Addiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addiction

A physician-mom sits across from us and tells the truth: she loved a good, kind man whose alcoholism, fueled by unhealed PTSD, dismantled their family one crisis at a time. From quiet home drinking to ER runs, withdrawal hallucinations, and an ICU ventilator, her story captures the clinical realities of alcohol use disorder and the human cost families carry in silence. She walks through safety plans for her kids, a neighbor’s garage that became a refuge, and a courthouse morning where getting a restraining order had to look “normal” so the children wouldn’t panic.We dig into the mechanics of stigma—how judgment from colleagues, self-stigma as a physician, and the fear of losing a job keep people quiet. We talk person-first language, trauma-informed care, and the practical wisdom of respond, don’t react. She shares the hard boundary every caregiver eventually faces: sobriety can’t matter more to you than to the person using. Along the way, community shows up in surprising forms: a packed church, meals left at the door, volunteers finishing a half-built treehouse, hikes that reopen space to breathe, and faith that survives anger and doubt.You’ll hear concrete takeaways for supporting loved ones with alcohol addiction: naming the disease without shaming the person, building child-first safety plans, seeking counseling that treats PTSD and substance use together, and finding support that fits your life when formal groups aren’t possible. Above all, you’ll hear hope—gritty, ordinary, persistent. If you’re carrying a similar weight, you are not alone. Listen, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more families find real support. Subscribe for more conversations that put compassion, science, and action at the center of addiction care.

What 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 the bargaining phase—“only on weekends,” “just beer,” “no more pills”—to serve as useful data rather than defeat. You’ll hear how to accelerate learning without triggering defensiveness, why a 30-day trial of sobriety is a powerful reality check, and how to prepare resources so you can act quickly when the “I’m ready” moment arrives. We also dive into separate-counselor models that lower conflict, how to align change with a person’s values and strengths, and the role of humor and respect in keeping people engaged.We don’t ignore medical realities. From treating insomnia, anxiety, and depression in early recovery to using long-acting buprenorphine injections for opioid use disorder, we explore low-barrier tools that improve safety and adherence—especially vital in the fentanyl era. The goal isn’t to force a path; it’s to create conditions where the next right step feels easier than the last wrong one.If you’re a parent, partner, or clinician looking for strategies that work in the real world, this conversation offers concrete scripts, mindset shifts, and timing cues you can use today. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest insight—what’s one change you’ll make in your next hard conversation?To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com

The 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 now—tobacco and THC vapes far more than alcohol—why post-legalization supply is spilling into schools, and how educators investigate under strict limits that require reasonable suspicion. Leland shares the red flags he watches for, like sudden changes in demeanor and unlikely new friend pairings, and explains why middle school is the leverage point where beliefs are forming and choices stick. We compare big assemblies that grab attention with smaller class sessions that build trust and invite tough questions, and we talk about how students quietly use anonymous tip lines to help friends despite a “no snitching” culture.Parents are crucial, but time-starved. We discuss ways to reach them—tabling at concerts and back-to-school nights, short videos and podcasts they can catch between chores, and direct guidance on home limits that reinforce school expectations. Partnerships matter: local nonprofits providing on-campus support, health educators updating staff on evolving devices, and police following up when adult sellers target kids. The throughline is simple and strong: clear rules, credible facts, and rapid support change outcomes.If you care about safer schools, smarter prevention, and giving adolescents real choices, you’ll find tactics you can use tomorrow—whether you’re an educator, parent, or community partner. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help this podcast continue to grow. Your feedback helps us reach more schools and families.To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com

The 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 require age‑aware interpretation, what “code cannabis” looks like in the ER when edibles or high‑THC products masquerade as stroke, and how subtle red flags—poor sleep, irritability, shakiness, forgetfulness, falls—signal a brewing problem. We get practical about safer detox for older adults, the reality of kindling with alcohol withdrawal, and the medication decisions that matter: when to taper sedatives, how to avoid dangerous interactions, and why nutrition and B‑vitamins can’t be an afterthought. Two real-world cases ground the lessons—titrating decades‑long benzodiazepine and Z‑drug use while reducing fall risk, and using naltrexone strategically for late‑onset alcohol use without tipping a patient into instability.If you care for an older adult—or you are one—this conversation offers clear steps to lower risk and raise quality of life: rethink sleep meds, reduce alcohol use, check cannabis potency, simplify regimens, and choose therapy and support groups that fit your season of life. Subscribe, share this with a friend or colleague, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep building smart, stigma‑free care for older adults.To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com

