Advertise on podcast: Addiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addiction

Someone you love keeps drinking, using, or relapsing and you can feel your body tighten the moment you walk into the room. That tension makes sense, but it can also become part of the system that keeps addiction stuck. We sit down with therapist and family coach Jeff Jones, founder of The Family Recovery Solution and author of Rethinking Addiction, to unpack what actually helps families when a loved one is in active addiction or early recovery.  We get concrete with a classic scenario from the clinic: a middle-aged man with alcohol addiction and a spouse who loves him deeply but feels forced into constant pushing and correcting. Jeff explains why “help” can turn into pressure, how triangulation pulls doctors into the drama triangle, and how a simple 180-degree experiment plus journaling can reveal new options. We also talk boundaries as a way to create safety, calm the nervous system, and make better decisions, not as punishment or control.  Then we widen the lens to parenting teens and the added power dynamics families face, including why authoritative parenting (firm limits with connection) tends to work best. Jeff shares a powerful reframe from mediation: separate the addiction from the essence of your loved one, so you can hold consequences while staying anchored in love. We also cover structured family meetings, the idea that families move through the stages of change too, and why recovery is about building a life worth living, not only stopping a substance.  If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a family who needs it, and please leave a review so more people can find Addiction Medicine Made Easy. To learn more about Jeff's work: https://www.thefamilyrecoverysolution.com/ To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

THC isn’t the same drug it was 20 years ago, and pregnancy counseling hasn’t caught up. We sit down with Dr. Nazanin Amadieh, a board-certified OBGYN who also trained in addiction medicine, to map what today’s high-potency cannabis means for conception, the placenta, fetal development, and the newborn period. If you’ve heard “it’s legal” or “it’s just a plant” as proof of safety, this conversation offers a clearer, evidence-informed way to think about marijuana during pregnancy without stigma and without hand-waving.  We dig into the endocannabinoid system, why fetal receptors show up as early as five to six weeks, and how cannabis exposure may affect implantation, placenta formation, and early brain development. Then we get practical about the outcomes clinicians track: miscarriage risk signals, the stronger association with low birth weight or small for gestational age babies, and what NICU admission can mean for families. Because so much research is dated and modern THC concentrations can reach levels older studies never measured, we also talk openly about uncertainty and why “no proof of harm” is not the same as “safe.”  Nausea and vomiting gets its own spotlight, including the tricky overlap between hyperemesis gravidarum and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, plus the hot shower clue that can point toward CHS. We also cover breastfeeding and THC in breast milk, what parents should watch for, and why postpartum relapse to cannabis is common when anxiety and overwhelm hit after the first few months. If you care about maternal health, prenatal care, addiction medicine, or harm reduction, you’ll leave with better questions and clearer next steps.  Subscribe, share this with someone who’s pregnant or caring for pregnant patients, and please leave a review so more people can find the show. To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

Benzodiazepines can feel like flipping a switch: panic quiets, sleep finally comes, your body unclenches. But what happens when that “off switch” starts rewiring the system you rely on to stay calm in the first place? Dr Andrew Rizzo joins me to dig into the biology behind chronic benzodiazepine use and why so many clinicians now recognize benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) as a real, patient-altering condition rather than a vague catch-all for “rebound anxiety.”  We walk through the GABA receptor in plain language, including why benzodiazepines act as positive allosteric modulators, how the brain chases homeostasis by downregulating inhibition and upregulating glutamate, and why tolerance is structural not moral. Then we connect the molecular story to the clinical reality: why abrupt benzo cessation can be life-threatening, how seizure risk emerges, what “kindling” means for repeat withdrawal attempts, and why a slow benzodiazepine taper often takes months, not weeks.  We also spend time on what patients and families actually need during recovery: validation, steady follow-up, and a plan that treats this like a fragile neurobiological injury. If you’re a clinician, a patient, or someone supporting a loved one, you’ll leave with clearer language, sharper warning signs, and a better mental model for why symptoms like photophobia, tinnitus, tremor, and cognitive fog can persist long after the last pill.  Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest question about benzos and withdrawal. To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

