This week the show is on 12 Step programs (Alcoholics Anonymous, NA, etc.). Glenhall Taylor, MD, a physician at Gracer Medical Group, is a board certified psychiatrist and addictionologist. Marcia Jacober, LMFT is a therapist at Gracer Medical Group who specializes in the treatment of addictions. Together with Dr. Gracer they will explore the strengths and weaknesses of 12 step programs and how you can use them to support your recovery. Al-Anon, the support group for the families of addicted persons, will also be covered.
This week Dr. Gracer focuses on the special needs of adolescents who use drugs. This is a free ranging discussion with Jeri Stegman, MA, RAS, the Program Director of Gracer Behavioral Health Services and Marcia Jacober, MFT, who is a new therapist at the clinic and a specialist in adolescent care. This show is important for any parent or concerned adult who deals with teens or who has questions as to what is happening in our schools. Some new information about marijuana is also discussed.
This show is about breast cancer risks and prevention. Dr. Gracer interviews Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, a well-known dietary expert who reviews a recent study that you will find informative and fascinating. Ms. Drayer discusses data, which shows that vitamin D deficiency is a major risk of breast cancer; alcohol consumption is also a major risk factor. Ms. Drayer also highlights some of the major things that women can do to reduce their risk. Dr. Gracer then reviews many other factors that also effect cancer risk. Join Dr. Gracer for what will be a fascinating interview.
This is first of two very interesting shows, which cover the vitally important area of DUI. This first show looks at the extent of the problem, the courts, and the programs that convicted drivers must complete. The second will delve into the educational and treatment programs themselves. This week Dr. Gracer’s guests are Creg Datig, the Director of the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program of the California District Attorney Association and David Wallace, The Director of the National Center for DWI Courts. Mr.
This is the second of two shows on Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). The first show, which played last week, concerned the courts and legal side of the problem. This show is about the educational and treatment programs that convicted offenders must attend. Teri Kerns is the Director of Operations, Direct Clinical Services of The Mental Health Network (MHN), which is the largest provider of DUI programs in the State of California. Barbara Aday-Garcia and Michealine Flower who have a combined time of 38 years in treating convicted offenders, will add their practical expertise and perspective.
This week Dr. Gracer’s guest is Marcia Jacober, MFT, lead therapist at Gracer Behavioral Health Services. Marcia is an expert on the use of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) in the treatment of pain, addiction and mood problems, including PTSD. It works very well for headaches, other pain, as well as anxiety and drug cravings. It involves affirmations and a simple tapping technique, which is amazingly effective. Find out how you can use this easy technique to feel better.
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In this show, Dr. Gracer is joined by David Gildea, Director of Intensive Outpatient Treatment and Jeri Stegman, Program Director at Gracer Behavioral Health Services. They discuss the new Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Gracer Medical. The IOP is a 9 hour per week program that lasts seven weeks. Participants learn about addiction and are heavily supported in their mission to stay off of drugs. They discuss many aspects of treatment and the importance treating the whole person. This is an interesting show that will teach you much about the process of addiction treatment.
Tom Coderre is the national field director for Faces and Voices of Recovery. During this show Dr. Gracer and Mr. Coderre look at the efforts in the US Congress to pass the “parity” bill that would make it mandatory for health insurance to cover mental health and addiction problems the same way that they cover medical problems, as well as an outreach program to over 200 local organizations across the country through Recovery Voices Count to help them organize effective communication to their communities and governments.
In this show Dr. Gracer interviews Andrea Charlton Pritchett, DC. Dr. Pritchett is an expert in the chiropractic technique of NUCCA, in which attention is focused on the upper most cervical segment (the atlas). By treating this area the entire spine is corrected, improving body function and reducing pain. This may not seem logical, but a recent study on its effects on high blood pressure done at the University of Chicago showed significant improvement. Hear about this interesting subject and see if you can get help for your problems in this way.
Chris Cutter, PhD This week Dr. Gracer is joined by Chris Cutter, PhD. Dr. Cutter is a researcher at Yale’s addiction clinic, who is developing methods of delivering psychotherapy that will improve patient results and be teachable to other therapists. The basic tenets of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and the use of empathy are reviewed. This whole area should be of intense interest to all who are involved in the treatment of substance dependence as either client/patient or therapist.
