Duane Osterlind, LMFT
Duane Osterlind, LMFT
225: The Plight of Physicians Struggling with Addiction with Steven Orebaugh
225: The Plight of Physicians Struggling with Addiction with Steven Orebaugh
225: The Plight of Physicians Struggling with Addiction with Steven Orebaugh
Monday 20th March 2023
Anesthesiologist Steven Orebaugh discusses physician addiction and his novel, exploring opioid abuse in healthcare on The Addicted Mind Podcast.
35 minutes
informative
challenging
hopeful
empathetic
About this podcast
Author:
Duane Osterlind, LMFT
Overview:
Categories:
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Sobriety Toolkit
Recovery from Trauma
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Episodes:
478 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Physicians and Addiction: A Hidden Epidemic
Episode Overview
- Physician addiction is a hidden but prevalent issue.
- Opioid access in hospitals poses risks for anesthesiologists.
- Steven Orebaugh's novel highlights addiction challenges.
- The stigma and shame of addiction in healthcare professions.
- Importance of awareness and prevention in medical practice.
Nurture the healthy fear. Well said. Absolutely.
In this episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, host Duane Osterlind speaks with Steven Orebaugh, an experienced anesthesiologist and accomplished author, about the critical issue of addiction among physicians. The discussion revolves around Steven's insights from his career at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the inspiration behind his new novel, 'The Stairs on Billy Buck Hill.' The book delves into the life of an anesthesiologist who succumbs to opioid addiction, a scenario that is alarmingly common due to the easy access healthcare professionals have to powerful drugs.
Steven Orebaugh, who has published extensively in medical literature, explains how he has witnessed several peers' careers spiral due to addiction. He emphasizes that addiction does not always manifest in obvious signs, making it harder to detect among colleagues. As he recounts, even when anomalies in drug counts were noticed, the affected individuals rarely appeared impaired, underscoring the insidious nature of opioid addiction.
The conversation highlights the emotional toll of addiction, particularly the profound shame and guilt felt by physicians who are entrusted with patient care yet struggle with substance abuse. Steven discusses how his novel aims to shed light on these challenges and hopes it serves as a cautionary tale for medical professionals. The narrative also touches on the importance of nurturing a 'healthy fear' of addiction, promoting vigilance and proactive measures in clinical environments.
Steven's work, available on platforms like Amazon and through Sunbury Press, is designed to raise awareness and possibly prevent future tragedies within the healthcare sector. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast community, offering suggestions for future topics or guests who may provide additional insights into addiction and recovery.
Through this enlightening discussion, Duane and Steven aim to inform both the public and healthcare professionals about the realities of addiction in the medical field, fostering understanding and empathy for those affected.