My Conversation with Doctor Raymond Griffin-the Forensic Addictionologist

Raymond Griffin is the President of the NCADD of Westchester County, an instructor at Mercy College, an addictionologist, therapist and radio talk show personality on WVOX 1460 AM Radio (2nd/3rd Monday of every month). He is pictured above with baseball great, Darryl Strawberry at the recent Marty Mann Benefit Dinner. Darryl was one of many key note speakers of the evening. The fundraiser dinner benefited the organization's goal of educating the public to fight the stigma surrounding the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions and supporting its program and services.

What is your title?

I am an Forensic addictionologist.

Is there a particular school of thought that you aspire to?

More Rogerian…

What’s that?

Carl Roger’s school of thought. It’s a school of thought that’s behavioral as compared to analytical.

Why behavioral?

I believe that cognitive behavioral therapy CBT has the most efficacy in a therapy modality.

Why did you go this route?

Because I’ve always felt "analysis is paralysis" and what helps change…what helps people move from where they are to where they want to be is through the process of behavioral changes that leads to a more enlightened/improved thinking.

What kind of practice do you have?

My practice is split in two. Half of my practice is treating impaired health professionals and the other is forensics…I’m also a forensics addictionologist.

What’s that?

I do evaluations for the courts…to assist the courts to understand if that person has an addiction or not and making recommendations.

How do you go about detecting this illness?

Well, …through drug testing and hair testing to empirically determine whether that person has used drugs or not…the second way is through face to face interviews and the use of questionnaires/screening instruments and the third is collateral contact -by speaking with people that know that person well.

What is your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is helping the health care professionals and breaking through the MDiety (the notion that they are god and they don’t need help).

How do you go about overcoming this obstacle?

Group therapy is the most effective tool for the doctor to be in with other doctors to help them understand they have an illness.

What made you decide to do this?

I’ve always had a fascination with human behavior and since elementary school people always came to me with their problems….so it seemed the logical choice.

How did this make you feel as a kid?

Um…it was a good feeling to know that people trusted me and that maybe just maybe you could be helpful to them.

How many years in the field ?

Thirty-one.

Are you still taking classes?

Always.

Why?

You always need to take continuing education to stay current and I do at least six hours of professional reading a week and I teach at Mercy college for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency's CASAC Program…I also taught at the graduate program at Fordham for six years and I lecture nationally at conferences and I am the president of NCADD of Westchester.

As the president of that organization, what are your duties?

To facilitate the promotion of the councils’ mission which is to eradicate the stigma of addition.

What are current statistics on the severity of this problem?

Do you mean how many people are addicted? About 12% are afflicted…it’s the number one killer in America.

What are the underlying causes?

Addiction is primary…

What does that mean?

Progressive, chronic and if not treated a fatal disease. The main contributing factor is genetics.

Is there a shot or a pill?

Unfortunately, not yet…they are working on a genetic marker associated with the Gnome Project (5years ago, two scientists were finally able to map the DNA of the Human Body) so if we find the genetic marker…we’ll be much closer to finding the cure….but currently the best thing we can do is remission of the disease.

Which is?

Refraining from abusing substances.

What is your thoughts on medication?

When appropriate, it’s needed. The big trend we’ve seen in addiction is more people suffering from co-occurring disorders- which is someone who suffers from addiction and another illness such as depression. Such a person may benefit from medication…the medicine I would prescribe would be non addictive medications.

What are some of the rewards you’ve had from working in the field?

It’s to see so many people that through their own efforts and hard work have turned their life around from a dysfunctional addict to a thriving, productive human being.

Questions and Answers with an Asthma Specialist

Phil is a do-it-all woman-Mother, Wife, Caretaker, Respiratory Specialist, Now Doc Executive, World Traveler, Sister, Aunt, Daughter, and one of the best female golfers in the world. I got a rare free moment with her as she multitasked: caring for her mother, hanging out with her son and preparing for work the next day.

How long have you worked in the heath care profession?

Pretty much all my working life, since I was twenty years old...I began working with the Civil Service for a short period after high school and quickly decided that just wasn’t for me. I then applied to nursing school in Drogheda, County Louth.

How long did that take?

Give or take four years of nursing school which I thoroughly enjoyed, great years! The caring profession has always been a challenging field however; I always had a passion for it and therefore, it seems to come natural to me.

Was there a core curriculum?

