Humanizing Addiction Practice

131 Pages·2018·1.24 MB·English

by  Antoine Douaihy

Humanizing
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Blending Science and
Personal Transformation
Antoine Douaihy
H. Patrick Driscoll
123
Humanizing Addiction Practice
Antoine Douaihy · H. Patrick Driscoll
Humanizing Addiction
Practice
Blending Science and Personal
Transformation
Antoine Douaihy H. Patrick Driscoll
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh, PA
USA USA
ISBN 978-3-319-91004-8 ISBN 978-3-319-91005-5 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91005-5
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018944121
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To Neil Capretto whose gentle spirit, empathy,
generosity, and compassion healed
innumerable lives. R.I.P., Neil: you are
already missed.
—Antoine Douaihy
To the “Prof,” Harrison J. Pemberton, who
blended empathy and understanding into the
kind of pedagogy that has become for me the
inspiration for every teaching (and learning)
moment that I’ve been a part of since he
helped me decide on medicine and psychiatry
many years ago.
—H. Patrick Driscoll
Epigraph
“I find I am at my best when I can let the flow of my experience carry me….”
—Carl Rogers
vii
Foreword 1
Stories and science. As relational creatures, we are enthralled and inspired by sto-
ries of the experiences and adventures of our fellow travelers in life. As rational
creatures, we are captivated and intrigued by scientific findings that provide insight
into ourselves and our world. This book speaks to both these aspects of our person-
hood. It contains personal stories and scientific advances that address the challenges
faced by individuals dealing with addiction and by therapists seeking to help them.
The lead author, Antoine Douaihy, is a consummate and richly experienced
physician-s cientist-teacher of addiction medicine. He is ably assisted by a mentee
and colleague, H. Patrick Driscoll, who brings the important perspectives of one
newer to the field. Together, they have crafted a very readable and readily accessible
summary of what we currently understand about the nature of addiction, and
thoughtful and transparent travel logs of those who are on the journey to recovery
and of those who are helping them. I highly recommend it to anyone who seeks to
advance their abilities to understand and help those dealing with addiction.
David A. Lewis, MD
Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA
USA
ix
Foreword 2
This is an informative, insightful, and inspiring book that incorporates science, the
wisdom of many great thinkers, the experiences of individuals and family members
in recovery, and reflections of the authors’ struggles and successes as addiction
psychiatrists. Healthcare professionals and others will find many lessons from Dr.
Douaihy’s extensive knowledge, clinical savvy, and personal insights about his
work with patients and families who live with addiction and, in many cases, co-
existing psychiatric and medical disorders. He educates the reader about the major
findings from science and debunks some of the awful, negative myths about addic-
tion, its treatment, and recovery. The reader learns that there is hope for recovery
and that practitioners can make a significant impact if they overcome their personal
biases and negative reactions to individuals suffering from an addiction.
Numerous clinical stories evidence the emotional and spiritual pain, numerous
problems and struggles of patients and families affected by addiction, as well as
their growth, resiliency, and recovery. Despite the challenges posed by these com-
plex stories, Antoine shows that professionals can make a significant impact if they
are empathic, connect and “be with” patients by entering their world, and work col-
laboratively in an accepting and nonjudgmental manner. He conveys clearly that his
best teachers are his patients and their families. The book shows how he provides
hope to patients and family members who often feel despair and hopelessness, and
he shares meaningfully in their healing journey.
Antoine shows how he successfully blends the “art” of healing as a psychiatrist
with the “science” of evidenced-based interventions based on clinical trials. He
espouses the importance of religion and spirituality in addiction recovery for many
patients, shows there are many pathways to recovery, and understands the pain and
heartache of families and the need to consider the impact of addiction on them and
engage them in treatment and recovery. He conveys the important role of mutual
support programs for individuals with addiction and family members. He under-
stands how family systems impact patients and how patients impact the family sys-
tem by focusing on much more than symptoms or behaviors associated with an
addiction.
xi
xii Foreword 2
One of the many strengths of this book is Antoine’s self-disclosure about his
struggles in practice. Anyone who knows him would describe him as one of the
most knowledgeable, skillful, and effective practitioners they have ever met. Yet, he
does a remarkable job exposing his vulnerabilities, self-doubt, failures and weak-
nesses as a psychiatrist, and feelings of anger and disappointment at patients. His
“humanism” shines through, making this book more appealing and readable.
I have had the honor of meeting and working with many of the best thinkers
(researchers, clinicians, both) about addiction in our country from the top universi-
ties and health institutes. I can say that very few are as knowledgeable and skillful
as Antoine in clinical care, teaching, and mentoring, and in sharing their experi-
ences, facing their limitations, and becoming a more compassionate caregiver.
Antoine mentors professionals from numerous disciplines and is an exceptional
teacher who is well regarded and respected. I read many self-reflective statements
about clinical experiences of those he has mentored in clinical settings. All were
rich with self-disclosure of personal flaws, worries, and limitations. Yet, all showed
tremendous personal and professional growth in their ability to help a clinical popu-
lation often judged negatively by practitioners. I truly believe this book will educate
and inspire readers.
Dennis C. Daley, PhD
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, PA
USA
Humanizing Addiction Practice
How does one meld scientific expertise with the process of becoming an empathic
patient-centered healer? Drs. Douaihy and Driscoll offer an engaging story of their
own professional development, describing patient encounters that helped to shape
their humane approach to the practice of science-based addiction medicine. Evident
throughout the book is their contagious appreciation of the privilege of witnessing
firsthand so many journeys of recovery.
William R. Miller, PhD
Emeritus Distinguished Professor
of Psychology and Psychiatry,
University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, NM
USA
xiii