Podcasts about opioids

Each day, SDPB brings you statewide news coverage. We then compile those stories into a daily podcast.

Lifelong Kentucky farmer expresses his concern amid the United States' trade dispute with China, Kentuckians working on the front lines of drug treatment, harm reduction, and prevention convene in Louisville, and some Kentucky high school students are getting a course on how to cover the cost of college.

About this episode: Buprenorphine is a highly effective medication used for treating opioid use disorder. But accessing this lifesaving prescription can be challenging. In this episode: Jeff Hom and Marlene Lira talk about the critical role of buprenorphine in reducing overdose deaths and the role pharmacies can play in improving access. Guests: Jeff Hom, MD, MPH, is the Medical Officer for Science and Policy in the Substance Use Services section of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. He is also a DrPH student in Health Policy and Bloomberg Fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Marlene C. Lira, MPH, is the Senior Director of Research at Workit Health, a multi-state telemedicine treatment provider for evidence-based addiction care, and a doctoral candidate in Health Policy & Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Pharmacy Barriers to Receiving Buprenorphine Among Patients Undergoing Telemedicine Addiction Treatment—JAMA Network Open Prescribing Buprenorphine By Telehealth: Lessons From San Francisco Amidst A Changing Regulatory Landscape—Health Affairs The New Federal Regulations Aimed Making Methadone More Accessible—And Less Stigmatizing—Public Health On Call (April 2024) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)  The AHRQ Integration Academy developed the Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook as a practical guide for providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and immediate care for patients with OUD in primary care and other ambulatory care settings. It is interactive, web-based, and has the latest guidance, tools, resources, and examples that address key aspects of MOUD implementation. The MOUD Quick Start Guide covers the essentials of low-threshold care, while the balance of the Playbook offers more in-depth resources and guidance for those practices interested in working toward more comprehensive, whole-person care. The low-threshold approach ensures immediate access to MOUD, eliminating barriers for both patients and providers.    Read this issue of the ASAM Weekly Subscribe to the ASAM Weekly Visit ASAM

Triple-board-certified anesthesiologist and pain-management specialist Dr. Akash Bajaj joins May and Tim Hindmarsh to share his journey from traditional pain medicine to functional and regenerative care. He recalls being a 9/11 first responder, his shift away from opioid-based practice, and how therapies like PRP and stem-cell injections are transforming recovery for patients. The conversation dives deep into mindset, hormones, and the art of true healing—without dependence on prescriptions.Guest BioDr. Akash Bajaj, MD, MPH is a triple board-certified physician in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Regenerative Medicine, based in Los Angeles, California. He is the founder and medical director of Axxor Medicine, where he integrates traditional pain management with cutting-edge regenerative and functional medicine therapies.A graduate of New York Medical College, Dr. Bajaj completed his anesthesiology residency at UCLA and his pain management fellowship at UC San Francisco. His experience as a first responder during 9/11 deeply shaped his perspective on patient suffering and inspired his lifelong focus on pain relief and healing.Today, Dr. Bajaj specializes in non-opioid treatments such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma), stem cell therapy, and hormone optimization, helping patients address the root causes of chronic pain, aging, and inflammation. His mission is to restore function, vitality, and quality of life through a personalized, whole-body approach to medicine.Website: https://axxormedicine.com GET SOCIAL WITH US!

Gov. Kathy Hochul says the White House is clawing back money to support patrols, security camera operations and K-9 units for the city's transit system. Plus, the NYPD's top officer is retiring a week after Mayor Adams ended his re-election bid. And finally, Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli squared off in a fiery debate Wednesday night tackling topics like the Gateway Tunnel Project and New Jersey Transit service.

Canadian journalist Nora Loreto reads the latest headlines for Wednesday, October 8, 2025.TRNN has partnered with Loreto to syndicate and share her daily news digest with our audience. Tune in every morning to the TRNN podcast feed to hear the latest important news stories from Canada and worldwide.Find more headlines from Nora at Sandy & Nora Talk Politics podcast feed.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!WE'RE FINALISTS FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS SIGNAL AWARDS. HELP US WIN!Click here to vote!:https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/shows/genre/historyMichael Fox is also a finalist in the History Podcast category for his truly unique, rich, and inspirational weekly series Stories of Resistance------------Click here to vote for Marc Steiner!: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/individual-episodes/cMarc Steiner is a finalist for Best Host of an Individual Episode 

Opioid poisonings have killed tens of thousands across Canada, the vast majority of them adults. But, in a heartbreaking group of cases, babies and toddlers have fallen victim to fentanyl or its more toxic cousin carfentanil. Sharon Kirkey joins the show to discuss how many young children have died from opioid overdoses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with more powerful research on this week's episode of The Evidence Based Chiropractor. If you care about your patients' health and the opioid crisis, this is a must-read.Here's the Big News:A brand new study published in 2025 shows that patients who choose chiropractic care first for new low back pain are an astonishing 80% less likely to develop an opioid use disorder, compared to those who reach for ibuprofen and follow the typical medical pathway.Let's break down the study highlights:Dramatic risk reduction: Only 0.24% of patients who consulted a chiropractor developed opioid use disorder — versus 1.5% in the ibuprofen group.Prescription impact: Chiropractic patients not only had a significantly lower risk of addiction but also received less than half the average number of opioid prescriptions compared to the ibuprofen group.Long-term safety: Long-term opioid use (90+ days) was 77% lower among chiropractic patients.Episode Notes: Association Between Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Low Back Pain With or Without Sciatica and Opioid Use DisorderLeander Tables- Save $1,000 on the Series 950 Table using the code EBC2025 — their most advanced flexion-distraction tablePatient Pilot by The Smart Chiropractor is the fastest, easiest to generate weekly patient reactivations on autopilot…without spending any money on advertising. Click here to schedule a call with our team.Our members use research to GROW their practice. Are you interested in increasing your referrals? Discover the best chiropractic marketing you aren't currently using right here!

