Episode #39 High Truths with Dr. Timothy Brennan and Addiction MedicineEpisode #39 High Truths with Dr. Timothy Brennan and Addiction Medicine
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
If you go the emergency department with a broken arm, you will get an x-ray, a cast, and be referred to see an orthopedic specialist. If you have a serious heart problem you will be referred to a cardiologist. What happens if you come to the hospital with endocarditis – an infection of the heart caused by drug use? You will see a heart specialist, an infectious disease doctor, but will you see a specialist who can help treat the cause of the problem – the addiction? Addiction Medicine specialty care should be available just like a pain specialist or palliative care specialist. Dr. Timothy Brennan is one of the pioneers who is out to make addiction medicine specialty medical care more available in America. Timothy K. Brennan MD, MPH Dr. Brennan is the Director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospitals. He is also the Director of the Fellowship in Addiction Medicine Program at the Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai. Dr. Brennan has spoken at local, state, national and international levels about addiction policy issues, particularly as related to young adults. He is the co-editor of Lippincott’s “Essentials of Addiction Medicine”, and was appointed by Governor Cuomo to serve on the Medical Review Board at the New York State Justice Center. He is a frequent contributor in the media regarding addiction issues and has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, CBS News, and NPR. Dr. Brennan volunteers as a member of the Adolescent Advisory Panel at the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Dr. Brennan completed his Fellowship in Addiction Medicine at The Addiction Institute, a Fellowship in Medical Ethics at Harvard Medical School, and a Residency in Pediatrics at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical College. He also completed an intern year in Internal Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital. He received a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and a combined MD/MPH from Tulane University School of Medicine and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and Board Certified in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. The American College of Academic Addiction Medicine – ACAAM Additional Information on Dr. Brennan https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/timothy-k-brennan The ASAM Essentials of Addiction Medicine
44:33•20 Sept 2021
The Case for Addiction Medicine: Dr. Timothy Brennan’s Vision
“One of the silver linings, if you will, of the opioid crisis is that I think we're all now a little bit more comfortable talking about addiction as a medical disease.”
Imagine walking into an emergency room with a broken arm. You’d get an x-ray, a cast, and a referral to an orthopedic specialist. But what if you walked in with an infection of the heart caused by drug use? While you'd see a heart specialist and an infectious disease doctor, would you see someone to address the root cause – the addiction? In this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev chats with Dr.
Timothy Brennan, a leading figure in addiction medicine, to explore why this specialty should be as standard as cardiology or orthopedics. Dr. Brennan, who heads the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai West and St. Luke’s Hospitals, passionately argues for making addiction medicine more accessible in hospitals across America. He believes that just like any other medical specialty, addiction medicine can significantly improve patient outcomes.
He also shares his efforts to integrate addiction medicine into medical school curricula, ensuring future doctors are well-equipped to handle these complex cases. The conversation doesn’t stop there. Dr. Brennan delves into how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated substance use disorders and the alarming rise in stimulant use. He also tackles common myths about medical marijuana and cannabis, offering a clearer picture of their impacts.
Whether you're someone battling addiction, a healthcare professional, or just curious about the topic, this episode provides valuable insights into why addiction medicine deserves a prominent place in our healthcare system. Dr. Brennan’s vision is one of hope and progress, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of addiction treatment.
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