Substance Use Disorder - What it is and Signs to Look For

Substance Use Disorder: What it is, signs to look for and how to find help, featuring Michael Biscaro, M.D., Chief Psychologist at Summa Health

Substance Use Disorder - What it is and Signs to Look For
Featured Speaker:
Michael J Biscaro, PsyD, ABPP

Michael J. Biscaro, Psy.D., ABPP, has more than 22 years of experience providing direct clinical service and consultation in a variety of settings, including hospitals that service the community and veterans, community mental health centers, private practice, the criminal justice system, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Dr. Biscaro is chief psychologist at the Summa Health Behavioral Health Institute. Prior to this role, he was the vice president of behavioral health services for the Sisters of Charity Health System and the St. Vincent Charity Health Campus initiative where he oversaw the development of a pilot program to expand crisis services and longer-term recovery supports. He also served as the chief of behavioral health at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, where he assisted the medical center in re-designing and re-imaging one its core service lines, improving access to services, increasing philanthropy and grant funding, and implementing an outpatient mental health clinic.

Prior to his Sisters of Charity Health System roles, Dr. Biscaro served for 11 years as a supervisory psychologist and program director for mental health and peer support programs at the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center. He implemented one of the first Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) telehealth programs offering the full complement of services to veterans in the Akron area.

Dr. Biscaro earned his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from Xavier University in 2005 and completed a post-doctoral residency in clinical psychology at the Cleveland VA Medical Center with special emphasis in psychosocial rehabilitation of individuals who experience serious mental illnesses. Dr. Biscaro is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and board certified in forensic psychology.

Dr. Biscaro has consulted with various behavioral health programs and forensic clinics throughout the community to offer expert testimony, psychological evaluation, extend best practices, and improve training. He has a special interest in integrating healthcare for individuals who have complex problems in order to achieve positive health outcomes. He is skilled in working with people who experience serious and persistent mental illness, and offering motivational strategies to create behavior change. Dr. Biscaro is also well-versed in standards for program accreditation and has been trained in a variety of evidence-based practices.

Outside of Summary Health, Dr. Biscaro serves on the board of Olmsted All Pro Dad, a school-based program aimed at increasing male involvement in the schools, helping fathers and children build new relationships and improving ways to spend quality time together. Dr. Biscaro also loves spending time with his family, coaching his sons’ sports teams and being outdoors. He also is an avid Buffalo Bills fan.

Transcription:
Substance Use Disorder - What it is and Signs to Look For

Host: I'm here with Dr. Michael Biscaro, Chief Psychologist at Summa Health. Dr. Biscaro, what is addiction?


Dr. Michael Biscaro: Addiction is characterized by continued use of a chemical substance, like alcohol or drugs, but can also be the inability to stop engaging in repeated activity or behavior that negatively impacts your mental and physical health, like in gambling disorders. These problems are chronic brain diseases and alter your brain structure, making it extremely challenging to stop them on your own.


Host: What are the signs?


Dr. Michael Biscaro: Some signs to watch out for are not fulfilling obligations, recurring financial issues, withdrawal from family and friends, changes in eating or sleeping pattern, memory and concentration issues, worsening depression and anxiety, red eyes or frequent sick days, among many other things.


Host: How can you find help?


Dr. Michael Biscaro: Summa Health is here to help with a variety of treatment options, including an inpatient detox program, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient therapy, support groups, and medication-assisted treatments.


Host: To learn more, visit summahealth.org/addiction.