The Therapist Thrival Guide 80. Intro to Addiction (& Preventing Addiction Issues in Adolescents) for Therapists
In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, Dr. Sara Polley, Ellie's Chief Medical Officer and a psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine, talks about the complexities of addiction.
We're discussing key topics like when to refer clients for specialized addiction treatment, evidence-based treatments, the role of family in prevention and recovery, medicated assisted treatment, and co-occurring disorders.
Dr. Polley emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma around addiction and the need for more comprehensive training for mental health professionals in substance use disorders.
Stay tuned for an in-depth discussion in the next episode on motivational interviewing as a therapeutic approach!
OUR HOST:
Miranda Barker, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for several years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, case manager, and the Director of Brand Content at Ellie Mental Health. Follow her on LinkedIn.
The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.
Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and has expanded to an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021.
Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to the Therapist Thrival Guide00:17 Meet Dr. Sarah Polley: Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist00:53 Diving into Addiction01:52 Dr. Polley's Journey: From Medical School to Addiction Medicine04:52 Understanding Addiction as a Pediatric Onset Illness07:41 Prevention Strategies: Starting Before Birth13:08 Navigating Substance Use in Therapy19:00 Substance Use Disorder Assessments and Treatment Levels25:05 Forced Treatment: Legal and Ethical Considerations27:30 Evidence-Based Treatments for Addiction29:57 Therapeutic Techniques for Substance Use31:55 Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders40:14 Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)45:47 Suboxone and Methadone Explained50:45 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview