Transforming Addiction Recovery: A Conversation with Ahmed Abdel Aziz
Episode Overview
Addiction should be treated as a disease, not a moral failing. Medication-assisted recovery involves more than just replacing one drug with another. Patient-centric and culturally competent care are crucial for effective treatment. Pharmaceutical innovations like buprenorphine and overdose reversal drugs support recovery. Exploring new frontiers such as psychedelics can offer additional pathways to recovery.
"Addiction is a disease, not a moral failing"
In this episode of the Recovery Matters! Podcast, host Phil sits down with Ahmed Abdel Aziz from Indivior, a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to addiction medicine. Ahmed shares his journey into public health and addiction treatment, highlighting Indivior's mission to transform lives affected by substance use disorders. He passionately discusses the importance of viewing addiction as a disease rather than a moral failing and emphasises the need for patient-centric and culturally competent care.
The conversation also tackles common misconceptions about medication-assisted recovery, particularly the idea that it's merely replacing one drug with another. Ahmed explains how medications like buprenorphine and overdose reversal drugs play crucial roles in supporting recovery. They delve into the evolving landscape of addiction treatment, touching on the potential of psychedelics and harm reduction principles.
Ahmed's insights offer a fresh perspective on how pharmaceutical innovations can support recovery journeys, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of medicine and addiction recovery.