OPEN ACCESS, OPEN MIC WITH DR ROBERT HEIMEROPEN ACCESS, OPEN MIC WITH DR ROBERT HEIMER
Open Access, Open Mic
Dr. Robert Heimer discusses non-judgmental addiction interventions and the success of needle exchange programs in reducing HIV transmission.
33:32•28 Dec 2022
Breaking Down Barriers: Dr. Robert Heimer on Non-Judgmental Addiction Interventions
“There are so many social determinants and external forces that promote unsafe drug use that I prefer to differentiate drug use into non-problematic versus problematic, and it's when that use becomes problematic that I think it's important that open access programs like the apt foundation are around to meet people where they're at in a non-judgmental way.”
Ever wondered how a simple needle exchange program can save lives? In this episode of 'Open Access, Open Mic', Dr. Robert Heimer, a Professor of Epidemiology and Pharmacology at Yale School of Public Health, dives into his extensive research on the impacts of injection drug use. From reducing HIV transmission to the broader opioid crisis, Dr. Heimer sheds light on the importance of intervention programs that prioritize health over judgment.
He discusses the APT Foundation's open-access model, which meets people where they are, offering a compassionate and effective approach to treatment. Dr. Heimer also tackles the often overlooked but critical need for a holistic approach to substance use and mental health issues. His insights on the criminalization of personal drug use and the importance of defining patient stability in a user-friendly way make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in addiction recovery.
Whether you're directly affected by substance use or simply curious about innovative treatment methods, Dr. Heimer's perspective offers valuable takeaways.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.