Episode 32 - Let's Talk About Alcohol Myths and Misperceptions - Dr. Laura Kwako and Dr. Thekla Brumder Ross

My guests for this episode on alcohol myths are Dr. Laura Kwako and Dr. Thekla Brumder Ross from the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA)!

Dr. Laura Kwako, PhD, is chief of the Treatment, Health Services, & Recovery Branch (THSRB) in the Division of Treatment and Recovery at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).  Dr. Thekla Brumder Ross, PsyD, is a Clinical Psychologist and a Strategic Advisor to NIH-NIAAA.

I chat with Drs. Kwako and Brumder Ross about a range of topics during today's conversation, including:

- Is any amount of alcohol actively good for your health?  Or at least not harmful?

- Why don't alcohol-related public health issues receive the same amount of attention as other drugs of concern, like opioids and THC? How can we better raise awareness? 

- A recent study found that only 2% of patients who were admitted to a hospital for an alcohol-related concern received an FDA-approved medication for alcoholism.  Why do you think this is, and how do we change it?

- Data indicate that both patients and providers don't feel entirely comfortable talking about alcohol-related problems during medical visits.  Why do you think this is?  And how can we improve the situation?

- If someone is concerned and wants to change their relationship with alcohol, where can they begin?

And more!

My NIAAA guests referenced a *bunch* of resources during the podcast, including:

- Rethinking Drinking (self-evaluation): https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/
- Written self-evaluation guide: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/sites/default/files/Options-People-Thinking-About-Drinking.pdf
- Alcohol Treatment Navigator: https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/
- Healthcare Professional’s Core Resource on Alcohol (Free CME/CEU Hub): https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol
- Alcohol Policy Hub: https://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/

To get in touch and learn more about Dr. Kwako, visit her NIAAA profile page at https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/about-niaaa/our-staff/laura-e-kwako-phd.  Dr. Brumder Ross is available at her website at https://www.theklabr.com/