Shows
Addiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionHow to Build Emotional ResilienceStress doesn’t wait for a convenient moment, so why should resilience training wait for a crisis? We sit down with Coach Kay, a PhD serving first responders, ER teams, and other high‑stress professionals, to unpack a practical roadmap for emotional resilience you can actually use. We connect the dots between addiction, overwhelm, and the brain’s survival circuitry, then break down simple steps to recruit the prefrontal cortex, label emotions accurately, and respond with intention instead of impulse.You’ll hear a clear definition of emotional resilience as a learnable skill and a tour of the six...
2025-12-2246 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionHow to Help Someone With Addiction Who Isn't Ready to ChangeWhat if the fastest way to help a loved one stop using isn’t pushing harder but stepping out of the “villain” role? We sit down with master addiction counselor and YouTuber Amber Hollingsworth to unpack a practical, compassionate framework that actually moves people from resistance to readiness. Amber explains why policing, nagging, and ultimatums create the perfect distraction from change—and how strategic empathy, active listening, and credibility open the door to real motivation.We break the recovery process into simple, workable steps: stop being the bad guy, build trust by reflecting the person’s perspective, and allow...
2025-12-0850 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionA Principal’s Playbook For School Drug PreventionThe bell rings, the doors open, and the real work begins: keeping kids safe while the drug market slips into their phones and pockets. We sit down with Principal Leland Hansen to unpack the day-to-day reality of school-based prevention, from vape pens hidden in hoodies to Snapchat dealers who change handles as fast as administrators can warn parents. Leland lays out a candid, practical playbook that pairs firm boundaries with a health-first response, including a six-week on-campus program for first offenses that removes friction for families and actually gets used.We get specific about what’s showing up...
2025-12-0139 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionWhy Substance Use Looks Different After 65The most dangerous phrase in senior health might be “I’ve always handled it fine.” We dive into how aging reshapes the risks of alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, nicotine, and today’s ultra‑potent cannabis—and why familiar habits can turn hazardous after 65. Drawing on frontline cases and recent research, we unpack the baby boomer lived experience, from “mother’s little helper” to daily cocktail hours in senior communities, then connect it to the biology of aging: slower metabolism, reduced kidney and liver function, impaired balance, and sharper sensitivity to side effects.You’ll hear why DSM‑5 criteria still apply but requir...
2025-11-2435 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionA Bariatric Surgeon Schools Me On Food Addiction and Weight Loss SurgeryFood isn’t just fuel and obesity isn’t just willpower. We sat down with bariatric surgeon Dr. Mark Vierra to unpack what weight-loss surgery really changes, why genetics and hormones can overpower the best intentions, and how a careful program decides who needs a scalpel and who needs a different plan. From GLP‑1 surges and ghrelin drops to PYY’s “brake,” we walk through how surgery reshapes appetite signals and why even modest weight loss can dramatically improve diabetes and cardiovascular risk.The conversation goes beyond the operating room. Dr. Vierra explains why five of six referrals do...
2025-11-171h 08Addiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionThe Brain Science Behind AddictionYour brain is ancient, but your world is not. We unpack how a hunter-gatherer reward system runs into modern dopamine superstimuli—engineered foods, infinite feeds, one-click buys, and potent drugs—and why that mismatch can spiral into addiction. Using clear language and vivid examples, we explain cravings, compulsion, and consequences through the lens of dopamine: how normal rewards help us survive, how substances hijack that circuitry, and how constant notifications keep the throttle stuck open.We go deeper into the factors that raise or lower risk. Genetics account for roughly half of vulnerability and often determine a “drug o...