Ben Bush, a former U.S. Army Ranger combat veteran from Brandon, shares with Mississippi Today his personal story of his struggle with PTSD after returning home from overseas combat, and how the psychedelic plant-derived drug ibogaine helped him regain his life. But he had to travel to Mexico for the treatment. It's illegal in the United States. House Public Health Chairman Sam Creekmore wants to change that, and he wants Mississippi to invest in testing the drug and help push for federal approval. 

In this episode, Dr. Asif Ilyas, Orthopaedic Surgeon and President of the Rothman Opioid Foundation, shares strategies to reduce opioid reliance while ensuring effective pain management. He discusses multimodal approaches, patient education, and the ongoing challenges of fentanyl and overdose deaths.

In this episode, Dr. Asif Ilyas, Orthopaedic Surgeon and President of the Rothman Opioid Foundation, shares strategies to reduce opioid reliance while ensuring effective pain management. He discusses multimodal approaches, patient education, and the ongoing challenges of fentanyl and overdose deaths.

In this episode, Dr. Asif Ilyas, Orthopaedic Surgeon and President of the Rothman Opioid Foundation, shares strategies to reduce opioid reliance while ensuring effective pain management. He discusses multimodal approaches, patient education, and the ongoing challenges of fentanyl and overdose deaths.

Content Editor Stasia DeMarco speaks with Claire Bryant, Senior Program Manager of Workplace Safety Programs at the National Safety Council, about a new tool designed to help manage the opioid epidemic in the workplace. With overdoses now linked to nearly one in ten workplace deaths, NSC has launched a free Overdose Emergency Planning Tool to help employers prepare for opioid emergencies and determine how much naloxone to keep on hand. Bryant also highlights the importance of quick response and recovery-supportive workplace policies to save lives and prevent future crises.      

In this powerful DiepCJourney® podcast episode, Dr. Anne Peled and Dr. Ziv Peled, renowned experts in breast reconstruction and pain management join forces to explore the groundbreaking potential of Journavx, a new non-opioid oral pain medication designed to address acute post-surgical pain. With a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes and reducing reliance on opioids, this is the first FDA approved non-opioid oral pain medication for acute pain approved by the FDA in twenty years. They unpack the science behind Journavx, its clinical applications, and what it means for the future of recovery after breast reconstruction. Listeners will gain:

In this episode of Laughing with Letta, Sheletta Brundidge speaks with Washington County Health about how opioid settlement funds are being put to work. The county has partnered with eight local organizations to provide support, resources, and hope for families impacted by the opioid crisis. Together, they're building a stronger, healthier community. Tune in to hear how these partnerships are making a real difference on the ground.

New York City Rent stabilized apartments are getting a price hike. Starting tomorrow, renters will have a 3% increase on one-year leases and a 4.5% rise on two-year leases. This applies to about 1 million apartments across the city. New York City is looking to secure millions of dollars in a settlement from Purdue Pharma, the makers of Oxycontin, to tackle the ongoing opioid crisis. WFUV's Xenia Gonikberg tells us more about what it means for the city. As New York state opens the door to full-scale casinos in the five boroughs, millionaires, celebrities, and political insiders are staking their bets in what's seen as a high stakes gamble for the city's future. Host/Producer: Lainey Nguyen Editor: Tess Novotny Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Reporter: Joseph Vizza Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Join Dr. Gail Donofrio, an emergency physician and addiction specialist, as she leads a compelling discussion with Dr. Nick Simpson and Dr. Gerard Carroll about the transformative impact of EMS-initiated buprenorphine on opiate overdose care. The panel explores the development of this innovative practice, the successes and challenges encountered, the importance of reframing opioid use disorder as a medical issue, and concrete steps for implementation. Learn about the vital role of pre-hospital providers in bridging treatment gaps and improving patient outcomes. This essential session is part of the SAEM podcast series on EMS-initiated buprenorphine, funded by SAMHSA.   Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Opioid overdose is the #1 killer of 18-45 year olds in America. The crisis is not over, and we are still prescribing these addictive substances for pain management at an ...