Fentanyl changed the playbook for starting buprenorphine, and we’re tired of watching people suffer through days of withdrawal just to “earn” their first dose. So we break down a cleaner, faster on-ramp: direct-to-inject. Think of weekly Brixadi as an automatic microdose that builds buprenorphine levels over 24 hours, cuts out guesswork, and sets up a smooth handoff to a monthly injection that actually sticks. We start by demystifying precipitated withdrawal with simple, memorable analogies—the “100 mph to 60 mph” shift explains why heroin-era inductions no longer work when fentanyl lingers like THC. From there, we map the current options: long waits with comfort meds, meticulous sublingual microdosing, short-acting opioid bridges, and why DTI often outperforms them in the real world. You’ll hear our step-by-step protocol for week one: when to keep using, when to stop, how to layer sublingual buprenorphine, and which comfort meds reliably blunt symptoms without fogging people out. Then we get tactical. We compare Sublocade and Brixadi in plain English—needle size, injection sites, refrigeration, and the “tail” that can protect patients who miss appointments or face custody interruptions. We explain why some teams favor weekly Brixadi for the bridge and monthly Sublocade for its long half-life, while others choose monthly Brixadi for logistics and patient comfort. We also clear up a big myth: yes, you can supplement injectables with sublingual buprenorphine when needed. What matters most is the outcome. DTI compresses complexity into a single, supported action and replaces fear with momentum. Patients report fewer false starts, less chaos, and a quicker path to cravings control and stability. For clinicians and outreach teams, it’s a protocol that works on the street and in clinic, with clear timing, meds, and contingencies that honor how people actually live. If this helped you rethink induction in the fentanyl era, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more clinicians and families can find it. Treating addiction saves lives—let’s make the first step easier. To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

A lot of people think addiction begins with a bad decision. We start earlier—at the moments when consent was stolen, trust collapsed, and silence felt safer than speaking. Carly sits down with us to map the real terrain: childhood sexual assault, a near-rape behind a high school bonfire, military harassment that exploited rank, and the long slide from alcohol to meth, from oxy to heroin. The story is raw and specific, and it asks a bigger question we should all be wrestling with: what if addiction isn’t the disease, but the way we cope with the ones we don’t treat? We walk through the culture of the OxyContin generation, the false safety of pills, and why heroin often follows when access dries up. Carly explains how meth’s euphoria and laser focus quieted a mind on fire, and why boundaries—not willpower—became the non‑negotiable tools of her recovery. We dig into homelessness, the dangerous logic of abusive relationships, and a nuanced view of sex work as both survival and, at times, chosen agency. It’s complicated on purpose; real lives are. What stands out most is the timeline. She got clean from heroin years before she learned relationship sobriety. That difference matters to anyone supporting survivors or working in addiction medicine: cravings don’t exist in a vacuum, and trauma doesn’t disappear at discharge. We talk about “playing the tape forward,” spotting red flags early, and building safety that might look extreme to outsiders but keeps a survivor alive and growing. If you care about trauma-informed recovery, sexual assault, military harassment, homelessness, sex work, and the real mechanics of healing, you’ll find honesty here you can use. Listen, share with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a review so others can find the show. Your feedback helps us keep having the hard conversations that save lives. To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

