In the latest of our 2023 Free Speech in Medicine speaker interviews, I chat with Dr. Julian Somers, a clinical psychologist and researcher who trained with Dr. Bruce Alexander of Rat Park fame. (If you don’t know about Rat Park, you’ll want to take a minute to read about it).
Julian’s life experience and training led him to work in the field of addictions. He has become an expert and important voice in the field of drug policy.
I learned so much from Julian during this discussion (you’ll notice it’s longer than my typical podcast). He describes the “Janus face” of addiction - how addiction is about devotion to something if it’s positive, but slavery when it’s destructive. He elucidates he “active ingredients” of a successful addiction treatment program.
If we really care about people who are addicted, truly see them as having potential, and really want to help them, then what should we do? Certainly more than giving them drugs and needles, and then patting ourselves on the back for our altruism.
Dr. Somers is one of the most important voices in this field and, like many truth-tellers who refuse to bow down to political forces in the age of “cancel culture”, he has paid a price for his efforts. We are flattered and blessed that he will be speaking at the Free Speech in Medicine 2023 conference, and I look forward to hearing more from him there. We hope you consider joining us.
Share this post