[Podcast] Addiction in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care

A Psychiatrist Said Bipolar. He Was Wrong. And It Almost Cost Her Everything – Addiction Medicine Made Easy | Fighting back against addiction

A prescription is supposed to help you get your life back. What happens when it quietly takes it away instead? I sit down with Stephanie Starr, a program manager and graduate student, whose search for mental health support after a traumatic birth turned into a devastating chain of misdiagnosis, escalating medications, and loss of trust in healthcare.Stephanie walks us through being told she had bipolar disorder, being put on a rotating “cocktail” of psychiatric meds, and how side effects and instability can snowball into riskier choices, deeper shame, and substance use. We talk openly about benzodiazepines, the warning signs of a pill mill style clinic, and why “just follow doctor’s orders” is not enough when the diagnosis is shaky and the treatment plan only involves more and more medication. Her story also includes the realities of trauma, a suicide attempt, and the way stigma can show up in the very places people go for help.From there, we shift into recovery and what actually sustains it. Stephanie shares how faith and a higher power became central for her, while also naming the harm that can happen in faith-based recovery spaces that push “just pray it away” thinking or shame people who need medication. We dig into emotional sobriety, AA-style accountability, therapy tools like EMDR, and how learning to tolerate discomfort can be a turning point in addiction recovery.If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find the show.To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com

1. A Psychiatrist Said Bipolar. He Was Wrong. And It Almost Cost Her Everything 38:41
2. A Practical Guide To Psychiatric Medications For Addiction Care (Update from 2025) 36:01
3. What's The Latest With Kratom? 33:46

Step into the fast-paced world of emergency medicine with Dr. Casey Grover’s podcast, Addiction in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. Dr. Grover is CCODP’s co-founder and Chair of the Division of Emergency Medicine at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.

Every 6 minutes, an American loses their life to a drug overdose. Every 5 minutes, another succumbs to excessive alcohol use. It’s a crisis that affects us all, and it’s happening right now. He leads listeners through the current landscape of addiction in emergency care. He also talks about substance use disorder treatment.

In the Emergency Department (ED), lives hang in the balance every day. As many as 64% of adult patients face issues related to substance use. These are real people seeking help, often in their darkest hours.

Addiction in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care isn’t just a podcast; it’s a call to action. Dr. Grover brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to the forefront, providing practical insights and evidence-based approaches to help us do better in treating substance use in acute care settings. His mission is undeniably clear: we need to learn more, understand better, and make a real difference in the lives of those who need our help.

With each episode, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in addressing addiction within the emergency setting. This podcast is essential listening for anyone interested in healthcare, addiction, or simply making the world a safer place.

Tune in and join Dr. Casey Grover on a journey toward a more compassionate and effective approach to substance use disorders in our society.