I sat down with a room full of high school seniors to talk to them about party culture in college.  College freedom can be thrilling—and unforgiving. As an ER physician turned addiction specialist, I pull back the curtain on campus party culture with real stories, clear limits, and life-saving tactics to be used the first weekend of college. From Narcan basics and Good Samaritan protections to the truth about binge drinking, this conversation lays out what actually keeps college students safe when nights get loud and fast. We start with the numbers: what high-risk drinking is, why “I can hold my liquor” isn’t a flex but a warning sign, and how body size and sex change BAC more than most people realize. Then we walk through the pressure cookers—Greek life hazing, pre-gaming, shotgunning beers, beer bongs, keg stands, and jungle juice—explaining why compressing 10 drinks into an hour is the exact scenario that leads to blackouts, injuries, and assaults. I teach simple, effective steps: eat first, alternate drinks with water, stick with sealed beverages you open yourself, and never leave your cup behind. We talk candidly about consent, spiked drinks, and why half of campus sexual assaults involve alcohol. The episode also tackles cannabis in 2026: today’s THC is a different drug than what parents remember. We unpack potency, “greening out,” rising rates of cannabis-induced paranoia and psychosis, and how frequent use intersects with attention, grades, and graduation. Along the way, I share ER-tested guidance for handling alcohol poisoning—when to observe, when to call 911, and how to position someone safely—as well as how to spot early signs of alcohol addiction in college students and get help through campus health services. If you’re a senior heading to college, a parent, or a mentor, this is a clear-eyed playbook for staying safe without sitting out. Subscribe, share this with a student you care about, and leave a quick review—it helps more people find practical, judgment-free advice when they need it most. To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

Hypnosis and moderation rarely share the same sentence—until you understand how your brain decides to drink. We sit down with Australian clinical hypnotherapist Georgia Foster to unpack a practical, science‑aligned approach to reducing alcohol that starts by changing state, not shaming behavior. Georgia explains why the amygdala’s fear and urgency often override the best intentions, how the inner critic fuels that cycle, and what it takes to bring the prefrontal cortex—the calm, planning center—back online when it matters. You’ll hear how two common patterns show up in overdrinking. The perfectionist white‑knuckles through the week, then binges on relief because there are no references for slow, present drinking. The pleaser says yes to keep the peace, struggling to stay alcohol‑free in social settings. Georgia shows how hypnosis creates new “future references” by rehearsing success in the alpha‑theta window, the natural state between wake and sleep. By pairing imagined events with emotions like confidence, ease, and clarity, the brain encodes a different blueprint—so at a wedding, work dinner, or solo evening at home, choice feels obvious and safe. We also dig into mindless home routines, the difference between emotional and habitual drinking, simple tactics like “drink one, water one,” and why many people discover they don’t even like what they were pouring once the inner critic quiets down. Georgia shares who responds fastest to hypnotherapy, when to seek additional support, and why building self‑esteem is central to long‑term change. Along the way, we talk about privacy, digital programs, and her goal to help one million people drink less by replacing shame with skill. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who could use a gentler path, and leave a quick review—your words help others find evidence‑informed help and start their own change. To learn more about Georgia's work: https://shop.georgiafoster.com/ To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

What if addiction isn’t a failure of willpower, but a failure of the brain systems that make willpower possible? In this episode Dr. Brenda Fann (who has been on the pod before) interviews me about addiction as we provide a clear, compassionate walk through what addiction really is, why it grips so hard, and how families can help without enabling. You’ll hear a physician’s lived experience of losing a spouse to alcohol use disorder, the science behind cravings and executive function, and the practical steps that move people from chaos toward stability. We unpack the three C’s—cravings, compulsive use, and continued use despite harm—and translate them into everyday red flags partners and parents can actually spot. We explain how early exposure reshapes the adolescent brain, why withdrawal makes “just quit” dangerous advice, and what truly counts as a standard drink. From insomnia fueled drinking to masking trauma with stimulants, we explore how substances solve short‑term problems while creating long‑term damage—and how targeted treatment reverses that math. Then we get tactical. Think of recovery as a three‑legged stool: medication to steady the biology, therapy to build skills and face trauma, and peer support to restore connection and motivation. For families, the parallel path matters: Al‑Anon or Nar‑Anon, counseling, and firm but fair boundaries. You’ll learn conversation starters that lower defenses (“Help me understand what you need from the alcohol”) and a simple rule for avoiding the “villain” role while still holding the line. We also break down the data on teens, vaping, and the myth that teaching kids to drink at home protects them—it doesn’t. If you’re ready for a roadmap that blends medical insight with human kindness, this conversation delivers. Subscribe for more evidence‑based guidance, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review so others can find real help faster. To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

