225: The Plight of Physicians Struggling with Addiction with Steven Orebaugh

Anybody can be impacted by addiction, whether you’re a doctor or not. And for certain people in healthcare, anesthesiologists most especially, access to drugs like opioids is super easy. 

On this episode, Duane speaks with Steven Orebaugh about how his own personal experiences of witnessing his colleagues get trapped in addiction inspired him to write the book, “The Stairs on Billy Buck Hill.” He wrote the book having witnessed a number of ruined careers among his peers because they have access to these highly addictive substances. And so, Steven hopes that his book will help fellow physicians and healthcare workers create that healthy fear so they could steer clear of addiction.

Steven is an anesthesiologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has published some 75 works in the medical literature, including peer-reviewed articles, textbook chapters, and review articles. 

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why anesthesiologists have easy access to drugs
• Understanding how opioids become the downfall of some people
• The impact addiction has on physicians addicted to drugs
• About the book, The Stairs on Billy Buck Hill
• Dealing with the shame and guilt as a doctor
• The need for emotional support
• Nurturing a healthy fear

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Supporting Resources:

https://www.steveorebaugh.com/ 

The Stairs on Billy Buck Hill

https://www.amazon.com/Stairs-Billy-Buck-Hill/dp/1620068664 

NovusMindfulLife.com

Episode Credits

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