David Love This week Dr. Gracer’s guest is David Love, founder and Director of Valley Community Counseling Services in Stockton, California, about 1½ hours’ drive east of San Francisco. This non-profit organization provides mental health services throughout San Joaquin County, including locales in 50 schools. They treat all aspects of mental health problems, including substance abuse. David has created a unique and powerful organization that should be a model for other areas to use in creating their own programs.
This week Dr. Gracer interviews Leni Felton, Certified Clinical Nutritionist. Leni works at Gracer Medical Group where she evaluates our patients for underlying nutritional problems that can cause disease and which certainly must be corrected for optimal clinical results and health. This interview is very special with discussion on problems ranging from adrenal exhaustion to the severe post-traumatic stress that affects so many of our returning Middle East veterans.
A New Prescription for Health This week Dr. Gracer interviews Alon Marcus, DOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), an associated practitioner at Gracer Medical Group. Dr. Marcus specializes in the treatment of pain and addiction issues and has a unique and comprehensive approach to patient care. He has written three books, including his 800+ page text, Foundations for Integrative Musculoskeletal Medicine, An East-West Approach.
Andrew Martin, Serene Center This week Dr. Gracer’s guest is Andrew Martin, the founder and director of the Serene Center in Long Beach, California. The Serene Center is a unique locale, which is a combination of transitional living and sober living environments. Residents get a unique type of support that includes life skills training, therapy, and even 12 step programs on site. Hear how this type of facility is changing how we treat substance abuse for long term success.
Brent Moore, PhD This week Dr. Gracer interviews Brent Moore, PhD., a researcher at Yale’s addiction treatment program. Dr. Moore is developing methods to increase the effectiveness of treatment for marijuana abuse and dependence. What you can expect if you quit marijuana and some of the latest ideas for the treatment of this common problem are highlighted. Don’t miss this show if you have a problem yourself, or have a friend or family member with a marijuana problem.
Bruce Lundrigan, MSW This week Dr. Gracer interviews Bruce Lundrigan, MSW. Bruce is a patient at Gracer Medical Group who decided to come to California from Pennsylvania for evaluation and treatment. His story is typical and very instructive
On this show Dr. Gracer interviews Chip Fisher, the president of Fisher Wallace Laboratories and the manufacturer of the Fisher Wallace Cranial Stimulator. This device treats patients with cranial electrical stimulation (CES) and is FDA approved. It is indicated for the treatment of Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety and Stress. .This makes its use important in pain and addiction problems. This device is safe and easy to use in the health practitioner’s office or home.
David Crane, MD is one of the pioneers of using the body’s own healing power to cure tendon, cartilage, and ligament problems through the use of platelet rich plasma (PRP), in which the growth factors in a patients own blood are concentrated and injected into the exact area of injury. He is even researching the use of a patient’s own bone marrow as a source of stem cells to repair spinal cord injuries!
This week Dr. Gracer interviews Deborah Gildea, Director of Community Rehabilitation and Education Services (CRES) in Modesto, California. CRES is a unique residential sober living environment in which men recovering from substance abuse learn to rebuild their lives. At CRES clients can develop over months and even years until they are able to leave and lead normal, productive lives. This is a piece that is missing from almost all treatment programs and is vital for success.
This week Dr. Gracer’s guest is Dmitry Arbuck, MD, founder of Meridian Health Group in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Arbuck is a pain specialist and psychiatrist who specializes in innovative new treatments and in the treatment of complex patients. This discussion covers the basis of chronic pain, its treatment, and some of the new medications that will help deter drug abuse.
A New Prescription for Health Welcomes Frank Shallenberger, MD. This week Dr. Gracer discusses bio-oxidative medicine with noted expert Frank Shallenberger, MD. Dr. Shallenberger is the founder of the Nevada Center in Carson City, where he treats patients with problems ranging from chronic fatigue and pain to Lyme disease. Medical ozone and the use of hydrogen peroxide are discussed. Dr.
If you want to know the latest research and developments in the treatment of drug addiction and what new treatments to expect in the future, do not miss this show! Dr. Gracer interviews Frank Vocci, PhD., of the Medications Development Program at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) where he is currently the Director of the Division of Pharmacotherapies and Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse. Learn more about how buprenorphine helps patients conquer opiate addiction. Also, do not miss the special “Bonus” interview file that will be available in the archive in which Dr.
