Mark Hrymoc, MD, addiction psychiatrist and mental health clinician, was recently a guest on the Talking Addiction & Recovery podcast, a show focused on thoughtful conversations around addiction, recovery, and the evolving landscape of mental health treatment.
Hosted by Andrew Schreier, a clinical supervisor and licensed professional counselor specializing in substance use treatment, the Talking Addiction & Recovery podcast explores complex issues surrounding addiction and recovery through discussions with clinicians, researchers, and individuals working in the field. The show aims to educate listeners while providing practical insights for people impacted by addiction, including families, professionals, and communities.
In Episode 143, titled “Understanding Addiction Psychiatry and Ketamine Therapy,” Dr. Hrymoc shares his perspective as a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in both general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. During the conversation, he challenges common misconceptions about addiction, explaining how substance use disorders affect a person’s ability to access willpower rather than representing a failure of character or motivation.
The episode also explores the evolving role of ketamine therapy in psychiatry. Dr. Hrymoc discusses how ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic and later associated with recreational use, has emerged as a promising treatment for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. He explains why ketamine can work more rapidly than conventional antidepressants and how it may help reduce suicidal thinking in certain patients.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hrymoc emphasizes the importance of comprehensive psychiatric evaluation when considering treatments such as ketamine therapy. He also highlights the need to address substance use disorders and underlying mental health conditions at the same time, rather than treating them sequentially. His approach reflects a broader commitment within modern addiction psychiatry to provide integrated, evidence-based care while reducing stigma around seeking professional help.
🔗 Listen to the episode
To learn more about Mark Hrymoc, MD and the Mental Health Center in Los Angeles:
👉 mentalhealthctr.com