Initially, it would have been general nurses...later I majored in Respiratory Care. This was an easy choice for me, many of my relatives; father and niece included suffered from the negative effects of asthma. Subjects such as math, physic, science, and chemistry were required before nursing courses could be taken. I’m sure things have changed since then...this is many years ago.

How long has you been working as a Respiratory Specialist?

Close to ten years. I recently earned a degree NUI in Galway, Ireland. I hold diplomas in COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), NIV (Non-Invasive Ventilation), OSA (Obstructed Sleep Apnoea) and Asthma.

What has stayed the same in the field of nursing and where would you see the biggest change?

In the last thirty years there have been dramatic changes, not much has stayed the same. These changes have been for the better. ..for example cancer care has improved...nobody needs to die in pain anymore,,,that was very common when I first began. End of life issues can be demanding. ..what I mean is, to achieve a balance between dying with dignity and preserving the sanctity of life itself.

I never heard of Obstructed Sleep Apnoea.

It’s actually quite common, a lot of the time, people complained about snoring, feeling fatigued, and poor concentration. By monitoring them overnight, I can quickly assess and determine if they are positive.

What is the treatment?

Depending on the cause....for example if they are overweight, I would refer or recommend them a dietician and generally they would need a CPap, a device that delivers a controlled, positive air pressure to maintain an open airway...

You are much diversified!

Yes, I am also involved in Primary Care as a Nurse Manager in the out of hours GP service, called ‘Now Doc’ located in Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland.

What services do you provide at ‘Now Doc’?

It’s a telephone advice triage system. The nurse receiving the call decides if the client requires a home visit, centre visit, or ambulance....or, simply self-assisted care.

Do you experience any trends when you are on call?

That depends on a variety of factors: viruses in the air, the flu-which is contagious, or tummy bugs...

What do you believe is a more effective approach to the treatment of disease: Chinese or Western?

I feel that each has its place...but I would always encourage each individual to take it upon themselves to take on a healthy attitude to life. Eating right and getting enough exercise are key...I cannot stress this enough...stay off the cigarettes and curtail your alcohol intake.

Do you think natural herbs and remedies are better for the body compared to contemporary medicines?

Yes...and I do think the body has a great potential to heal itself, all we need to do is be kind to it and listen to what it’s telling us. There are many flowers out there that can help with ailments such as fluid retention or inflammatory diseases...I hope eventually we will begin to appreciate and acknowledge the many cures nature provides again....

It’s obvious you are one to take your own advice there.

Thank you...I do like to stay active. I try to go for a game of golf once a week, I’m off chocolate and wine for Lent at the moment...

Oh my god, what’s left?

Um...anyway, when I can’t golf, I catch a few minutes at the local gym. I love to swim and whenever I can I try to take country walks instead of always driving. Simply things are always beneficial too, the stairs instead of elevators....

While we are on the subject, is exercise considered a preventative measure for asthma?

Yes, exercise is beneficial, if your asthma is not exercise induced, it’s important for people to be aware of their breathing and how breathing techniques can improve asthma symptoms.

What about diet?

Again, a healthy, well-balanced diet, avoidance of any known food triggers (fish, nuts, etc.) and eating in moderation and keeping a healthy weight.

What is your favourite pastime?

That would have to be golf. I took a few lessons and fell in love with the game. It has become a big part of my social life. I love the fresh air, the competiveness and meeting up with my close friends. I have been a serious player for many years and my team, The Ladies Golf Club of Carrick-on-Shannon and I earned an All Ireland Final in 2003 and many local competitions...the interclub ILGU competitions are always fun, trying to get the better of our neighbouring clubs.

What countries have you visited?

My husband, son John and I are world-travellers...we try to see something new every year. Before the birth of my son, my husband and I took a tour of Italy and Israel , Cyprus, Amsterdam, Holland...these places are the only four places he has yet to see. As a family, we’ve been to the United States on several occasions to visit my family there (Massachusetts, Maine, Florida, Georgia, and of course New York...Buffalo, Westchester, New York City, etc). In Europe, Livigno, Italy (for various ski outings), Paris, France (twice), Majorca, Spain, The Canary Islands, Oslo, Norway (for our close friends’ wedding), Portugal, London and Manchester, England (to see my husband and sons’ favourite team, Manchester United!

What was your favourite destination?

I’ve enjoyed every place I’ve travelled really...my son’s favourite places are Massachusetts and Italy. Italy for the snow/skiing and Massachusetts where cousin Kevin lives.