Hidden Struggles: The Reality of Pediatric Addiction with Dr. Siva Kaliamurthy

In 2023, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported significant rates of adolescent substance use: over 10% of 8th graders, nearly 20% of 10th graders and more than 30% of 12th graders used illicit drugs. With the ongoing fentanyl and opioid epidemic, the need for specialized pediatric addiction care has never been more urgent. Recognizing this gap, Children’s National Hospital launched one of the region’s few programs dedicated to pediatric addiction.

 

In this episode, our host, Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chief academic officer and chair of Pediatrics, is joined by Siva Kaliamurthy, MD, director of the Addictions Program at Children’s National to explore the challenges of treating addiction in children, the evolving role of parents and the latest advancements in addiction care. Plus, the unexpected career path these two doctors once considered—one that involved a different kind of team and a much larger arena.