Treatment, Harm Reduction, & Examining Implicit Biases: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Fiori

#63: This week we welcome Dr. Michael Fiori, MD (he/him) from online mental health care provider Talkiatry to discuss the substance use disorder treatment space and his experience helping folks start and sustain recovery.

Although he began practicing in 1981, it wasn't until the year 2000 while shadowing a dual diagnosis practitioner that Dr. Fiori found his calling.  Thus ignited a life long mission to study and understand substance use disorder and how it interacts with mental health.

One of his greatest takeaways from this line of work: substance use disorder is NOT a "moral failing" and that this stigma and misunderstanding prevents folks from getting care.

In this episode:
- Working as a physician is a balancing act; one must stay open and receptive towards patients in their most vulnerable moments, but be careful to not burn out.
- Take care of yourself so that you can show up for others.
- We all carry prejudices and biases. It's imperative to examine our own thoughts and biases and understand how they may interfere with providing good care.
- A person experiencing substance use disorder is just as worthy of care as someone seeking treatment for a physical ailment.
- Acknowledging how we can provide better care to folks in treatment centers, particularly for non-male patients. We can always strive to make the space safer for all.
- When first contemplating getting sober, it may be an enormously daunting thought. Instead of measuring success on total abstinence forever, make it a goal to stay in treatment and be honest; two reasonable feats to strive for one day at a time.
- Dr. Fiori's advice: "This isn't your fault, but it is your responsibility... find someone you can trust to walk with you through this."

Check out Talkiatry, the online platform where Dr. Fiori currently provides care. Talkiatry's goal is to provide "human, virtual mental health care from doctors who take insurance."  

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If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis, the following resources can provide immediate help.*

If you are experiencing a medical/mental health emergency, dial 911.

• Dial 988 for the SAMSHA Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  Available 24/7
• Text “HOME” to 741-741 for the NAMI Crisis Text Line.  Available 24/7
• Dial 1-800-622-2255 to connect with a nearby treatment center & community resources through NCADD Hope Line. Available 24/7
• Call/text 1-844-326-5400 for The GSCA CARES Warm Line.  Answered by Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists with lived experience of SUD.  Available any day of the year, 8:30am-11pm EST

*Note: The resources listed are provided for informational purposes only.  This list is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement by The Phoenix or the Rise Recover Live Podcast.

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