This week Dr. Gracer welcomes Gottfried Kellermann, Ph.D., a foremost authority on assessment and treatment for neurotransmitter related health conditions. These problems include depression and anxiety, as well as addiction and pain. Dr. Kellermann’s lab analyses urine samples to check the levels of serotonin, epinephrine, dopamine, and many other related compounds. This allows health practitioners to see and treat deficiencies that may cause significant symptoms. Find out if this type of treatment can help you feel better.
This hour Dr. Gracer interviews Hyla Cass, MD. Dr. Cass, a board certified psychiatrist, has written nine books, which deal with nutritional treatments for a better life, as well as for specific medical problems. She is noted expert on using nutritional strategies and supplements to treat psychiatric, pain, and addiction problems. Her latest book, Supplement Your Prescription, describes how we can use nutritional strategies to make medications prescribed by your doctor work better, but also how to decrease side effects and other health risks that medications often bring.
The Honorable Robert P. Ziemian is a Justice of the Massachusetts Trial Court, in Boston and a pioneer and thought leader in the very important area of drug courts, where treatment replaces incarceration. He is Dr. Gracer’s guest this week. Judge Ziemian appeared on the recent HBO drug addiction special and will share his insights and experience with various treatment modalities that help drug users get clean and stay clean.
Kathleen Gargano, RN of the Yale Addiction Clinic This week Dr. Gracer and Kathleen Gargano, RN of the Yale Addiction Clinic discuss treatment of opiate addiction with buprenorphine (Subutex, Suboxone). (These drugs include prescriptions such as Vicodin, Norco, and Oxycontin, as well as methadone and morphine). Some of the problems that patients face as well as what they should expect during their treatment are thoroughly covered. This show is important for anyone who is considering this treatment option.
Larry Smith, DC, the author of Embracing the Journey of Recovery, visits with Dr. Gracer. Dr. Smith, himself in recovery, found his way to health and happiness through a balance of spiritual discovery (mind, body and spirit), diet, exercise, and 12 step programs. He feels that just going to meetings and staying sober is not enough to fully live life. Listen to his story and wisdom in this remarkable interview.
On this show Dr. Gracer welcomes, Len Saputo, MD, the founder of the Health Medicine Forum and director of the Health Medicine Center, in Walnut Creek, California. Dr. Saputo is a leading thinker in the concept that the Mind, Body, and Spirit are integrally connected. How this concept influences his approach to such problems as chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia is fascinating. Don’t miss this interview!
This hour Matt Torrington, MD is Dr. Gracer’s guest. Dr. Torrington is the medical director of the Prometa Center in Santa Monica, California and a clinical research physician at UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs. He is a noted expert in addiction research and recently appeared on 60 Minutes on CBS. Drs. Torrington and Gracer will discuss new medical treatments for cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol addiction, including the Prometa protocol. Patients who have been treated with this treatment will be interviewed.
Preston Fordstom joins Dr. Gracer. Preston is the founder of the San Francisco Recovery School (sfrecoveryschool.com), a unique program that teaches addicts how to stop using and how to view the world in a more healthy way. This approach fits right in with the Gracer Medical Group philosophy. This is a very interesting discussion that you will enjoy and think about.
Ross Hauser, MD is a thought leader in the area of regenerative medicine. He has written eight books on prolotherapy and sports medicine, in which he tells readers how to stimulate their own healing powers to get rid of their pain. This interview will explore an area of medicine that is not familiar to many of us, but which can be life changing for many of us. If you have any pain issues, this show is a must listen!
During this special show Dr. Gracer, Steven Peterson, LCSW, the program director at the clinic, and the staff of Gracer Medical Group discuss actual patient cases and outline the therapy and counseling techniques that have led to the extremely high success rates at the clinic (75% success for methamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol; 86% for opiates after at least one year of treatment)
On this show the therapists at Gracer Medical Group join Dr. Gracer to discuss new programs and approaches that the group is developing. The concept of a continuum of care within one program that includes detox through long term sober living environment and the importance of a family program are emphasized. How this has worked in a case is also presented.
On this show meet Tim Lepac, co-founder of NAABT, the National Alliance for the Advancement of Buprenorphine Treatment. Tim’s website is instrumental for educating patients and health care providers on the benefits of this groundbreaking treatment for opiate addiction. NAABT.ORG sponsors a matching system for patients and physicians, as well as for counselors, who are skilled in buprenorphine treatment. Join Dr. Gracer for what will be a fascinating interview.
