Episode 40: Understanding Addiction – Know Science, No Stigma with Dr. Chuck Smith

Dr. Chuck Smith works as an addictionologist in South Florida where he provides patient care including detox, residential, and outpatient management of addictive diseases. He is a graduate of Marshall University and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Smith has completed an Addiction Medicine  Fellowship at the University of Florida. 

Dr. Smith is also a co-author of the book, Understanding Addiction:  Knowing Science, No Stigma.  Dr. Smith is an expert in the field of addiction medicine and has firsthand experience with the humiliation and shame that accompanies substance use disorder.  Dr. Smith had a successful medical practice and lost everything including his ability to practice medicine due to his substance use addiction.  After losing his medical license, everything else crumbled. 

He spent seven years to recovery, he sought treatment, then lived in a sober living house, and was able to be a certified drug and alcohol counselor, then got into a fellowship in addiction medicine. Now he practices medicine and teaches other physicians addiction medicine and what lifesaving questions to ask patients.

Dr. Smith believes, “you can’t think your way into sober living, but you can live your way into sober thinking”.

Key things discussed:

• 10% of Americans are at risk for substance use disorder – how we got this number.
• Key risk factors that can lead to substance use disorder.
• Understanding the brain and addiction - Vulnerable and damaged dopamine reward system – Prefrontal Cortex.
• Medical Training to physicians - screening tools – SBIRT (screen, brief intervention, and referral to treatment) and other tools.
• Effective treatment approaches for physicians, nurses, and pilots = 70%  or more success rate.
• Sober Curious.
• The book is for education and those vulnerable to substance use disorder.
• The future.

More about Dr. Smith:

Instagram:  @dr.chucksmith

Website:  https://helpsaddiction.com

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Addiction-Know-Science-Stigma/dp/17372520X