The Addiction Psychologist

Dr. Cassandra Gipson-Reichardt, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, studies the alarming rise of xylazine in the illicit opioid market. She uncovers the shocking 1000% increase in xylazine-related overdoses and explains its dangerous interplay with fentanyl. Delving into community engagement, she emphasizes the importance of public health education and personalized treatment strategies. Dr. Gipson also discusses innovative research methods, advocating for better understanding and collaboration to combat the evolving addiction landscape.

Dr. Katie Witkiewitz discusses the history of relapse prevention and mindfulness-based relapse prevention. The podcast explores the impact of mindset on daily activities, the beauty of nourishing moments, and intentional decision-making. It delves into embracing suffering as part of life, understanding relapse risks in non-abstinence recovery, and the integration of mindfulness in addiction treatment.

Dr. Bill Miller, an expert in Motivational Interviewing, discusses the origins and key tenets of Motivational Interviewing. The podcast explores the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship and the significance of client language in addressing ambivalence. It also emphasizes the transformative effect of learning motivational interviewing and the key elements of partnership, acceptance, compassion, and empowerment in its practice. The speaker reflects on their desire for change and explores alternative ways to find balance and meaning. The application of Motivational Interviewing in addiction counseling and personal relationships is discussed, highlighting the importance of active listening.

Dr. Jeff Boissoneault discusses the intersection between chronic pain and substance use disorder, highlighting the need to prioritize measuring and treating pain. The podcast covers the impact of chronic pain on recovery goals, addiction stigma, and the effect of alcohol on pain. It also emphasizes the need for further research in the field and provides advice for trainees to have a successful career.

Dr. Stacey Daughters discusses reward processing in substance use disorders and the intersection with neuroscience and psychosocial treatments. She emphasizes the importance of individualized addiction treatment, substance-free rewards, and anticipatory motivation. The chapter also explores efficiency, progress, and individual goals in treatment, changing definitions of recovery, and advice for trainees and early career individuals in research.

Epidemiological surveys suggest that prevalence of harmful patterns of substance use is greatest among Multiracial populations relative to other racial demographic groups. Yet, most studies either do not report full racial demographics or under-sample people who identify as multiracial. In this episode, Tessa Nalven illuminates the importance of studying multiracial populations, discusses theoretical mechanisms for disparities, and provides recommendations for research with multiracial populations. Tessa Nalven is a currently finishing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Rhode Island. She is completing her clinical internship year at the Boston VA. Tessa was the recipient of the 2022 Division 50 DEI Student Recognition Award.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in methamphetamine use among people who use opioids. What is driving this effect? How do these drugs interact? Do they serve substitute or complementary functions? Dr. Justin Strickland summarizes the state of the science and outlines potential solutions. Dr. Strickland is a psychologist and assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. You can learn more about his work here.

During the past several decades, the United States has experienced several distinct waves of opioid epidemic, prompting those providing services to think of novel ways to provide services. to those in need. Dr. Rachel Winograd found her passion for community-based harm reduction services in St. Louis, a city ravaged by wave after wave of the opioid epidemic, and quickly found her place within a network of harm reductionists, community-based providers, and policy makers in Missouri with a common goal. In this episode, Dr. Winograd teaches us about the opioid epidemic and shares about the work she and her team has done to test and disseminate evidence-based harm reduction services in the greater St. Louis area. Dr. Winograd is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences and the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at the University of Missouri-St Louis. To learn more, please visit www.mimhaddisci.org.

For many, the onset of substance use occurs in adolescence. A subset of adolescents who use substances develop substance use disorders later in life, and some even develop harmful patterns of drinking while still in the developmental stage of adolescence. Why is substance use initiation likely in this age group, and what is the developmental function of substance use behavior? What are the interpersonal processes that influence substance use, and how do relationships with friends and family change during this critical developmental stage? Is it possible to leverage these interpersonal processes to bolster treatment initiation and success? Dr. Sam Meisel answers these questions and more as he discusses the complex social environment of the adolescent and it's pertinence to understanding substance use. Dr. Sam Meisel is a Research Scientist at Bradley Hospital and the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies in the Brown University School of Public Health.

Dr. Bill Stoops provides an overview of the pharmacology, effects, and prevalence of cocaine, in addition to treatments for cocaine use disorder. Dr. Bill Stoops is an Associate Director for Clinical Science in the Substance Use Priority Research Area, and a Professor in the Departments of Behavioral Science, Psychiatry, and Psychology, and in the Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, at the University of Kentucky.