High Truths on Drugs and Addiction

Ben Cort Ben’s passion for recovery, prevention and harm reduction comes from his own struggle with substance abuse. Sober since 6/15/96, Ben has been a part of the recovery movement in almost every way imaginable; from a recipient to a provider to a spokesperson. Cort has a deep understanding of the issues and a personal motivation to see the harmful effects of drug and alcohol abuse minimized. F...

Dr. Lewis Nelson myth busts alleged fentanyl overdose cases in passive handlers. He explains the nocebo effect, opposite the placebo effect. It is true that 2 grains of fentanyl can kill, but it have to be 2 grain of pure fentanyl and it has to be consumed. Touching fentanyl does not kill - people who deal drugs as well as healthcare workers touch fentanyl regularly and do not overdose. "Dose make...

Can the public health solution to drug overdoses follow the public health model for COVID?Can we do contact tracing for overdoses like we do for infectious diseases? Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director say yes. Dr. Tom Frieden is a physician trained in internal medicine, infectious diseases, public health, and epidemiology. He is former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventio...

Dr. Di Forte is world renowned expert in cannabis induced psychosis research and risk factors for schizophrenia. Dr Marta Di Forti is a Clinical Reader in Psychosis Research at the Dept of Social, Developmental and Genetic Research, Institute of Psychiatry, and Honorary Consultant Adult Psychiatrist, Lambeth EI Community team, South London and Maudsley NHS foundation Trust. She leads the first Can...

What's the overlap in mental health and marijuana? Congressman Patrick Kennedy notes that Addiction for Profit Industry in Preying on Vulnerable populations including children. Former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which requires insurers t...

Preventing youth from using marijuana is key in preventing drug addiction and psychosis. Laura Stack has practical and life saving advice for parents and those interested in drug prevention. Do you have a code word with your kids? The code means come get me wherever I am, no questions asked. Laura Stack is Johnny Stack’s mom and the Founder & CEO of Johnny’s Ambassadors . In the business world...

Cannabis use is associated with alarming increase in mental health crisis, especially in youth. High potency THC products are the driving this problem. Dr. Levy sees this in her clinic treating kids with cannabis use disorder. Sharon Levy, MD, MPH Sharon Levy, MD, MPH is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, Addiction Medicine specialist, Director of the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction P...

Peer  support is a blessing for many individuals with substance use disorder. Listen to Dominique's inspiring journey and how he gives back to the community in San Francisco. Dominique McDowell Mr. McDowell joined the leadership team to create an innovative Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to serve those struggling with opioid or alcohol addictions and also Contingency Management Progra...

Collaboration yields better results. Breaking silos between public heath and public safety while integrating prevention is key in decrease addiction and the harms from drugs. San Diego CReDO Task Force , Community Response to Drug Overdose is an example of such collaboration Drs. Close and Grover have similar solutions in Monetary, California. Reb Close, MD Dr. Close is an Attending Emergency Phys...

Thank you High Truth Listeners for making High Truths on Drugs and Addiction #11 in the Top 60 Addiction Podcasts in 2022 according to FeedSpot . What are ways of treating addiction without medications? Is addiction treatment different for men vs women? What is toxic masculinity? Marc Azoulay Marc is a psychotherapist in private practice in Boulder, CO and the past President of the Four Corners Gr...

Cannabis can Weed-Whack your DNA. Genotoxicity describes the property of chemical agents that damages genetic information or causes mutations. These mutations can lead to cancer. Listen to Dr. Reece talk about his genetic research. Thank you High Truth Listeners for making us #11 in 60 Best Addiction Podcast to Follow in 2022 Stuart Reece, MD Dr. Stuart Reece is a family physician working in Brisb...

Drug Cartels vs Criminal Organizations - who is responsible for fentanyl flooding and killing Americans? Join Luis Chaparro, investigative journalist for an inside scoop of drug labs in Mexico. Luis Chaparro Luis Chaparro is a freelance journalist working at the border between Texas and Mexico. He specializes in investigative journalism in Latin America criminal organizations, drugs and immigratio...

Marijuana use is common, normalized and even glamorized. How do we protect our youth and the growing brain from harm? Aaron Weiner, PhD, ABPP Aaron Weiner is a board-certified Psychologist and addiction specialist, and speaks nationally on the topics of addiction, behavioral health, and the impact of drug policy on public health.   He earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-...