Italian medicine This is the first of at least two Italian shows. This week Dr, Gracer interviews Professor Joyce Mamon Alexandre of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Alexandre is an expert in public health and has lived in Italy for 20 years. Also interviewed is Professor Adolfo Alexandre, a full professor in biochemistry at the University of Padua School of Medicine in Padua, Italy. The differences in the medical systems in the USA and Italy as well as other diverse areas such as childhood obesity and medical ozone are covered.
Marijuana use is extremely common in our society, and is particularly dangerous for those who start using it under 18 years of age. During this hour Dr. Gracer interviews Timmen Cermak, MD, President- Elect of the California Society of Addiction Medicine and the author of Marijuana What's a Parent to Believe. After this Dr. Frank Vocci, the Director of the Division of Pharmacotherapies and Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse at the National Institute on Drug Abuse comments on the latest research and possible future treatments for this common and serious problem.
This week Dr. Gracer interviews Beth, a patient at Gracer Medical Group, highlighting the use of micronaltrexone to handle opiate side effects. Many patients take opiate drugs such as morphine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco), oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid) in ever increasing doses, but their pain does not improve. In fact, for many it actually gets worse. This is due to the complex nature of the opiate receptors and the fact that they are not simple on/off switches.
Gracer Medical Group provides cutting edge, holistic, comprehensive treatment for pain and addiction issues. Meet the practitioners who make this possible. In this show Dr. Gracer will explore the different methods that he uses at his clinic with help from Steven Peterson, LCSW, CADC III, who is the Program Director at the clinic, Alon Marcus, DOM, who provides Chinese medical treatments, and Leni Felton, CCN, who is the clinic certified nutritionist. This show will provide an overview of some of the advanced treatments used at Gracer Medical, such as Suboxone and the Prometa Protocol.
This week Dr. Gracer interviews Jim Paoletti, RPh, FAARFM, Director of Provider Education of ZRT Lab and expert on bio-identical hormone testing and replacement. Bio-identical hormones are the same compounds as those found in the body, such as estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA. Through convenient testing of saliva, active levels of these and other hormones are easily determined. Treatment of any hormone deficiencies found can make a huge difference in how you feel and in your general health.
This hour Dr. Gracer will interview patients who take Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) for opiate dependence and pain management. Several interesting aspects of this unique medication including the drug’s effect on depression and the different strategies needed for optimal results with various patient types will be covered. If you are interested in buprenorphine, do not miss this show.
This week Dr. Gracer covers “pseudoaddiction”, a too common condition in which a true pain patient is undertreated and starts acting just like an addict. They need more medication than what is prescribed and land up in their doctor’s office early asking for more medication or in the ER. They may even start “Doctor Shopping”. Many land up in rehab and still have their severe pain. Doctor Gracer interviews Stan, one of his patients, who suffered greatly from this problem.
Dr. Gracer and Jeri Stegman, Program Director at Gracer Behavioral Health Services, discuss The Rip Van Winkle Effect, which describes what happens to a chemical dependency patient when they “wakeup” after a long time of drug use. When people use drugs, it becomes their prime, and often only, coping mechanism. If they start in high school, they may not learn many basic life skills and social norms. When they start recovery they find themselves confused, often angry, and without any way to deal with their feelings.
Smoking-2 This is the second of two shows on quitting smoking. This week the show covers how to stop smoking. Marcia Jacober, MFT, the lead therapist at Gracer Behavioral Health Services and Dr. Gracer review the best ways to quit. Actual patients are scheduled to participate and through their experiences we hope that you will get ideas on how to stop yourself. The GMG CutOutSmoking program will be described along with practical things that you can do to stop
- Smoking -1 This and next week’s show the cover the thorny problem of quitting smoking. This addiction is widespread and kills more of us than any other. Marcia Jacober, MFT, the lead therapist at Gracer Behavioral Health Services, has a special interest in this subject, especially in the problem of those in recovery who still smoke. The dangers of smoking and how it addicts so many of us, along with the types of treatments that are available will be covered on this first show.
This show features Dr. Gracer and Jeri Stegman, Director of Gracer Behavioral Health discussing new information on teenage alcohol and marijuana use. These figures show how parents can directly affect the use of these drugs by their kids. Parents will find this shoe interesting and important.