Dr. Mark Vierra, a seasoned bariatric surgeon, dives into the complexities of food addiction and the biology of obesity. He explains how weight-loss surgery alters hormones affecting appetite and improves metabolic health. Vierra shares insights on why many referrals don't lead to surgery and emphasizes understanding individual patient challenges. The conversation also addresses the increased risk of alcohol use disorder post-surgery and the importance of screening motives for drinking. A respectful approach to each patient's biology and story is at the heart of his practice.

Delve into the ancient brain's wiring and how it collides with modern dopamine traps like social media and processed foods. Discover the significant roles of genetics and childhood trauma in addiction vulnerability. Learn how mental health issues intertwine with substance use, amplifying the challenge of recovery. The discussion illuminates why teen brains are particularly at risk and offers practical tips for navigating stress without substances. A real-life case study showcases the complexities of diagnosis and the importance of addressing trauma in addiction treatment.

A 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 down the risk gradient inside the kratom category: natural leaf with fiber and mixed pharmacology, concentrated extracts that raise potency, and seven‑hydroxymitragynine products that function like a novel opioid. Matthew explains why the FDA’s percentage‑based scheduling of 7‑OH is a smart, surgical fix that preserves traditional use while ejecting synthetic opioids from the “supplement” aisle. We also tackle hemp’s loophole economy—Delta‑8 and Delta‑10 THC derived from hemp yet delivering marijuana‑like effects with far less oversight—plus contamination, cross‑stocking, and the handful of distributors fueling multiple “legal high” trends at once.Beyond policy, we talk people. When regulators finally pull a dangerous product, dependent users are often left stranded. We outline a practical path: better labeling that discloses opioid activity and dependence risk, age gates, potency caps, and targeted enforcement against unapproved drugs sold as supplements. Just as crucial, clinicians need straightforward guidance to assess what patients took, why they took it, and how to transition them to safer, evidence‑based care without stigma.Curious how these products keep showing up, what “novel synthetic opioid” really means, and how we can protect choice where risk is low while acting decisively where harm is high? Press play, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review with the one reform you think would make the biggest difference. If this helped you learn something new, subscribe so you never miss an update.To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com

Discover the unique world of Addiction Medicine, where compassion meets clinical care. The discussion reveals how treatments focus not only on substance use but also on underlying issues like PTSD and ADHD. Learn about low-barrier access via walk-ins and telemedicine, enhancing patient engagement through peer support, and the vital integration of medication with therapy. Real-life cases illustrate the importance of dual diagnosis and tailored treatment plans. Join in to understand how kindness, respect, and stigma reduction shape effective addiction care.

Dr. 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 addiction• Integration of life coaching principles into addiction treatment• Creating authentic connection as a cornerstone of effective recovery• Addressing stigma around medications in recovery communities and sober living facilities• The difference between dependence and addiction in patient educationIf you're a healthcare provider treating patients with addiction, thank you for your life-saving work. For everyone else, thank you for taking time to learn about addiction – it's a fight we cannot win without awareness and action.To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com

Mental 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 anxiety disorders including PTSD• Prazosin is effective for PTSD-related nightmares• Propranolol, clonidine, and gabapentin offer non-addictive options for anxiety management• ADHD is a major risk factor for developing substance use disorders• Non-stimulant options like Strattera, Qelbree, and Wellbutrin should be tried first for ADHD with comorbid addiction• Insomnia treatment options include trazodone, mirtazapine, quetiapine, and newer DORA medications• Ketamine therapy shows promise for treatment-resistant depression and suicidalityRemember, treating addiction saves lives.To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com