In the case of an overdose, a person stops breathing long before most of us realize what is happening. That is why our mantra is simple and urgent: call 911 and give naloxone. We walk step by step through recognizing an opioid overdose, using nasal naloxone in under a minute, and staying safe while you help. You do not need a medical degree to save a life; you need a clear plan, Naloxone, and the courage to act when someone will not wake up. We break down how opioids shut down the brain’s breathing center and why unresponsiveness plus poor breathing should trigger immediate action. You will learn the key visual cues, when pinpoint pupils help and when mixed drugs blur the picture, and why naloxone is still a smart move even if alcohol or other substances are involved. We also confront stigma head-on, separating withdrawal management from life-saving priorities, and share a powerful ER story where Naloxone rescued a patient from an overdose in minutes. Fentanyl demands new habits. We explain why it often takes multiple naloxone sprays, debunk fears about casual skin contact, and outline a compact PPE kit—mask, eye protection, nitrile gloves—to protect against airborne powder or accidental transfer. We cover re-overdose risks when naloxone wears off, the critical role of EMS observation, and practical tips on storage, expiration, and keeping naloxone in your glove box or bag. Along the way, we highlight Good Samaritan protections that reduce fear of calling for help, so more people step forward when it counts. If you care about harm reduction, community safety, and giving people a second chance, this guide is for you. Hit follow, share this episode with a friend who should carry naloxone, and leave a quick review so more people learn how to act when seconds matter. To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

The story we’ve been told about cannabis—safe, simple, and mostly benign—doesn’t match what we’re seeing at the bedside. Two ER-turned-addiction doctors pull back the curtain on how high-potency products can quietly undercut psychiatric meds, complicate procedural sedation, and nudge recovery off course even when everything else looks better. This isn’t a panic piece; it’s a practical guide to staying safer and getting more from treatment. We start with psychiatry and a pattern that’s easy to miss: chronic cannabis use can upregulate ABC transporters along the gut, liver, and blood-brain barrier, pushing certain antipsychotics and mood meds out of cells faster and blunting their effect. What looks like “noncompliance” may be pharmacology. We talk through which agents lean on these transporters, which alternatives may perform better, and how to have a stigma-free conversation that protects trust while fixing the plan. Then we roll into the procedure room. Heavy cannabis use can decrease sensitivity to propofol and other sedatives by altering GABA activity and endocannabinoid tone, often requiring higher doses and tighter monitoring. Add a lesser-known risk—post-propofol hypersalivation in frequent users—and disclosure becomes a safety tool. We share exactly what to tell anesthesia, what clinicians can prepare for, and how to keep airways protected without surprises. Finally, we examine the “Cali sober” idea through data, not dogma. Large cohort studies link cannabis use to higher rates of alcohol recurrence and new substance use disorders over time, especially with potent concentrates. We cover why potency and pattern matter, how cannabis can dampen the gains of CBT, MI, and contingency management, and what a realistic harm reduction path looks like when abstinence isn’t the first stop. Throughout, we keep language careful—reported use, not admitted; return to use, not relapse—because words shape trust. If you care for patients, care about someone in recovery, or care about your own health, this conversation offers a clear framework: ask better questions, match meds to biology, and align goals to protect progress. Subscribe, share with a colleague or friend, and leave a quick rating to help others find the show. What did you learn that changes your practice—or your plan—today? Link to State by State Alternatives to California Sober: https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/local-alternatives-to-california-sober To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