2025-11-1032 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionGas Station Heroin and the Loopholes Fueling “Legal Highs” In AmericaA brightly colored box at a smoke shop should not hit like an opioid, yet that’s the business model behind “gas station heroin.” We dive into how tianeptine—a foreign antidepressant with mu‑opioid activity—landed on American countertops as a “dietary supplement,” and why that mirrors a broader playbook: repackage potent psychoactives, exploit loopholes, pivot fast when bans arrive, and let consumers pay the price. Joined by Matthew Lowe, executive director of the Global Kratom Coalition, we trace the supply chain from warehouses to wallets and separate leaf kratom from the synthetic isolates hijacking its name.We break dow...
2025-11-0352 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionWhat It’s Really Like To Practice Addiction MedicineHave you ever wondered what it's like to practice Addiction Medicine? In this episode I speak about what we do in Addiction Medicine - both generally as well as how we do things in our practice on the Central Coast of California. I share how our clinic treats substance use with low‑barrier access, kind care, peer support, and long‑acting injectables while partnering with therapists to address trauma and ADHD that often drive relapse. I also review two cases that reveal how PTSD and undiagnosed ADHD change the treatment plan and the outcome.Topi...
2025-10-2734 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionBusting Myths, Building Trust: Communicating with PatientsDr. Casey Grover welcomes Dr. Sarah Nasir, an addiction medicine specialist, for an insightful conversation about effectively communicating with patients and addressing common myths in addiction treatment.• Personal journeys into addiction medicine that transformed both doctors' understanding of substance use disorders• The science behind medication-assisted treatment and why it's not "trading one addiction for another"• How the body adapts to chronic opioid use through three key mechanisms: reducing natural chemicals, decreasing receptors, and increasing metabolism• Why recovery takes time: "It's easier to break something than to fix it"• The critical connection between trauma, PTSD, and...
2025-10-2049 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionDual Diagnosis: Why Treating One Without the Other Never WorksMental health conditions and addiction are deeply intertwined, creating complex treatment challenges that require addressing both simultaneously. Dr. Mark Hrymoc, an addiction psychiatrist, shares insights on effectively treating dual diagnosis patients through parallel treatment plans that address both substance use and underlying mental health conditions.• Dual diagnosis (co-occurring disorders) describes patients with both mental health conditions and substance use disorders• Many patients use substances to self-medicate underlying mental health conditions rather than for euphoria• 50-80% of patients with addiction also have PTSD or significant trauma histories• SSRIs like Zoloft and Lexapro are first-line treatments for anxi...
2025-10-1347 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionWeight Loss Surgery Doesn't Treat Food AddictionDr. Casey Grover shares his personal struggle with food addiction and binge eating while exploring the science behind why certain foods trigger addictive behaviors in the brain. He examines how the food industry deliberately engineers products to maximize pleasure and consumption through carefully calibrated combinations of sugar, fat, and salt.• Food addiction involves an intense dopamine response to certain foods that varies between individuals based on genetic predisposition• The food industry uses "bliss point" science to make products as addictive as possible• Ultra-processed foods make up over half the average American diet despite increasing risks of var...
2025-10-0630 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionStigma 4: When Heroes Need HelpThis episode is the fourth and final episode of a four part series on stigma.This episode is done in collaboration with Central Coast Overdose Prevention (CCODP) and was made possible by California Overdose Prevention Network Accelerator funding from the Public Health Institute's Center for Health Leadership and Impact.First responders face unique mental health challenges due to the high-stress nature of their work, but stigma often prevents them from seeking help when they're struggling. Dr. Casey Grover, firefighter/paramedic Jesse, and firefighter/paremedic Evan discuss the psychological toll of being the ones who save...
2025-09-2944 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionStigma 3: Mom vs. Addiction - The battle she never signed up forThis episode is the third episode of a four part series on stigma.This episode is done in collaboration with Central Coast Overdose Prevention (CCODP) and was made possible by California Overdose Prevention Network Accelerator funding from the Public Health Institute's Center for Health Leadership and Impact.In this episode, Wendy Solorio shares her raw, emotional journey as a mother supporting her daughter Gabrielle through addiction and into recovery, highlighting the often-overlooked impact on families and caregivers.• First recognizing her daughter's addiction during high school while dealing with guilt and shame as a pa...
