My guests for this episode on alcohol myths are Dr. Laura Kwako and Dr. Thekla Brumder Ross from the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA)!
Dr. Laura Kwako, PhD, is chief of the Treatment, Health Services, & Recovery Branch (THSRB) in the Division of Treatment and Recovery at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Dr. Thekla Brumder Ross, PsyD, is a Clinical Psychologist and a Strategic Advisor to NIH-NIAAA.
I chat with Drs. Kwako and Brumder Ross about a range of topics during today's conversation, including:
- Is any amount of alcohol actively good for your health? Or at least not harmful?
- Why don't alcohol-related public health issues receive the same amount of attention as other drugs of concern, like opioids and THC? How can we better raise awareness?
- A recent study found that only 2% of patients who were admitted to a hospital for an alcohol-related concern received an FDA-approved medication for alcoholism. Why do you think this is, and how do we change it?
- Data indicate that both patients and providers don't feel entirely comfortable talking about alcohol-related problems during medical visits. Why do you think this is? And how can we improve the situation?
- If someone is concerned and wants to change their relationship with alcohol, where can they begin?
And more!
My NIAAA guests referenced a *bunch* of resources during the podcast, including:
- Rethinking Drinking (self-evaluation): https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/
- Written self-evaluation guide: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/sites/default/files/Options-People-Thinking-About-Drinking.pdf
- Alcohol Treatment Navigator: https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/
- Healthcare Professional’s Core Resource on Alcohol (Free CME/CEU Hub): https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol
- Alcohol Policy Hub: https://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/
To get in touch and learn more about Dr. Kwako, visit her NIAAA profile page at https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/about-niaaa/our-staff/laura-e-kwako-phd. Dr. Brumder Ross is available at her website at https://www.theklabr.com/
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.