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Checkout the video here.Opioids and Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Risks and AlternativesIn this episode of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast, the host delves into the complex and often controversial topic of using opioids for treating fibromyalgia. The discussion is anchored around a comprehensive review from the Mayo Proceedings and explores why opioids, despite being widely prescribed, are not effective for fibromyalgia patients and may even be harmful. The podcast also covers the mechanisms of fibromyalgia, how it differs from other pain disorders, and why alternative treatments such as FDA-approved medications, exercise, sleep management, and cognitive behavioral therapy are more effective. Listeners are encouraged to seek professional medical advice before making any changes to their treatment plans.00:00 Introduction to Opioids and Fibromyalgia01:23 Understanding Fibromyalgia and Opioid Use03:18 Medical Guidelines and Opioid Efficacy05:39 Neuroimaging Insights and Opioid Hyperalgesia07:28 Expert Opinions and Alternative Treatments08:28 Reasons for Continued Opioid Prescriptions09:27 Psychological and Social Factors10:26 Moving Forward: Multidisciplinary Care12:14 Guidance for Current Opioid Users16:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That's why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you've been told fibromyalgia “isn't real” or that it's “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You're not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you'll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn't replace personal medical advice.* ...

Pennsylvania Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder  joins our host Heather Major for episode 3 of Someone You Know.   This episode was recorded in May 2025 in front of a live studio audience. In this episode, we discuss: The vast career of Commissioner Winder, spanning various roles in health and human services, particularly with underserved populations The personal connection that influenced her choice to join this line of work. The innovative and strategic ways Montgomery County is striving to use the opioid settlement dollars, to make a real impact. Collegiate Recovery Programs - and how 4 institutions in Montgomery County alone have implemented this program. The importance of Connection in the substance use recovery journey Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website to learn how we are collaborating to address this crisis: www.ibxfoundation.org. TM 2025 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimers The information contained in this podcast is solely for informational purposes and should not replace advice from a medical provider when making healthcare decisions. This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with. Nothing discussed in this podcast shall constitute or should be construed as endorsement by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation or Independence Blue Cross, LLC of any product or service discussed herein. We will discuss opioid use and opioid treatment, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is suffering from opioid addiction, please visit ibxfoundation.org/SYK. 

Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Elizabeth Van Nostrand of Temple University about her recent paper exploring how Indiana adults participating in treatment court program tended to have better health outcomes than individuals who applied and were accepted but chose not to participate.Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast

Combating the Opioid crisis in the capital city. Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits and Emergency Overdose Boxes are now in the hands of first responders.Then, a new online tool is launched to address Mississippi's childcare shortages. Plus, Sickle Cell disease causes severe pain and even death. Efforts are underway to raise awareness about the disease and find a cure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clemens Fischer has never smoked pot in his life, but he believes his new experimental drug could reap billions in sales—and change millions of lives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 203: Microinduction and harm reduction in OUD.  Nathan Bui and Sanjay Reddy describe how to manage opioid use disorder (OUD) by using microinduction and harm reduction, strategies that are reshaping the way we treat opioid use disorder. Written by Sanjay Reddy, OMSIV and Nathan Bui, OMSIV. Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.IntroWelcome to episode 203 of Rio Bravo qWeek, your weekly dose of knowledge.Today, we're tackling one of the biggest health challenges of our time: opioid use disorder, or OUD. Nearly every community in America has been touched by it: families, friends, even healthcare providers themselves. For decades, treatment has been surrounded by barriers, painful withdrawals, stigma, and strict rules that often do more harm than good. Too many people who need help never make it past those walls. But here's the hopeful part, new approaches are rewriting the story. They are less about rigid rules and more about meeting people where they are. Two of the most promising strategies for treatment of OUD are buprenorphine microinduction and harm reduction. Let's learn why these two connected strategies could change the future of addiction recovery. Background information of treatment: The X-waiver (short for DATA 2000 waiver) was a special DEA requirement for prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Doctors used to take extra training (8 hours) and apply for it. Then, they could prescribe buprenorphine to a very limited number of patients. The X-waiverhelped regulate buprenorphine but also created barriers to access treatment to OUD. It was eliminated in January 2023 and now all clinicians with a standard DEA registration no longer need a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD. Why buprenorphine?Buprenorphine is one of the safest and most effective medications for opioid use disorder. It has some key attributes that make it both therapeutic and extremely safe: 1) As a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, it binds and provides enough partial stimulation to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing strong euphoria associated with full agonists. 2) Because it has a strong binding affinity compared to full agonists, it easily displaces other opioids that may be occupying the receptor. 3) As an antagonist at kappa-opioid receptors, it contributes to improved mood and reduced stress-induced cravings. 4) The “ceiling effect”: increasing the dosage past a certain point does not produce a stronger opioid effect. This ceiling effect reduces the risk of respiratory depression and overdose, making it a safer option than full agonists. 5) It also had mild analgesic effects, reducing pain. 6) Long duration of action: The strong binding affinity and slow dissociation from the mu-opioid receptor are responsible for buprenorphine's long half-life of 24–60 hours. This prolonged action allows for once-daily dosing in medication-assisted treatment for OUD. Induction vs microinduction:The problem is, starting it—what's called “induction”—can be really tough. Patients usually need to stop opioids and go through a period of withdrawal first. Drugs like fentanyl, which can cause precipitated withdrawal —a sudden, severe crash may push people back to using opioids. Because buprenorphine binds so tightly to the mu-opioid receptor, it can displace other opioids, such as heroin or methadone. If buprenorphine is taken while a person still has other opioids in their system, it can trigger sudden and severe withdrawal symptoms.Opioid withdrawal sign sand symptoms:Opioid withdrawal symptoms are very uncomfortable; patients may even get aggressive during withdrawals. As a provider, once you meet one of these patients you never forget how uncomfortable and nasty they can be. The symptoms are lacrimation or rhinorrhea, piloerection "goose flesh," myalgia, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, pupillary dilation, photophobia, insomnia, autonomic hyperactivity (tachypnea, hyperreflexia, tachycardia, sweating, hypertension, hyperthermia), and yawning. Think about all the symptoms you run for COWS (Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale). It is estimated 85 % of opioid-using patients who inject drugs (PWID) reported opioid withdrawal. Fortunately, even though opioid withdrawal is very uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening (unlike alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, which can be fatal).Many patients who start the journey treating opioid use disorder experience “bumps in the road” --they avoid treatment or drop out early. What is Microinduction? Microinduction is a fairly new strategy started in Switzerland around 2016. It is also known as the “Bernese method” (named after the city of Bern, Switzerland). With this method, instead of stopping opioids cold turkey, patients start with tiny doses of buprenorphine—fractions of a milligram. These doses gradually increase over several days while the patient continues their regular opioid use. While they begin this titer, they can continue use of the full agonist they were previously using–methadone, fentanyl, or heroin, while the buprenorphine begins to take effect. Once the buprenorphine builds up to a therapeutic level, the full agonist is stopped. This method uses buprenorphine's unique pharmacology to stabilize the brain's opioid system without triggering those really nasty withdrawal symptoms.Early studies and case reports suggest this is safe, tolerable, and effective method to do. Microinduction is changing the game, and it has been spreading quickly in North America. Instead of forcing patients to stop opioids completely, the dose is slowly increased over the next three to seven days, while the patient keeps using their usual opioids.By the end of that week, the buprenorphine has built up to a therapeutic level and the full agonist is stopped. The difference is really dramatic. Instead of a painful crash into withdrawal, patients describe the process as a gentle step down, or a ramp instead of a cliff. It's a flexible method. It can be done in a hospital, a clinic, or even outpatient with good follow-up. Once a patient and doctor develop a strong relationship built on the principles of patient autonomy and patient-centered care, microinduction can be closely monitored on a monthly basis including televisits. Microinduction has been shown to help more patients stay in treatment. The Role of Harm Reduction Instead of demanding perfection, harm reduction focuses on best practices providers can implement to reduce risk and keep patients safe. Harm reduction can vary from providing naloxone to reverse overdoses, giving out clean syringes, or offering safer injection education. It also means allowing patients to stay in treatment even if they keep using other substances, and tailoring care for groups like adolescents, parents, or people recently released from incarceration. Harm reduction says that instead of demanding perfection, let's focus on progress. Instead of all-or-nothing, let's devote resources to keeping people alive and safe. As mentioned,an option is providing naloxone kits so overdoses can be reversed in the moment. Also, giving out clean syringes so the risk of HIV or hepatitis infection is reduced while injecting heroin. Another way to reduce harm is teaching safer injection practices so people can protect themselves until they're ready for that next step in their treatment. It also means keeping the doors open, even when patients slip. If someone is still using other substances, they still deserve care. And it means tailoring support for groups who oftentimes get left behind. For people like adolescents, parents balancing childcare, or people coming out of incarceration who are at the highest risk of overdose. Harm reduction recognizes that recovery isn't a straight line. It's about meeting people where they are and walking with them forward. Conclusion:Microinduction is itself a harm reduction strategy. It lowers barriers by removing the need for painful withdrawal.When paired with a harm reduction culture in clinics, patients are more likely to enter care, stay engaged, and build trust with doctors for continued care. Managing opioid use disorder is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. But solutions like buprenorphine microinduction and harm reduction strategies are reshaping treatment—making it safer, more humane, and more accessible. If we embrace these approaches, we can turn barriers into bridges and help more people find recovery. Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you. Send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________References:Bluthenthal, R. N., Simpson, K., Ceasar, R. C., Zhao, J., Wenger, L., & Kral, A. H. (2020). Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, volume 211, 1 June 2020, 107932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107932.De Aquino, J. P., Parida, S., & Sofuoglu, M. (2021). The pharmacology of buprenorphine microinduction for opioid use disorder. Clinical Drug Investigation, 41 (5), 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-021-01032-7. Taylor, J. L., Johnson, S., Cruz, R., Gray, J. R., Schiff, D., & Bagley, S. M. (2021). Integrating harm reduction into outpatient opioid use disorder treatment settings. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 36 (12), 3810–3819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-06904-4.Theme song, Works All The Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/. 

