Addiction Practice Pod

In this episode, host David P. Ball dives into the topic of managing benzodiazepine use in primary care. He’s joined by Bill Nelles, a former AIDS nurse and counsellor with lived experience of benzodiazepine use, and Dr. Megan Hill, a family physician with over 10 years of experience in addiction medicine. Together, they offer practical insights for care providers supporting patients to manage or reduce benzodiazepine use. Through real-world examples and grounded clinical advice, the episode highlights how structured, compassionate care can make a meaningful difference. Access the show notes here.

In this episode, David P. Ball speaks with Peer Support Specialist Chad Ellsworth and primary care addictions physician Dr. Jacob Sussman about what respectful, person-centred engagement looks like in substance use care. Drawing from lived experience and clinical practice, the guests share how small gestures of kindness and curiosity about a client’s motivations can build trust and support long-term connection to care. This episode highlights real-world experiences of navigating the health care system, the importance of goal setting, and the role that peers play in creating a welcoming and supportive environment in clinical settings.Access the show notes here.

In this episode, host David P. Ball speaks with guests Apollo Collin-Gray and Dr. Anees Bahji about how clinicians can engage youth in meaningful, non-judgmental conversations about cannabis in a post-legalization context. They explore why youth use cannabis, how stigma and barriers to health care shape youth choices, and what clinicians can do to create safer, more supportive environments to help youth achieve their health goals. Listeners will hear Apollo share personal experiences of navigating the health system and cannabis use as a young person, followed by Dr. Bahji offering clinical insight on how care providers can engage with young patients who use cannabis with curiosity and compassion. This episode highlights practical strategies for initiating conversations, discussing risks in age-appropriate and non-stigmatizing ways, and how to identify when additional services or treatment may be needed.Access the show notes here.

In this episode, journalist David P. Ball is joined by Dr. Marcus Greatheart, a family physician, registered social worker, and author. Together, they explore how clinicians can create safe and affirming spaces for trans and gender-diverse youth in substance use care by addressing systemic barriers, promoting trauma-informed approaches, and challenging fear-based narratives. They also speak with Toby and Alec, members of the Substance Use Beyond the Binary Youth Action Committee at the BC Centre on Substance Use. Drawing from their lived experiences with substance use and barriers to gender-affirming care, Toby and Alec offer valuable insights into navigating the healthcare system. Finally, David and Dr. Greatheart hear from family physician Dr. Andrea Moir, who shares lessons from her work providing gender-affirming care for young people. Dr. Moir discusses the impact of stigma, the importance of nonjudgmental approaches, and practical steps clinicians can take to foster more inclusive healthcare environments. We extend a special thank you to Christian Barborini for their dedication in supporting engagement with the Substance Use Beyond the Binary Youth Action Committee at the BC Centre on Substance Use. Their work was instrumental in facilitating the participation of Alec and Toby in this episode. Access the show notes here (https://bit.ly/APP-S5E5).

In this episode, journalist David P. Ball and rural generalist physician and current addiction medicine fellow, Dr. Alison Hamilton, discuss the most challenging and rewarding aspects of working in rural and remote communities. They also speak with Charlene Burmeister, former guest from Season 1, about how the Coalition for Substance Users in the North (CSUN) and other peer-led organizations are meeting the needs of drug users without stigma or judgement. Next, they speak with Juls Budau, former overdose prevention site (OPS) manager in Prince George, about an innovative approach to harm reduction. She also shares her story of opioid use and treatment. Finally, we hear from Jadyn Koldweihe, nursing practice consultant working with rural and remote First Nations communities in BC. Jadyn speaks to infrastructure and geographic barriers to effective substance use care, noting the importance of supports like Traditional Healers and Knowledge Keepers, outreach workers, and community champions. And she models person-centred, trauma-informed, and culturally tailored harm reduction and care.Access the show notes here (https://bcechoonsubstanceuse.ca/podcast/rural-and-remote-substance-use-care-and-innovation/).

In this episode of the Addiction Practice Pod, journalist David P. Ball and occupational addiction medicine physician and supreme court expert Dr. Deborah Kason discuss how to navigate substance use care for people working in construction and other safety-sensitive jobs. This type of work involves risks of harm to the worker, others, or property if proper safety precautions are not taken. They also speak with Greg Hemminger, who coordinates a harm reduction education program for construction workers called the Tailgate Toolkit and brings his own lived experience of opioid addiction and recovery. For a clinical perspective, they speak with addiction and occupational medicine physician Dr. John Koehn on how he helps his clients re-enter the workplace safely and the power of relationship building in this area of medicine.Access the show notes here (https://bit.ly/APP-S5E1).

