In this episode, Dr. James Baker, MD, MPH, describes his experience with addiction both as an emergency physician and as a father who lost his son, Macky, to an opioid overdose. Sharing Macky’s story throughout, Dr. Baker emphasizes the evolution of his own feelings toward those who suffer from addiction, from anger to gentle compassion, and shares what inspired him to write This Monstrous Obsession: Hard Lessons Learned About Addiction. Dr. Baker describes his experiences helping Macky access treatment and talks about the importance of medical training regarding addiction and the relationship between pain and overdose and death from opioids. Dr. Baker addresses the stigma surrounding addiction and shares his thoughts on the current and future state of the field of addiction medicine. He also offers advice for those who are or may be entering the field.

Dr. Baker is president of the Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine (MASAM), physician expert for the Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain (MCSTAP), associate medical director of Merrimack Valley Hospice, and assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Links:

James Baker

This Monstrous Obsession

Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine

Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain (MCSTAP)

This Mass. Doctor hopes his son’s addiction story can help others

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information.

The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.

Photo courtesy of Alice Pepplow