The cannabis industry is marketing to women with creams, lotions, shampoos, makeup and hair products. How do you know what is safe and what isn't? What are the consumer protections? What about athletes? Does THC enhance or deter from athletic performance? Is it ergogenic or ergolytic? Listen to Dr. Lev's conversation with Dr. Bader. Dr. La Tisha Bader Dr. Bader has worked in the field of mental he...

Can Public Health and Public Safety overcome suspicion of each other and create a partnership to prevent overdoses? Follow the North Star is the key such partnerships according to Chauncey Parker. Learn about the ONDCP - CDC Overdose Response Strategy . Chauncey Parker Chauncey Parker is the Director of the New York/New Jersey HIDTA , a federally-funded program that invests in federal, state and l...

Is you had Glaucoma, a disease that can make you blind, would you trust eye drops from a pharmacy or marijuana? Would you want to get medical advise from Dr. Google, Dr. Legislator or Dr. Jean Hausheer, a board certified ophthalmologist?   Jean R. Hausheer, MD, FACS Dr. Hausheer practices comprehensive cataract and refractive eye care in Lawton Oklahoma with a predominantly native American, milita...

What is the difference between recovery and sobriety? Have many chances should people get for recovery - 2? 3? 27? Listen to Dr. Lev and Kevin Lee discuss recovery. Kevin D. Lee Most of Kevin Lee’s working life has been focused on behavioral health start-ups and those companies have been driven to achieve better outcomes than other providers. During the last 30 years he has founded or co-founded s...

  Brian Hurley, MD, MBA, DFASAM is an addiction physician and the Medical Director of the Division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control in the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. He is the President-Elect of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and gives presentations around the world regarding addiction medicine. He co-chairs the SafeMedLA Medications for Addiction Treatmen...

When Colorado voted to legalize marijuana, did they also mean to legalize high potency THC products that acts more like methamphetamine than marijuana? Listen to Dawn Reinfeld the woman behind Colorado cannabis reform legislation adding consumer protection from the new engineered products. Dawn Reinfeld Dawn Reinfeld is the co-founder and Executive Director of Blue Rising and Blue Rising Together...

Do we still have a war on drugs? Listen to a conversation with Former DEA director, Uttam Dhillon. Uttam Dhillon is a principal of Michael Best Consulting LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in drug-related and law enforcement issues.  He is also a member of the board of directors of Opioid Clinical Management, Inc. and a member of the board of advisors of DisposeRx, Inc., and Gatekeepe...

Psychosis.  A Night In Jail is inspired by Heidi's brother's true life story of homelessness, drug addiction, and schizophrenia. He went to jail 18 times. Heidi talks with Dr. Lev about psychosis. Heidi Anderson-Swan is the co-author of A Night In Jail . Adapted as a novella, film and play, this gritty Young Adult fictional story is the first to illustrates Cannabis - Induced Psychosis (a diagnosi...

Take off the "Beer Goggles" when thinking about Drugged Driving. Driving while impaired is illegal whether it is from alcohol or any other drugs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration drug use among fatally injured drivers who were tested fro drugs rose fro 25% in 2007 to 42% in 2016, and marijuana presence doubled in that time frame. Marijuana users were about 25% more l...

High potency THC is associated with psychosis and schizophrenia. Why are we not following the science? Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Stuyt, MD Dr. Stuyt is a board-certified Addiction Psychiatrist and has worked in the addiction/behavioral health field since 1990. She was the Medical Director for the Circle Program, a 90-day inpatient treatment program, funded by the state of Colorado, for persons with co-occ...

What is the relationship of cannabis/ marijuana with psychosis and schizophrenia? Learn from the father of schizophrenia research, Professor Sir Robin Murray. Sir Robin Murray, FMedSci FRS Professor Sir Robin Murray is a Professor of Psychiatric Research at the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP), King’s College London and a Fellow of the Royal Society. He is ranked as one of the most influential resear...

Rachel L. Levine, M.D. Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service Assistant Secretary for Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services   Admiral Rachel L. Levine serves as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She fights every day to improve the health and well-being of a...