Ed Mahon reported on a recent public meeting of a statewide panel responsible for determining how Pennsylvania will use millions of dollars from settlements with opioid makers and distributors. The funds are intended to help address the ongoing opioid crisis, but questions remain about how to balance immediate needs with long-term strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery. Meanwhile, Danielle Ohl reported on a cyber-attack that disrupted operations at the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office. Details of the breach are still being investigated, but officials said the attack raised concerns about the security of sensitive information and the resilience of the state’s digital infrastructure.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are pain patients treated like criminals, while people on Suboxone are celebrated as brave survivors?This isn't just stigma, it's a system. One that quietly rewrote the rules of who deserves compassion... and who gets discarded.In this video, we introduce a lens called Critical Drug Theory, based on Critical Theory, which helps explain how power, identity, and moral narratives shape public policy. It's a way to understand why people with addiction are often seen as victims in need of care, while stable pain patients are labeled as privileged or problematic, even when both need medication.We break down how these narratives gained power, how they've influenced opioid policy, and why the system was rigged to treat pain relief as dangerous, but daily addiction treatment as virtuous.This video gives language to something many patients have felt but couldn't name. It's not political, and it's not a conspiracy. It's just the truth about how we got here and who got hurt along the way.

Dr. Pouya Azar stops by the show to talk about his recent article Transition to Extended-release Buprenorphine Injectable Within Seven Days for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Narrative. He discusses the potential benefits of transitioning patients with opioid use disorder from traditional to extended-release or long-acting buprenorphine within 7 days or 24 hours, respectively, of treatment, as well as challenges and future questions that arose from his narrative review. Pouya Azar, MD, FRCPC, DABAM, is a clinician-scientist in addiction psychiatry and pain medicine based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He serves as co-medical manager of the Complex Pain and Addiction Service (CPAS) at Vancouver Coastal Health, a consult service providing management of pain, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders across Vancouver General Hospital, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Hospital, and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. He is also an assistant professor (tenure-track) in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, research scientist co-lead of the Substance Use Disorder Clinical Research Unit at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, and a physician at the Vancouver General Hospital Transitional Pain Clinic. Dr. Azar's clinical and translational research focuses on developing novel opioid agonist treatment initiation and withdrawal management protocols, medical devices, digital health apps, and prevention programs to improve patient outcomes. - Article Link: Transition to Extended-release Buprenorphine Injectable Within Seven Days for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Narrative

Calhoun County's opioid settlement funds - received from drugmakers in a settlement with many Michigan counties - are funding another round of grants to local non-profits.Calhoun County is slated to receive approximately $11 million in opioid settlement funds over the next two decades.Among the recipients: Life Recovery Programs at Battle Creek's The Haven of Rest, where just weeks before this discussion. Executive Director Daniel Jones appealed to the community amidst tough financial times that threatened the programs.Episode ResourcesCalhoun County Opioid Settlement Funds websiteCalhoun County Opioid websiteMichigan Association of Counties Opioid Settlement Resource CenterThe Haven of Rest MinistriesABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

The Battle Creek Alano Club intends to use opioid settlement grant funds to create a safer space for those Calhoun County residents in recovery.The 2025 grants total nearly $600,000 the county is receiving in a settlement with drugmakers. The grants go to local organizations "...working to prevent, treat, and reduce the impacts of opioid use," according to the office of the Calhoun County Administrator/Controller.The Alano Club of Battle Creek will receive $100,000 to support the Recovery Grounds Cafe, described as a "safe and supportive space for individuals in recovery."Alano Club Executive Director Dan Schell joins Community Matters to reflect on the progress the grant expects to provide - as well as an overall expansion of impact in the community.Episode ResourcesAlano Club of Battle CreekABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Aimee Moulin of the University of California Davis about her recent paper exploring a model for low-barrier treatment of opioid use disorder that could increase emergency department patient navigation and Buprenorphine use.Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast

Controversial social studies standards are getting put on hold.Oklahoma State wants to look into the pervasive species kudzu.Calls are growing for more transparency into opioid settlement money in local communities.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

Grow your management tools for opioid withdrawal in the hospital. Investigate how to decide between methadone and buprenorphine, additional medications to manage symptoms and how and when to use short-acting opioids for management of withdrawal. We're joined by Ashish Thakrar, MD at the University of Pennsylvania.  Claim CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org! By listening to this episode and completing CME, this can be used to count towards the new DEA 8-hr requirement on substance use disorders education. Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | iTunes | CurbsidersAddictionMed@gmail.com | CME! Show Segments Intro, disclaimer, guest bio Guest one-liner Case from Kashlak; Definitions Symptoms of opioid withdrawal Medications for the management of opioid withdrawal Buprenorphine precipitated withdrawal Starting Buprenorphine: Experiences and Strategies  Titrating Methadone: Dosage and Adjuncts Adjunctive short-acting opioids Emerging Trends in Drug Supply: Xylazine and Medetomidine Outro  Credits Producer, Show Notes: Zina Huxley-Reicher Infographics: Zina Huxley-Reicher MD and Zoya Surani Hosts: Carolyn Chan, MD MHS, Zina Huxley-Reicher MD, Shawn Cohen, MD Reviewer: Payel Jhoom Roy, MD, MSc Showrunner: Carolyn Chan, MD, MHS Technical Production: PodPaste Guest: Ashish Thakrar, MD MHSP Sponsor: Mint Mobile  Shop plans at MINTMOBILE.com/CURB Sponsor: Freed Use code: CURB50 to get $50 off your first month when you subscribe! Sponsor: FIGS  We've teamed up with FIGS, and now Curbsiders listeners can get 15% off. Just go to WearFIGS.com and use code FIGSRX.