2025-09-2243 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionStigma 2: Stigma Hurts, Compassion HealsThis episode is the second episode of a four part series on stigma.This episode is done in collaboration with Central Coast Overdose Prevention (CCODP) and was made possible by California Overdose Prevention Network Accelerator funding from the Public Health Institute's Center for Health Leadership and Impact.In this episode, Gabrielle shares her powerful journey from fentanyl addiction to recovery, highlighting the unexpected moment of compassion from a correctional officer that changed everything. Her story reveals how respect and dignity can transform recovery outcomes, while exploring the deep impact of self-stigma and family support.
2025-09-1543 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionStigma 1: The Other Side of Addiction - Finding Light After DarknessThis episode is the first episode of a four part series on stigma.This episode is done in collaboration with Central Coast Overdose Prevention (CCODP) and was made possible by California Overdose Prevention Network Accelerator funding from the Public Health Institute's Center for Health Leadership and Impact.In this episode, Ana Alamo shares her powerful journey from addiction to recovery, revealing how her personal struggles now help her connect with clients as a peer support specialist.• Born and raised in Salinas, Anna experienced childhood trauma at age five that shaped her early years
2025-09-0834 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionBenzodiazepines - Pills That Sedate but Don't RehabilitateDr. Casey Grover explores the challenging world of benzodiazepines, explaining why these commonly prescribed medications can create more problems than they solve for patients struggling with anxiety and other conditions.• Benzodiazepines work like alcohol in pill form, enhancing the brain's natural "downer" chemical GABA• Long-term use leads to tolerance, dependence, and potentially Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND)• The four most commonly prescribed benzos are diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and alprazolam (Xanax)• Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause seizures months after the last dose, making it particularly dangerous• Unlike opioid addiction, there are no specialized medication...
2025-09-0134 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionWhen your brain can't let go: Understanding the PTSD-addiction connectionThis is a joint episode between the Addiction Medicine Made Easy Podcast and the Kratom Sobriety PodcastCheck out the Kratom Sobriety Podcast: https://kratomsobriety.com/Trauma and addiction are deeply intertwined, with unresolved PTSD often driving substance use as people attempt to manage overwhelming emotions and physical sensations.• Understanding PTSD beyond combat veterans—recognizing both "big T" traumas and accumulated "little t" stressors• Dr. Grover shares his personal journey with PTSD from emergency medicine and the stigma he faced• The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale reveals how early trauma predicts addiction...
2025-08-251h 11Addiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionMedical Literature Matters: How Addiction Professionals Keep LearningWe discuss practical strategies for staying up-to-date with addiction medicine research in this collaborative episode between Addiction Medicine Made Easy and the Addiction Medicine Journal Club podcast.• Featuring a four-person roundtable with Dr. Casey Grover, Dr. John Keenan, Dr. Sonia Del Tredici, and Thomas Bannard• Understanding why evidence-based medicine matters in addiction care• Incorporating lived experience into addiction education and combating stigma• Developing personalized approaches to staying current with medical literature• Various learning strategies from reading journals to podcasts to collaborative discussions• Finding your motivation for continuing education in addiction medicine• Strategies for...
2025-08-1842 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionMeet Your Inner Mentor (Your Inner Critic Already Knows You) - Anonymous Drama TherapyMark MacNichol, a playwright and charity director, shares how his therapeutic approach called Anonymous Drama helps people in recovery and the justice system process trauma and develop emotional wellbeing by viewing their inner thoughts as characters in a play.• Anonymous Drama is not traditional theater but uses dramatic techniques for therapeutic purposes• The program helps participants identify characters in their life story, such as the protagonist, the inner critic, and the inner mentor• Anonymity protocol allows people to explore trauma through fictional characters without revealing personal experiences• Participants learn to recognize the difference between their ne...
