In our latest episode, we dive deep into the fascinating neuroscience of addiction with one of the nation’s foremost experts, Dr. Susan Blank – a distinguished psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience revolutionizing addiction treatment.
Why This Episode Is Essential Listening:
- Discover why traditional psychiatric approaches often fail addiction patients
- Learn how the “three-legged stool” of genetics, environment, and exposure affects your vulnerability
- Understand the surprising connection between hormones and addiction recovery
- Explore the uncomfortable truth about performance-enhancing drugs like Adderall and Ritalin
- Gain insight into cutting-edge treatments, including the controversial potential of Ibogaine
- Revealing The Hidden Brain Science Of Addiction
“Addiction isn’t simply a failure of willpower – it’s a complex interplay of brain chemistry, genetics, and environmental factors that requires sophisticated, multi-dimensional treatment.” – Dr. Susan Blank
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, someone struggling with addiction, or simply curious about the fascinating science behind our brain’s reward system, this episode delivers powerful insights you won’t find anywhere else.
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Guest Biography
Dr. Susan Blank
Dr. Blank has over 20 years of experience in the field of addiction. She is the current Medical Director for Georgia Professionals Health Program which provides Georgia Professionals with initial triage, referral into evaluation, treatment quality monitoring, and care management of mental/behavioral health issues to include substance use disorders.
After obtaining her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, she completed a residency in Psychiatry and Neurology at Sheppard Pratt Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She also received training in Forensics at the University of Virginia. Because of an interest in addiction, its diagnosis and treatment, she undertook specialized training in Addiction Medicine at the Talbott Recovery Campus under the direction of Dr. G. Doug Talbott. Recognizing that the most effective treatment for a patient with the disease of addiction involves the whole body, she obtained additional training, and completed a Fellowship and Advanced Fellowship training in Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine.
Dr. Blank is Immediate Past President of the Georgia Society of Addiction Medicine. She was Co-Chair of the Medical Association of Georgia’s “Think About It” Campaign-providing education to Health Care providers about proper prescribing of opioids and other high-risk medications. She is also a past member of the Board of Directors for The Georgia Council on Alcohol and Drugs and “Let’s Be Clear Georgia”. Dr. Blank and Dr. Lori Karan co-authored the chapter on Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction for the ASAM Patient Criteria released in September 2013 and the ASAM Tobacco Guidelines in February 2022. Dr. Blank is a contributor to the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Opioid Prescribing Guidelines, published in March 2017 and 2024, and has been a member of the Technical Expert Panel for PCPI Preventive Care guidelines for Tobacco Cessation, Influenza Immunizations and Alcohol Screening.
Dr. Blank is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Addiction Medicine, The American Board of Preventive Medicine, subspeciality in Addiction Medicine, and the American Board of Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine. She is a Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Examiners, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a Distinguished Fellow of American Society of Addiction Medicine, a Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine and a Certified Medical Review Officer.
Dr. Blank is a distinguished speaker and lecturer at medical conferences and lay seminars throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. She has lectured over 200 times at medical schools, physician conferences, international meetings of physicians and other healthcare professionals and was an Associate Professor at the Penn State. She was in the active practice of addiction treatment and is recognized as a pioneer for her use of the most advanced techniques in the care of patients with the disease of addiction.
Show Notes from this episode
- Introduction and Guest Background 0:00
- Dr. Barrett introduces Dr. Susan Blank, highlighting her roles as Medical Director of the Georgia Healthcare Providers Association and her expertise in addiction medicine and functional medicine.
- Dr. Barrett provides a humorous introduction to the podcast, encouraging listeners to engage with the episode.
- Dr. Barrett welcomes Dr. Susan Blank and asks about her transition from traditional psychiatry to addiction medicine.
- Dr. Blank explains her interest in addiction medicine, her experience as Medical Director, and her training with Dr. Talbot at Talbot Recovery Campus.
- Transition to Addiction Medicine 1:41
- Dr. Blank describes her journey from practicing psychiatry to specializing in addiction medicine, driven by the increasing number of substance abuse cases in her hospital.
- She shares her experience attending a lecture by Dr. Talbot, who offered to train her in addiction treatment, leading to her three-and-a-half-year leave from the hospital system.
- Dr. Blank discusses her fascination with treating addiction, particularly in healthcare professionals, and her belief in the effectiveness of her current career path.
- She emphasizes the holistic approach to treating addiction, including managing co-occurring psychiatric disorders.
