Selected Podcast

EP 959B - Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World

Opioid addiction is fast becoming the most deadly crisis in American history. It's estimated that 130 Americans will die from an opioid overdose every day.

Yet, opiates are still very important in medical use.

How did we get to such a disconnect between the two ends of this spectrum?

John Halpern, MD, describes how we got here in his book, Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World, co-authored with David Blistein. Dr. Halpern joins Dr. Roizen to share insights from the book and explain how severe the opioid crisis really is.

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EP 959B - Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World
Featuring:
John H. Halpern, MD
John H. Halpern, MD, a psychiatrist in private practice, previously served as medical director of the Boston Center for Addiction Treatment, the largest substance-use disorder hospital in New England. He completed his residency and a fellowship in addiction research at Harvard Medical School programs.


Dr. Halpern spent over 20 years on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and during his professorship served as the director of his own research laboratory at McLean Hospital, supported by private grants and National Institute on Drug Abuse funding.