Sleep doesn’t break because you forgot how to close your eyes. It breaks when anxiety trains your brain to stay on guard, and when quick fixes like alcohol, cannabis, or OTC sleep aids sedate you without restoring you. We team up with Australian psychologist and author Helen Dugdale to unpack how insomnia forms, why 3 a.m. wakeups become a habit loop, and the practical, evidence‑based steps that rebuild real rest—especially for people in recovery. Helen shares how anxiety sits at the core of most sleep problems and why the brain’s plasticity is our greatest ally. We dig into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT‑I) basics—aligning with circadian rhythm, setting simple pre‑bed routines, and replacing catastrophic thoughts with repeatable behaviors—and explore how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) calms trauma so sleep skills can finally land. Expect concrete tactics: caffeine cutoffs tied to bedtime, screen boundaries that don’t feel punitive, mantras that redirect attention, breathing and counting that occupy mental space, and progressive muscle relaxation you can run anywhere, even in a noisy room with the lights on. We also address the realities people with addiction face: unstable housing, tight budgets, caregiving, and long days that drain executive function. You’ll hear how to build micro‑habits that fit into crowded lives—thirty seconds while the kettle boils, one minute before starting the car, seven minutes as “0.5% of your day.” We talk timelines for progress, what to do on rough days when HALT hits, and how to bounce back from relapse without shame. The throughline is hope: you are worth the effort, and repetition rewires nights. If you’re ready to trade quick fixes for deep, durable rest, this conversation gives you a blueprint you can start tonight. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs better sleep, and leave a review with the one habit you’ll try first. Your feedback helps others find the show. To learn more about Helen's work: https://australianbraincoaching.com.au To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

What if opioid withdrawal could visibly ease in 20 minutes and cravings could drop to near zero within days? We sit down with Net Recovery CEO Joe Winston to unpack a wearable neuromodulation device, FDA-cleared for managing opioid withdrawal, that adapts to real-world drug trends and may restore a person’s ability to choose. Joe traces an unexpected journey from aerospace and AI to building a handheld system that translates complex waveform expertise into accessible care—and shares how rigorous trials and peer-reviewed data convinced skeptics. We dive into how the device works: gel electrodes behind the ears deliver patterned stimulation that dynamically shifts based on daily assessments of opioid, sedative, and stimulant withdrawal. As supplies change—think xylazine-adulterated fentanyl or emerging veterinary sedatives—the team retools waveforms to meet the moment. The results are striking: measurable relief within an hour, average treatment of three to four days, and early evidence that many patients reduce use of opioids and psychostimulants for months post-treatment, even without medication. That renewed agency becomes the catalyst for aftercare, longer residential stays, and more consistent engagement. Access and scale matter as much as science. We explore delivery in jails where Medicaid interruptions worsen withdrawal, residential programs, and new office-based addiction treatment designed for privacy and minimal life disruption. We also tackle safety and harm reduction—falling tolerance raises overdose risk if someone returns to old doses—and clarify patterns of lapse versus relapse observed in follow-ups. Beyond clinics, Joe lays out a bold public-health vision: statewide jail deployments measured against overdoses, all-cause mortality, and re-arrest. It’s a practical, humane plan to meet people where they are and move addiction care forward with data, transparency, and stories of real recovery. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick rating. Your support helps more people find evidence-based paths out of addiction. To Learn More about Net Recovery: https://www.netrecovery.net One of the studies Joe referenced in our interview: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1510428/full To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]

