Welcome to the new year and the January edition of Tips and Topics.

In SAVVY, guest writer, Kristin Dempsey explains Harm Reduction and her just released book The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction.

In SKILLS, Kristin includes some of her favorite exercises that can be used to explore one’s relationship to substances or processes. The exercises are based on the spirit and skills of motivational interviewing.

In SOUL, I experienced what it is like to show up to an island village in Ghana unannounced and unexpected only to be treated like a welcome guest. Even with menu ingredients in hand, can you imagine these “guests” (intruders) expecting you to cook and serve them a meal?

Welcome to the December edition of Tips and Topics and happy holidays to all.

In SAVVY, “Parochial empathy” helps understand why we are so polarized. It is not a lack of empathy for others, but can be extreme empathy and care for those in our own community.

In SKILLS, for there to be a solution to conflict and polarization, there has to be empathy for the other side. But how to do that? Start not with facts and judgements, but rather share our stories and narratives.

In SOUL, Keith Magee paid his Uber driver for an extra hour so he could park and explain why he was a fervent Donald Trump supporter. Magee came away with a better understanding of the fears and hopes that motivated his driver, and a strong sense of human connection despite the gulf between them.

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

Welcome to the November edition of Tips and Topics and a happy Thanksgiving to all in the USA.

In SAVVY, when clients present with mental health problems and are also using alcohol and other drugs, there could be three diagnostic possibilities. When mental health clinicians are not savvy about addiction and vice versa, misdiagnosis is easy to do.

In SKILLS, assessment guidelines on timelines and drug-free periods can help tease apart what is going on in the relationship between substance use and mental health signs and symptoms.

In SOUL, I invite you to ponder what you might say at the Thanksgiving dinner table when someone says: “Let’s share what you are grateful for this year.” Try out Marshall Rosenberg’s modified 3-step process.

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

Welcome to the October edition.

In SAVVY, STUMP THE SHRINK and SKILLS, a reader asks about people who have been in prison and how to evaluate addiction Full or Partial Remission when in a controlled environment. A new Fourth Edition of The ASAM Criteria is now out. I reprise a past question about assessing people in controlled environments using both the terminology of the 3^rd and new 4^th Editions of the Criteria.

In SOUL, I am excited to share a new podcast. As the proud father of three smart and emotionally intelligent kids, I hope you’ll enjoy The Chosen Blood Podcast - Three Siblings Watch Home Vids & Reflect. I think the Pod is entertaining, engaging and informative, but then again I am biased.

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

Welcome to the September edition of Tips and Topics and National Recovery Month.

In SAVVY, a guest writer shares her recovery journey and the role of processing trauma in moving into true joy.

In SKILLS, Leah highlights tools and treatment models that are working for her as she explores practices for dealing with intense emotions in healthier ways.

In SOUL, recovery is a process, not an event. In fact, it is a relationship process – a relationship with yourself and others. Leah shares some heartfelt insights she has discovered over the past year.

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

Welcome to the August edition of Tips and Topics and to all the new subscribers.

In SAVVY, I recommend you watch William Miller highlight the What and Why of some of the new changes in Motivational Interviewing (MI). I highlight how MI helps you be a more effective agent in helping people change and grow.

In SKILLS, listen to Scott Miller on Mike McGee’s podcast talk about how to use feedback to identify where you might need a coach rather than an overall supervisor. The coach is expert in a particular skill that feedback measurement has identified you as falling short.

In SOUL, Dr. James O. Prochaska, a pioneer in the field of psychology who revolutionized the science of behavior change died on July 9, 2023, at the age of 80. How do you say good-bye to such an icon?

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

Welcome to the July edition.

In SAVVY, STUMP THE SHRINK and SKILLS, a reader asks about my thoughts on Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT). It reminded me of how far behind we still are from the rest of healthcare’s Measurement-based Care practices. Check out Jim Walt’s entertaining and informative keynote presentation about golf and what it has to do with Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT).

In SOUL, I share another joke-with-a-message from Funsteria about cutting off the end of the ham before baking it. How often do you do something because that’s the way it’s always been done?

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

Welcome to the June edition.

In SAVVY, STUMP THE SHRINK and SKILLS, a reader asks about my thoughts on what stage of change people are who go into treatment. He somewhat disagrees with what he heard at a training: “Rarely will you see a person come into treatment in the Preparation or Action stage of change”. 

In SOUL, at least one reader didn’t ‘get’ the message I was sending last month when I shared Tucker Carlson’s text messages. I believe the wisdom I highlighted is so important, that I’m giving it one more try to explicitly spell out what to do about the polarization in the USA.

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

Welcome to the May edition of Tips and Topics and to all the new subscribers.

In SAVVY, there is preoccupation with medication as the main and most effective treatment in physical and mental health and addiction. But there are a variety of non-medication lifestyle interventions that can be as effective as medication, if not even better.

In SKILLS, engage with clients to embrace an exercise mindset, use the power of placebo to build hope, and work with families to improve relationship time.

In SOUL, Tucker Carlson, previously a ratings star for Fox News, sent a text message to a producer on January 7, 2021 when he was watching a video of people fighting on the street in Washington. In this age of polarization and demonizing those with whom we disagree, Carlson shares some surprisingly good and insightful advice.

David Mee-Lee, M.D.
DML Training and Consulting

What to do for a client with a history of addiction who is socially drinking? Twenty years of Tips and Topics. What’s next?

Welcome to the April edition, the start of year 21 for Tips and Topics.

In SAVVY, STUMP THE SHRINK and SKILLS,  two clinical vignettes about clients with a history of moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder and three DWIs (Driving While Intoxicated) raise assessment and engagement questions to be considered.

In SOUL, I started publishing Tips and Topics April 2003. On this 20th anniversary, I look back at what the initial goals were; whether I lived up to those; and what’s next for Tips and Topics.