MD For Moms Radio, Every Wednesday 1pm (ET) on The BBM Global Network, TuneIn and iHeartRadio or as a podcast on iTunes.
This week on MD for Moms, I interview Dr. Mina Hah, Addiction and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, about drugs of abuse. 17% of high school students are smoking cigarettes, drinking or using a drug of abuse during the school day. The most common drugs used are marijuana, prescription drugs such as opioids, cocaine, and ecstasy. Use of these drugs of abuse in maturing brains can cause life-long damage. Marijuana legalization gives the appearance of safety, yet there are various strains and forms that are anything but healthy and safe. How can parents prevent their children from using drugs and what are identifiable risk factors and pitfalls to be aware of?
The opioid crisis is sadly worsening with no clear end in sight; Dr. Hah will explore the origins of this issue, possible ways to address the problem and how parents can reduce the chance their children start using in the future. Where is the line between useful medication for pain control and drug of abuse? Who is to blame for the epidemic of opioid overdose and death and how can we as a society get control over this issue without demonizing pain patients who take these medications for control of their symptoms?
Alcoholism is more common than most of us realize. What defines alcohol misuse versus abuse? If one glass of red wine is healthy, when does drinking a bit too much become a problem? How can people who frequently drink one or two too many safely cut back on their alcohol intake? Dr. Hah will explain the answers to these questions and many more on this week’s MD for Moms.
Have a question for Dr. Mina Hah about drugs of abuse? Wondering about marijuana or alcohol? Do you or someone you know take pain medication and wondering if you need to stop? Call and talk to us LIVE on air: 866-451-1451
Learn more about my guest, Dr. Mina Hah:
Dr. Mina Hah graduated from Columbia University and completed her medical training at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She completed her residency training at the University of Pittsburgh and completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship and a research fellowship at Stanford University. Areas of research included the study of genetic risk factors for suicide in the pediatric bipolar population as well as depression in the autism spectrum population.