The Treat Addiction Save Lives Podcast

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. Flo...

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 somet...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 addictio...

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...

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 trainin...

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 Addi...

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 s...

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 ...

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 addic...

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 clinici...

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...

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 (s...

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 addi...

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 medi...