About this episode: This July, a dangerous influx of opioids triggered two mass overdose events in the Penn North neighborhood of Baltimore. A swift and nimble response from the city and community stakeholders resulted in zero fatalities. In this episode: Dr. Letitia Dzirasa and Sara Whaley from the City of Baltimore explain what happened, detail the multipronged emergency response, and share how the city plans to move forward in addressing the opioid crisis. Guest: Dr. Letitia Dzirasa is the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services with the City of Baltimore. Sara Whaley, MPH, MSW, is the executive director of the City of Baltimore's Overdose Response Team. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Overdose Response Strategic Plan—City of Baltimore Community leaders, experts address Baltimore's overdose crisis—WEAA Baltimore mass overdose: 'Coordinated neighborhood stabilization response' launched in Penn-North—WBAL Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

Mississippi has been received tens of millions of dollars in opioid settlements each year since 2022, and the use of those dollars has been mostly a mystery. But a Mississippi Today investigation this summer found that of over $124 million the state has received, less than $1 million has been used by public officials to address addiction. Managing editor Kate Royals and mental health reporter Allen Siegler speak with Tricia Christensen, a nationally recognized leader in overdose prevention and opioid settlement spending from Tennessee, about how this compares to other states and what it means for Mississippians harmed by the overdose epidemic.   

When a company's values don't match its actions, the impact can be devastating. Kim and Amy speak with investigative journalist Gardiner Harris about his book, No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson. Harris uncovers how a company once seen as the gold standard of integrity used its famous “Credo” to build emotional trust while covering up harmful practices—from baby powder linked to cancer to its role in the opioid crisis. The conversation goes beyond one company, raising bigger questions about accountability, transparency, and the systems meant to keep us safe. It's a candid look at how misplaced trust can cause lasting damage—and what it really takes to create a culture where honesty and responsibility come first. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gardiner Harris No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson  The Weekly | A Secret Opioid Memo That Could Have Slowed an Epidemic | The New York Times A Devastating New Exposé of Johnson & Johnson Indicts an Entire System | The New Republic The Johnson & Johnson Cancer Drug Scandal That Encapsulates Corruption In Health Care | STAT News J&J Is Back On The Legal Warpath After Striking Out In Baby Powder Bankruptcy | Reuters Antipsychotic Drugs and Nursing Home Residents: What Do the Different Numbers Mean? | Center for Medicare Advocacy Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth  Physician Payments Sunshine Act (also known as the Open Payments program) Watch Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders | Netflix  Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Amy introduce Gardiner Harris, investigative journalist and author. (00:01:01) No More Tears Why Gardiner's book hasn't been widely covered by the media. (00:07:35) Hidden Dangers of Products Overview of Johnson & Johnson's vast range of dangerous products. (00:15:13) Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes How antipsychotics were pushed to sedate elderly patients. (00:16:58) Opioids & Corporate Responsibility The role Johnson & Johnson played in the opioid epidemic. (00:24:04) The Power of Branding & Emotional Trust The exploitation of emotional branding to avoid accountability. (00:27:28) Incentives, Conflicts, & Complicity How financial incentives corrupted doctors, researchers, and hospitals (00:39:12) Breaking Points & Speaking Up Stories about the individuals affected by Johnson & Johnson. (00:47:27) The Cult of the Credo How J&J weaponized its corporate credo to silence whistleblowers. (00:52:19) How J&J Got Away With It The ways J&J avoided accountability and hid decades of misconduct. (00:57:36) Tylenol, Safety, & the Illusion of Trust The FDA's inability—or unwillingness—to enforce safety despite evidence. (01:03:29) Hope, Oversight & Individual Action How individual action and awareness can drive systemic change. (01:08:10) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A viewer question prompts Chris and Sophie to look into scrambler therapy. A medical therapy for chronic pain with a silly name that sounds like it should be pseudoscience, but actually isn't. How is it different from Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)? How good is the evidence and how much of the benefit is actually a placebo response.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE  Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.  Editor:    Robyn Flynn Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.  References: 1)    2016 review of scrambler therapy for chronic pain https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3177-3 2)    2018 update https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735419845143 Key studies: Sabato (2005) – 226 patients: 80% had >50% pain reduction Marineo (2011) – RCT: 91% pain reduction in Scrambler group vs. 28% in controls Ricci (2012) – 82 patients: Mean pain scores dropped from 6.2/10 prior to treatment to 1.6 just after completing 10 treatment days to 2.9, 2 weeks after finishing treatment. Compagnone (2015) – 201 patients: pain went from 7.41 to 1.6 Notaro (2015) – All patients had ≥50% pain reduction; relief lasted ~8 weeks; sleep improved Pachman (2014) – 37 patients: 53% average pain reduction; effect lasted 10 weeks One ‘no results' study:  Campbell (2013) – 14 patients, RCT with sham control; no improvement—but team lacked experience, which may have skewed results.

Dan Buck talks with country western singer Mary Kutter about her song The Devil Wore a Lab Coat, a bold take on the opioid epidemic and the pharmaceutical industry's role in devastating small-town America. Kutter opens up about how Big Pharma targeted vulnerable communities, the kickbacks given to doctors, and the widespread addiction that followed.

