Dr. Drew Pinsky talks addiction ahead of speech at LCADA Way Pearls of Wisdom benefit Oct. 27

Dr. Drew Pinsky said he's looking forward to visiting Ohio to talk about an issue he knows very well: The disease of addiction. The celebrity physician will do so as the keynote speaker at The LCADA Way's annual Pearls of Wisdom benefit, recognition dinner and gala at Embassy Suites Rockside in Independence on Oct. 27. The LCADA Way is a private, nonprofit organization serving the wellness and addiction recovery communities in Lorain, Medina, Cuyahoga, Erie counties and the region. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021. Known widely as just "Dr. Drew," Pinsky has spent more than three decades as a practicing physician in numerous hospitals as well as an addiction and behavioral expert, author, TV and radio host, and now podcaster. He hosted a radio call-in show called Loveline from 1984 until 2016 and also a TV version on MTV from 1996-2000. He's written two books, been featured on numerous television shows, TV and radio talk shows, and even appeared as himself in a few major Hollywood films. In a phone interview with The Chronicle-Telegram this week, Pinsky said as an invited guest speaker sometimes you "hold your breath" when organizations or groups ask you to give speeches when you don't know their mission. But when it comes to The LCADA Way "I'm completely aligned with their mission, their philosophy and their approach," Pinsky said. "One-hundred percent aligned." The goal of the evening for Pinsky is to "enhance people's understanding of this common brain disorder" commonly called addiction or substance use disorder. The disease has a genetic basis but when you have an addiction "you have to at least like what these drugs do, you have to like that they work for you," he said. "The genetics are pretty clear and when you're in the midst of that brain disorder it makes you do horrible things," Pinsky said. And yet, he said, none of the more than 10,000 addicts Pinsky said he's treated over the years have ever mentioned the "stigma" associated with addiction — but their family members have, he said. "I've never treated an addict who mentioned 'stigma.' Family members mention stigma," Pinsky said. "The addicts don't feel stigmatized." When families come to him and say they'll "do anything" to help their loved one recover, Pinsky recommends they go to Al-Anon or a similar family support program, get a sponsor and commit to the effort. "Do this thing," he said he tells to family members of those battling addiction. "If you don't you're contributing to the demise of your loved one." Addiction also is a progressive disorder, so even if an addict is injecting heroin as "safely" as they can, "the neurobiological aspects get worse over time, so the behaviors get worse," he said. Pinsky said when treating addiction, it's important to listen to those who have the disease. They often become effective counselors or advocates for their fellow addicts. "I've been deep in it for 30 years," he said. "I do understand it exceedingly well, but if you're not a recovering person you can get sucked into the bull(expletive) really easily." There is no "magic bullet" to halt addiction, Pinsky said. "There's all sorts of things that need to be brought together," Pinsky said. "You need to provide structure, consequences, get loved ones in Al-Anon, medication-assisted treatment where appropriate, psychiatric care where appropriate." Comprehensive patient care also could involve psychiatric treatment, trauma counseling, vocational care or life skills training, he said. Recovery is "a long process" because addiction is a chronic condition, Pinsky said. And while many people believe stigma keeps people "from getting their head around" recovery, he said the real stigma is that brain diseases like addiction are treated differently than other diseases in the rest of the body. "The brain is an organ. It gets sick. We should not treat it any differently," Pinsky said. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveOBrienCT.