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To help those with addiction, health care providers must confront their own biases

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River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

People with substance use disorders often encounter biases in the medical community.

On this episode of River to River host Ben Kieffer meets with healthcare professionals to discuss the harm that can come from stigma and what the medical community is doing to combat it — including an innovative storytelling project intended to help medical students. In addition, Iowans share their experiences with addiction and discuss how stigma affected their recovery.

Guests:

  • Dylan, Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition volunteer
  • Alison Lynch, MD and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Iowa
  • Cate Dicharry, director of creative writing at the Carver College of Medicine
  • Eric Epping, clinical associate professor of psychiatry

Those looking for help or treatment for themselves or others may find these resources helpful:

Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Caitlin Troutman is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewell College. Since 2022, Troutman has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.