Episode 197: Inside the Fight: Taking on the Opioid Crisis Head-On w/ Dr. Stephen Loyd

Episode 197 of The Hitstreak, a podcast where we talk about anything and everything!  

This week we are joined by the Nationally Recognized Addiction Medicine Physician, Speaker, and Public Health Leader, Dr. Stephen Loyd!

Episode in a Glance:

In this episode, Dr. Steven Lloyd and I discuss the profound impact of addiction on individuals and communities, emphasizing the importance of recovery, the role of dental care in rebuilding lives, and the need for open conversations about addiction and its stigma. He highlights the opioid crisis, the dangers of fentanyl, and the significance of community support and faith-based initiatives in combating addiction. We also touch on the importance of personal stories in fostering hope and understanding, as well as the need for resources and non-judgmental approaches to support those in recovery.

Key Points:

- Smiles for Recovery provides essential dental care for those in recovery.

- Addiction has caused more deaths than all U.S. wars combined.

- The stigma surrounding addiction prevents open discussions.

- Genetics, trauma, and opportunity play significant roles in addiction.

- Dental health is crucial for rebuilding confidence in recovery.

- Shame can be a barrier to recovery but can also lead to humility.

- Parents should have open conversations with their teens about addiction.

- Fentanyl poses a significant risk, even in small amounts.

- Community efforts are vital in addressing the addiction crisis.

- There are more individuals in recovery than in active addiction.

About our guest: 

Dr. Stephen D. Loyd, M.D., is a nationally recognized addiction medicine physician, speaker, and public health leader. He serves as Medical Director at Cedar Recovery, New Hope Treatment Center, and The Next Door, and volunteers at Renewal House and Mending Hearts. A graduate of ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine, Dr. Loyd also teaches at ETSU and lectures at Vanderbilt. He’s a former Tennessee Assistant Commissioner for Substance Abuse Services and National Medical Director at Journey Pure. 

As a physician in long-term recovery, he brings personal insight to his advocacy for evidence-based treatment. Dr. Loyd has advised the DEA, FBI, and U.S. Attorney’s Office, and his story has been featured in NPR, CBS, The New York Times, and Dopesick, where Michael Keaton’s character was partly based on him. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a White House Advocate for Action award recipient. 

His mission: change how America sees addiction—and save lives.

Follow and contact:

Instagram: @drstephen_loyd

www.cedarrecovery.com

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