Addiction Care & Empowering the Non-Specialist

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Benjamin Lai, M.D.  Substance use disorders are chronic and often relapsing conditions associated with compulsive substance use. They result from a complex interaction of chemistry within the brain, often combined with genetic and environmental issues. Common substances involve alcohol, stimulants, sedatives and opioids; opioids commonly prescribed by health care clinicians. Early identification of patients and care coordinated with behavioral health specialists is the best approach to improved patient outcomes. The topic for this podcast is “Addiction Care and Empowering Non-Specialists”, and my guest is Dr. Benjamin Lai, A Family Medicine physician from the Department of Family Medicine at the Mayo Clinic.  We encourage you to consider attending the upcoming CME course, Essentials of Addiction Care: Empowering Non-Specialists 2026, taking place July 17–18, 2026 and led by Course Director Dr. Benjamin Lai. To learn more visit ce.mayo.edu.  Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development