- Overlap Between Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine 4:30
- Dr. Barrett and Dr. Blank discuss the significant overlap between psychiatry and addiction medicine, noting that many psychiatrists are not well-trained in addiction.
- Dr. Blank explains that addiction is part of the DSM-5, but few psychiatrists receive adequate training in it.
- She highlights the common misconception that treating depression or anxiety will automatically reduce substance use.
- Dr. Blank stresses the importance of managing co-occurring psychiatric disorders alongside addiction treatment.
- Functional Medicine and Anti-Aging 7:51
- Dr. Barrett praises Dr. Blank’s additional training in regenerative medicine and anti-aging, noting its importance in treating patients holistically.
- Dr. Blank explains the impact of substances on the pituitary gland and the importance of addressing metabolic and hormonal issues in addiction treatment.
- She shares her experience with patients who had low hormone levels due to substance abuse and the need for comprehensive treatment.
- Dr. Blank discusses the benefits of functional medicine in improving patients’ overall health and reducing the risk of relapse.
- Challenges in Addiction Treatment 10:56
- Dr. Barrett and Dr. Blank discuss the challenges faced by physicians in treating addiction, including time constraints and the reluctance to dig deeper into patients’ issues.
- Dr. Blank explains the importance of recognizing and addressing the underlying causes of addiction, such as stress and poor coping mechanisms.
- She emphasizes the need for a personalized approach to treatment, considering each patient’s unique circumstances and needs.
- Dr. Blank highlights the importance of continuous screening and monitoring for addiction in chronic pain management.
- Genetic Predisposition to Addiction 14:07
- Dr. Barrett and Dr. Blank discuss the genetic predisposition to addiction, using the analogy of a three-legged stool with genetics, environment, and exposure as the legs.
- Dr. Blank explains that genetics play a significant role in addiction risk, with multiple genes contributing to vulnerability.
- She describes the importance of environmental factors, such as stress and early childhood trauma, in triggering addiction.
- Dr. Blank emphasizes the need for exposure to addictive substances for the disease of addiction to manifest.
- Behavioral Addictions and Coping Mechanisms 22:51
- Dr. Barrett and Dr. Blank discuss the concept of behavioral addictions, such as exercise and gaming, and their potential to replace one addiction with another.
- Dr. Blank shares an example of a patient with an exercise addiction who continued to exercise despite severe injuries.
- She explains the importance of balancing healthy coping mechanisms with the risk of developing destructive behaviors.
- Dr. Blank highlights the challenges of defining abstinence in behavioral addictions, such as eating disorders.
- Impact of Social Media and ADHD Diagnosis 26:08
- Dr. Barrett and Dr. Blank discuss the impact of social media and screen time on ADHD diagnosis, noting the increase in ADHD cases during COVID-19.
- Dr. Blank explains the difference between ADD and ADHD, with ADD being more about hyperactivity and ADHD being about distractibility.
- She shares her skepticism about the sudden diagnosis of ADHD in adults who have never been diagnosed before.
- Dr. Blank emphasizes the importance of a thorough evaluation and the potential for misdiagnosis in the current environment.
- Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Addiction 42:42
- Dr. Barrett and Dr. Blank discuss the use of performance-enhancing drugs like Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin, and their high addiction rates.
- Dr. Blank explains the higher dopamine spike with amphetamines, such as Adderall, compared to other stimulants.
- She describes the similarities between Ritalin and cocaine, leading to crossover use.
- Dr. Blank highlights the potential for doctor shopping and the dangers of using street drugs laced with fentanyl.
- Alternative Treatments and Ibogaine 47:13
- Dr. Barrett and Dr. Blank discuss alternative treatments for addiction, such as ketone esters and natural substances like caffeine and nicotine.
- Dr. Blank emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying issues like anxiety and depression to reduce the need for performance-enhancing drugs.
- They discuss the potential of Ibogaine as a treatment for addiction, noting its use in clinical studies and its reported side effects.
- Dr. Blank expresses caution about the long-term effectiveness of Ibogaine and the need for further research.
- Conclusion and Resources 56:14
- Dr. Barrett thanks Dr. Blank for her insights and invites listeners to explore more resources on her work and addiction treatment.
- Dr. Blank provides information about her current role as Medical Director for the Georgia Professionals Health Program and her podcasts on addiction.
- Dr. Barrett offers to include relevant links in the show notes for easy access to Dr. Blank’s resources.
- They conclude the episode with a discussion on the importance of addressing addiction and mental health holistically.
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