In this episode, award-winning journalist David P. Ball and award-winning family physician Dr. Robert Fox speak with Kali Sedgemore, the president of the Coalition of Peers Dismantling the Drug War and a skilled harm reductionist with a focus on supporting youth. Kali is from 'Namgis First Nation, a small remote island off of Vancouver Island North, and Dr. Fox is a member of the Blood Tribe in what's colonially known as southern Alberta. Together, they discuss reasons for youth substance use and considerations for providers when meeting and caring for young people who use drugs. Kali also speaks to the intersection between Indigenous identity and safer access to substance use care, and about the strengths and resilience of youth.You can find additional resources and clinical pearls in the show notes, including the article on youth harm reduction calls to action mentioned in the episode: bit.ly/APP-S4E5 (https://bit.ly/APP-S4E5)Art by Satsi Naziel (https://www.satsinaziel.com/)

Addressing the health needs of individuals in remote and rural Indigenous communities, as well as Indigenous people living in urban areas, requires a shift from Western-centric solutions. To emphasize the diversity of Indigenous Peoples, tailored and culturally-relevant approaches are crucial. This can include mobilizing peer and family support, recognizing the significance of culture, Elders, spirituality, and building community capacity through sustainable funding of Indigenous-led programs. In this episode of the Addiction Practice Pod, award-winning journalist David P. Ball and family physician Dr. Esther Tailfeathers discuss the realities of substance use care in Kainai Nation, a rural community where Dr. Tailfeathers works. We also hear from Helen Knott, award-winning author and founder of Indigenous wellness program Fierce With Heart, about her own healing journey and relationships to substance use, the land, and health care systems. You can find additional resources and clinical pearls from the episode in the show notes: bit.ly/APP-S4E3 (https://bit.ly/APP-S4E3)Artwork by Nevada Lynn (https://nevadalynn.com/)

The ongoing impacts of colonization continue to affect the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples, evident in the disproportionate rates of toxic drug poisonings and deaths experienced by Indigenous people as compared to non-Indigenous people. Addressing the harms related to substance use in these communities involves acknowledging and reducing the harms of colonialism, while emphasizing and building upon the strengths and resilience of Indigenous Peoples. In this episode of the Addiction Practice Pod, award-winning journalist David P. Ball speaks with the Medical Officer of Mental Health and Wellness at First Nations Health Authority, Dr. Nolan Hop Wo, on how colonialism and substance use are related. We also hear from Lacey Jones, Program Director of QomQem Coastal Connections, on strengths-based approaches to reducing the harms associated with colonialism. You can find additional resources and clinical pearls from the episode in the show notes: bit.ly/APP-S4E1 (http://bit.ly/APP-S4E1)Artwork by Brianna Bear (https://briannabearart.bigcartel.com/)

Prescribed safer supply aims to provide access to a legal and regulated supply of drugs, in order to reduce the risk of harms and death associated with using the increasingly toxic unregulated drug supply. In this episode of the Addiction Practice Pod, Dr. Marcus Greatheart and journalist David Ball discuss prescribed safer supply with guests who have on-the-ground experience. First, we hear from harm reduction nurse educator Corey Ranger, on the concept of a “safer supply”, and steps clinicians can take to make prescribed safer supply programs more effective. Corey also shares some lessons learned from participants at the Victoria SAFER Initiative, a prescribed safer supply program in Victoria, BC. From Safer Opioid Supply (SOS) in London, Ontario, Dr. Andrea Sereda discusses the importance of listening to your client’s needs when it comes to their substance use, including what they need to reduce their reliance on the unregulated supply, and shares some preliminary data from SOS. We also hear from the co-founder of the Coalition of Substance Users of the North (CSUN), Jenny McDougall, on the importance of providing lower-barrier care options for individuals who are experiencing harms from the unregulated drug supply. We'd love to hear your feedback after the show. Find our evaluation, along with our show notes, here: bit.ly/APP-s3ep5 (https://bit.ly/APP-s3ep5)

Through providing small doses of alcohol to clients regularly, managed alcohol programs reduce the risks associated with heavy drinking and non-beverage alcohol consumption without requiring abstinence. In this episode of the Addiction Practice Pod, Dr. Marcus Greatheart and David Ball talk with public health researcher and executive director of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, Brittany Graham, about the purpose of managed alcohol programs and how they fit into the continuum of care for alcohol use disorder. We also hear from harm reduction advocate and peer leader, George Sedore, about what led him to join a managed alcohol program and how this has impacted his life. We'd love to hear your feedback after the show. Find our evaluation, along with our show notes, here: bit.ly/APP-s3ep4 (bit.ly/APP-s3ep4)

Individuals and communities in BC are facing an increased risk of stimulant-related harms. Stimulant use can cause significant harms on its own, including negative cardiac and mental health outcomes. In the context of the unregulated drug supply, toxic drug poisonings can occur due to contamination of stimulants with opioids and other substances.In this episode of Addiction Practice Pod, Dr. Marcus Greatheart and David Ball talk with addiction psychiatrist Dr. Julius Elefante about harm reduction and treatment for stimulant use disorder. We also hear from the executive director of UNDU, Katt Cadieux, on the importance of trusting your patient and building a care plan based on their lived experience.We'd love to hear your feedback after the show. Find our evaluation, along with our show notes, here: bit.ly/APP-s3ep2 (https://bit.ly/APP-s3ep2)