2025-08-1132 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionBreaking Barriers: Creating Patient-Friendly Addiction TreatmentDr. Amy Swift, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and addiction psychiatrist, shares insights on creating healthcare systems that better serve patients with addiction through reduced stigma, trauma-informed approaches, and greater accessibility. She brings a unique perspective as someone who oversees medical care while remaining deeply connected to patients' experiences, emphasizing the need to understand addiction as a brain disease rather than a moral failing.• Psychiatry and addiction have historically been separated, with mental health providers often telling patients to "get sober first"• Understanding executive functioning challenges in addiction helps create more flexible, accommodating healthcare systems• Stigma agains...
2025-08-0443 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionHow To Use Naloxone Like a Pro with Dr. Reb Close (Rebroadcast)Addiction medicine specialists Dr. Casey Grover and Dr. Reb Close share essential information about using naloxone (Narcan) to save lives during opioid overdoses. They discuss how naloxone administration differs between hospital settings and community response, emphasizing that having this medication readily available is crucial in today's world of fentanyl-contaminated street drugs.• Naloxone should be as normalized and common as fire extinguishers in homes and workplaces• In medical settings, naloxone can be carefully titrated to prevent precipitating severe withdrawal• In community settings, the protocol is simple: administer nasal naloxone, call 911, wait for help• Only 4% of naloxone...
2025-07-2829 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionKetamine: The Good, The Bad, and The UglyDr. Casey Grover explores the complexities of ketamine, examining its medical benefits, potential for addiction, and growing presence in both therapeutic and recreational settings.• Originally developed as a dissociative anesthetic for surgery that doesn't suppress breathing• Now recognized for treating treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation• Can reduce suicidal thoughts as quickly as 90 minutes after administration• Also effective for severe pain, alcohol withdrawal, and certain emergency situations• Recreational use has increased dramatically with seizures up 350% between 2017-2022• Creates a trance-like "K-hole" state that users seek for altered perception and relaxation• Long-term use can cause...
2025-07-2134 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionWhen Mental Health Meets Primary Care: Transforming Addiction TreatmentIn this episode, Dr. Casey Grover explores how integrating behavioral health and addiction services into primary care settings can transform healthcare delivery and dramatically improve access to treatment. Dr. Grover speaks to psychologists Patti Robinson and Jeff Reiter about their work creating integrated primary care practices and clinics. • Healthcare in the US is siloed, forcing patients to navigate separate systems for physical health, mental health, and addiction• Mental health specialization creates artificial barriers when generalist counselors could help many addiction patients• Integrated care places behavioral health providers in primary care settings with same-day, brief (15-30 min) ap...
2025-07-1446 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionTreating Opioid Withdrawal—With the Ear???Discover how stimulating specific points on the ear can dramatically reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms through an FDA-approved device called the ST Genesis. Shelley Halligan, President of Speranza Therapeutics, explains the science behind percutaneous nerve field stimulation and its remarkable effects on patients struggling with addiction.• The device works by targeting cranial nerves in the ear to activate the parasympathetic nervous system• Small electrical pulses delivered continuously for five days can significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms• Clinical applications include shortening the waiting period before starting Suboxone treatment• The technology may help prevent precipitated withdrawal, a major barrier...
2025-07-0742 minAddiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addictionA Deep Dive into Urine Drug TestingUrine drug testing provides critical insights for addiction treatment, helping clinicians understand what substances patients are actually using and how the drug supply is rapidly changing. Matthew Rutledge, founder of MD Labs, shares his expertise on testing methodologies, detection capabilities, and emerging trends in substance use.• Different drug test types include basic immunoassay cups (similar to pregnancy tests), which detect drug shapes but can have false positives/negatives• Liquid and Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry provides highly accurate substance identification down to nanogram levels• Developing tests for novel substances takes 2-4 months, requiring standards and valida...
2025-06-3043 min