. Dr. Baker describes his experiences helping Macky access treatment and talks about the importance of medical training regarding addiction and the relationship between pain and overdose and death from opioids. Dr. Baker addresses the stigma surrounding addiction and shares his thoughts on the current and future state of the field of addiction medicine. He also offers advice for those who are or may be entering the field. Dr. Baker is president of the Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine (MASAM), physician expert for the Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain (MCSTAP), associate medical director of Merrimack Valley Hospice, and assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.   Links: James Baker This Monstrous Obsession Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain (MCSTAP) This Mass. Doctor hopes his son’s addiction story can help others   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, 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.