While doctors are prescribing fewer and fewer opioids, there's one that's not going away – buprenorphine, often known by its brand name of Suboxone. Compared to other narcotics, it's harder to abuse. It's far less dangerous than the synthetic street drugs. And it reduces the risk of overdosing. But it's still an opioid that is very hard to get off of. The number of Tennesseans prescribed these opioids as addiction treatment jumped by 40% in just five years. As we look this week at all sides of a philosophy known as “harm reduction,” today we focus on access to the opioids meant to get us out of the opioid crisis.GuestsLeslie Cole, MD, addiction physician, Springfield, Tenn.Josh Draper, program manager, Sumner Prevention CoalitionTracy Frame, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice and director of the Flourish Mobile Clinic, Belmont UniversityChap Cuthbert, community response peer support, Mental Health Cooperative

American's are dying by overdose in record numbers, victims of the worst opioid addiction epidemic in history. In Mobile, Alabama two doctors are serving up heavy doses of the dangerous drugs. One drug the doctors prescribe is 50 times more potent than heroin and the multi-billion dollar drug company that makes it is paying them to push it. While both the drug maker and these doctors are unrelenting in turning patients' pain into enormous profits, some families of those who die hold the doctors responsible. (Original television broadcast: 3/5/2018) Want to binge watch your Greed? Full episodes and the latest news at: https://www.cnbc.com/american-greed/

Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, to discuss addiction as a brain disorder, treatments for opioid use disorder, and what's next in addiction research. Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs, which focuses on insights on the opioid crisis.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast

Paul Howe, COO of Protega Pharmaceuticals, is focused on how abuse-deterrent technology can address the opioid crisis and the need for mandates for insurance coverage of safer abuse-deterrent formulations. The SentryBond technology was specifically designed for immediate-release opioids to make it difficult to manipulate pills for abuse via crushing, inhaling, or injecting. Protega partnered with software company Opus to offer a program that helps educate chronic pain patients, manage their treatment, and provides physicians with risk stratification data to improve care and reduce the likelihood of abuse. Paul explains, "Most importantly from our standpoint is to protect from the risk of misuse, abuse, and diversion, which is escalation from orally taking medications to crushing, inhaling, injecting, or smoking. Unfortunately, when that escalation happens, many times patients end up on illicit fentanyl and heroin through the black market. So what we're trying to do is stop that escalation through our abuse deterrent technology and our medication. It's called SentryBond abuse deterrent technology, the company's Protega Pharmaceuticals."   "We also have a software program that we're now offering to physicians that deal and work with a lot of patients with chronic pain that really helps patients with chronic pain understand how to treat their pain and also titrate down off medications when possible, or at least get on the lowest possible dose and try multimodal care, try other types of avenues of procedures, different things they can do to help with their chronic pain." #ProtegaPharmaceuticals #PainManagement #ChronicPain #OpioidAbuse #OpioidPolicy #AbuseDeterrent. protegapharma.com Download the transcript here

Paul Howe, COO of Protega Pharmaceuticals, is focused on how abuse-deterrent technology can address the opioid crisis and the need for mandates for insurance coverage of safer abuse-deterrent formulations. The SentryBond technology was specifically designed for immediate-release opioids to make it difficult to manipulate pills for abuse via crushing, inhaling, or injecting. Protega partnered with software company Opus to offer a program that helps educate chronic pain patients, manage their treatment, and provides physicians with risk stratification data to improve care and reduce the likelihood of abuse. Paul explains, "Most importantly from our standpoint is to protect from the risk of misuse, abuse, and diversion, which is escalation from orally taking medications to crushing, inhaling, injecting, or smoking. Unfortunately, when that escalation happens, many times patients end up on illicit fentanyl and heroin through the black market. So what we're trying to do is stop that escalation through our abuse deterrent technology and our medication. It's called SentryBond abuse deterrent technology, the company's Protega Pharmaceuticals."   "We also have a software program that we're now offering to physicians that deal and work with a lot of patients with chronic pain that really helps patients with chronic pain understand how to treat their pain and also titrate down off medications when possible, or at least get on the lowest possible dose and try multimodal care, try other types of avenues of procedures, different things they can do to help with their chronic pain." #ProtegaPharmaceuticals #PainManagement #ChronicPain #OpioidAbuse #OpioidPolicy #AbuseDeterrent. protegapharma.com Listen to the podcast here

LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/ Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/ What if the natural cure you've been searching for has been buried under decades of propaganda and misinformation? In this episode of Dropping Bombs, I sit down with William O'Boyle – former college athlete, recovered addict, and founder of Meda Leaf Farms – to unpack the truth about CBD, CBG, hemp, and how these natural compounds are transforming lives. With RFK championing plant-based healing, they explore why hemp could be the key to real wellness.   William shares his powerful story of battling opioid addiction, overcoming a near-death experience, and how one gummy opened the door to a new life. Brad and William dive into CBD benefits for sleep, anxiety, ADHD, CTE, and pain relief, plus why the endocannabinoid system is one of the most overlooked parts of your health. They also expose the history of hemp criminalization, the industries that killed it, and why it's time to reclaim your health using plant-based medicine.  