Join us for this episode which is a fast, honest tour through what ketamine can actually do for mental health—without the hype. We sit down with addiction psychiatrist Dr. Mark Hrymoc to unpack where the evidence is strongest, who qualifies, and why IV ketamine often produces quicker relief than nasal esketamine when depression won’t budge. From treatment-resistant depression and acute suicidality to anxiety and PTSD, we dig into the protocols that matter: six-session inductions, customized maintenance, and practical strategies for measuring progress with tools like the PHQ-9. We pull back the curtain on how ketamine works at the receptor level—NMDA antagonism, downstream dopamine effects, and BDNF-driven neuroplasticity—and explain why dissociation may help some patients but isn’t required for benefit. You’ll hear how we screen candidates, manage blood pressure, reduce nausea, and set up sessions with eye masks, ambient music, and a nurse at the bedside so the experience is safe, focused, and grounded. We also get real about addiction risk, clarifying the difference between recreational use and a carefully monitored medical protocol, and how stable recovery timelines factor into clinical decision-making. For PTSD and anxiety, we explore pairing ketamine with psychotherapy and post-session integration to turn insights into change. We compare IV ketamine’s dosing flexibility with Spravato’s structured pathway, talk costs and coverage, and outline how to taper other meds only after sustained stability. Looking ahead, we spotlight promising research directions—from extending response with adjuncts to early signals for substance use disorders—and why interventional psychiatry is opening a much-needed chapter beyond traditional antidepressants. If you’ve wondered whether ketamine is a bridge or a destination, this conversation gives you a clear, practical map. Subscribe, share with a clinician friend, and leave a review to help others find evidence-based mental health care. To contact Dr. Grover - [email protected]

Parenting can sharpen joy and stress at the same time—and for moms and dads in recovery, that edge can test every habit that keeps sobriety strong. We sit down with Sarah Benton, licensed counselor, addiction specialist, and author of Parents in Recovery, to unpack how families can protect recovery without sacrificing the warmth and wonder of raising kids. From morning routines to packed weekends to those birthday parties where wine shows up next to the cupcakes, we get practical about limits, language, and the lifestyle choices that prevent burnout. Sarah explains why “recovery first” isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation that keeps everything else standing. We explore the high-functioning myth, where substances quietly enable overloaded schedules, and what happens when you remove the “checkout” at day’s end. Expect candid talk on right-sizing commitments, navigating the dip of post-acute withdrawal, and building a toolbox that actually works: therapy, meetings, peer support, and simple rituals for rest. We also dive into partner dynamics, from two parents in recovery to mixed households, and the education and respect that make those setups sustainable. Prevention gets the spotlight too. Genetics raise the stakes, and delaying a teen’s first drink past 15 meaningfully lowers risk. We share how to start honest conversations by middle school, present family history without shame, and set boundaries around alcohol and cannabis in social spaces. You’ll hear real-world scripts, ways to model “social battery” limits at home, and strategies to swap FOMO for intention. By the end, you’ll have a clear map for turning recovery into a steady family culture—one that keeps parents connected and kids grounded. If this conversation helped, follow the show, leave a quick review, and share it with someone who needs a practical, hopeful roadmap for parenting in recovery. To learn more about Sarah's work: www.bentonbhc.com www.waterviewbh.com To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected] 

What if helping someone you love through addiction starts with healing yourself? That single shift reframes everything—your boundaries, your tone, your scripts, and the way your home holds stress. Dr. Casey Grover sits down with family coach and author Lisa Katona Smith to unpack Parallel Recovery, a values-driven approach that gives families actionable tools and a steady process for change without the burnout of fixing or the coldness of detachment. Lisa shares how a personal crisis led her to blend educator skills, CRAFT principles, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed strategies into a practical toolkit. We explore values and their shadow sides—how devotion without limits becomes resentment, and humor under pressure turns into sarcasm—and why clarity about who you want to be drives better boundaries. You’ll hear the “hamburger boundary” story, a low-stakes, high-impact example of retraining family dynamics; a phone-blocking repair script that turns punishment into invitation; and simple ways to separate the person from the behavior so conversations stay human. We also look at the reality of nervous systems under stress and why sustainable change means concepts over checklists: consistent limits you can keep, language that calms, and agreements on how to raise concerns after treatment so families don’t slip back into super-sleuth mode. Lisa explains why families are the first and final connection in recovery and how parallel support—one guide for the family, one for the person—reduces conflict and opens the door to readiness. If you’ve felt stuck between carrot and stick, this conversation offers a third path: redesign the relationship so change has room to grow. To learn more about Lisa and her work: https://lisakatonasmith.com/ To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]