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Policy Associate Sarah Sample sit down with Anne Arundel Deputy County Attorney Hamilton Tyler to unpack a local case now headed to the Maryland Supreme Court on September 9. At the center of the case: whether counties can bring public nuisance claims tied to the staggering costs of the opioid crisis.How did this case start? What does it mean for local governments footing the bill for abatement and recovery? And why is the state's highest court taking it up now? Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the legal journey, what's at stake for counties, and how the outcome could shape the way governments confront public health crises in the future.Follow us on Socials!MACo on TwitterMACo on Facebook

Picture this, a powerful synthetic opioid that quietly morphs into one of the nation's most lethal drug crises. A drug that can be slipped undetected into heroin, counterfeit pills...the nation's bloodstream. You've seen and may have even been touched by the devastating impact of fentanyl. And now, a different class of ultrapotent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are following an eerily familiar path. Just how dangerous are these drugs and where are they coming from? Dr. Gregory McDonald, chair of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, joins USA TODAY's The Excerpt to unpack those questions and more.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Brendan Saloner of Brown University about his recent paper exploring how scaling up opioid treatment and harm reduction programs could reach more people. Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast

"Literally with one prescription, it hijacked Christopher's brain and the addiction started." - Cammie Wolf Rice   Cammie Wolf Rice is the founder of the CWC Alliance, an initiative developed in response to the tragic loss of her son, Christopher, to opioid misuse. Her career is marked by a dedicated transformation of personal grief into a powerful healthcare campaign aiming to rectify systemic gaps in pain management and substance use prevention. Rice spearheaded the development of the Life Care Specialist (LCS) role in healthcare, a pioneering position designed to ensure comprehensive, trauma-informed care. Her efforts have been recognized as subjects of studies at Harvard Business School and endorsed in Georgia's House Study Committee on opioid alternatives.   Episode Summary: In this emotionally powerful episode of "Oh, My Health... There is Hope!" host Jana Short sits down with Cammie Wolf Rice, a remarkable advocate for opioid misuse awareness and prevention. The episode unveils Cammie's poignant journey following the unfortunate death of her son, Christopher, due to opioid addiction. Fueled by personal tragedy, Cammie established the CWC Alliance and introduced the Life Care Specialist role within healthcare settings to bridge crucial gaps in patient care, emphasizing trauma-informed pain management.   Throughout the conversation, key themes of addiction awareness, healthcare improvements, and alternative pain management come to the fore. Cammie speaks candidly about the moments that shaped her advocacy, detailing the challenges and breakthroughs in her mission. Central to the discussion is her written work, "The Flight My Opioid Journey," which offers support and resources to those affected by similar stories. The episode is a compelling reminder of the opioid crisis's impact on families while highlighting Cammie's persistent drive to ensure no other parent experiences the same loss.   Key Takeaways: Turning Tragedy into Purpose: Cammie Wolf Rice channels her grief over losing her son into proactive efforts to address opioid misuse, creating impactful change in healthcare systems. Introduction of the Life Care Specialist Role: This pioneering role in hospitals serves as a patient advocate, ensuring trauma-informed care and supporting patients with non-addictive pain management strategies. Educational Initiatives: Cammie's book and app recommendations aim to raise awareness and provide resources for substance misuse prevention, encouraging informed decision-making. Wider Societal Stigma: The discussion highlights the importance of overcoming the stigma associated with addiction to foster an environment of understanding and proactive care. Expanding Impact: The continuation of efforts to include life care specialists in more hospitals, backed by opioid settlement funds, showcases the ongoing work to improve healthcare responses to addiction.   Resources: Website: https://cwc.ngo/ https://cammiewolfrice.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cammierice/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cwcalliance ‌   Get a free subscription to the Best Holistic Life Magazine, one of the fastest-growing independent magazines centered around holistic living: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine. Get in touch with Jana and listen to more podcasts: https://www.janashort.com/ Show Music ‘Hold On' by Amy Gerhartz: https://www.amygerhartz.com/music. Grab your FREE gift today: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine Connect with Jana Short: https://www.janashort.com/contact/

On this episode of the VinnyRoc Podcast, Vincent Vargas sits down with John Ramsey, Senior R&D Manager at Diversified Botanics, to dive into a powerful conversation about natural medicine, CBD, kratom, and the dangers of 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7-OH). John, a veteran and former Army medic, shares his journey from the military to the hemp and CBD industry, explaining how natural remedies like CBD and kratom helped him avoid the destructive cycle of pharmaceutical painkillers. Together, Vince and John explore: The truth about CBD isolate and why it became a breakthrough in non-psychoactive relief. How the endocannabinoid system works and why our bodies are designed to receive cannabinoids. What kratom really is, its traditional uses, and how it differs from synthetic and dangerous 7-hydroxy extracts. The opioid epidemic in the military and how kratom may help support recovery. Why Diversified Botanics is fighting to eliminate 7-OH and create safe, transparent, third-party tested products. This episode is about cutting through the noise, misinformation, and stigma to give you a clearer picture of CBD, kratom, and the fight to keep natural remedies safe. If you want to support the petition to regulate and restrict 7-hydroxy, check the link here: https://www.change.org/p/protect-our-heroes-stop-the-deception-destroying-lives