Listen to the Podcast Below:
Season 1, Episode 16 Guest: Harry L. Haroutunian, MD
This episode is a wonderful journey with Harry L. Haroutunian MD, known by all his patients as “Dr. Harry.” Dr. Harry helps his patients break free from alcohol addiction and is an international expert speaker on the topics of alcoholism and substance abuse.
As former Physician Director of the Betty Ford Center, Dr. Haroutunian has contributed to the development of a variety of programs, including their Extended Care Program, Licensed Professional Program and Clinical Diagnostic Evaluation Program.
He is the author of the renowned book, Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery, the foreword for which was written by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith (and to whom Dr. Harry is not only a friend, but sobriety coach). Dr. Harry collaborated with Dr. Louis Teresi on Hijacking the Brain: How Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hijacks our Brains – The Science Behind Twelve-Step Recovery.
Episode highlights:
Dr. Harry and I discussed his perspectives from tens of thousands of hours of clinical (and personal) experience with alcohol abuse and recovery. First and foremost, he notes his strong family predilection for substance abuse disorder with alcohol.
Dr. Harry believes childhood is where the roots of all substance abuse disorders are rooted.
60% of alcohol abuse disorder is driven by genetics. But Dr. Harry emphasizes the importance of environmental/social pressures in aggravating genetic tendencies.
The association of alcohol abuse recovery and sugar cravings is documented and strong.
The C.A.G.E. questionnaire is a great screening for alcohol dependency.
If anyone wants to reach out to Dr. Harry for gold standard support into substance abuse disorder recovery, call 760-972-7840.
Notably, Dr. Harry is a big fan of plant predominant nutrition pioneer, Nathan Pritikin and the Pritikin Eating Plan, having attended programs at the Pritikin Longevity Center when it was originally in Santa Monica, CA and run by Nathan himself.
Harry L. Haroutunian, M.D.
Dr. Harry is an internationally known speaker and authority on topics of addiction, and recovery from the disease of addiction; including drug misuse among older adults.
He is the author of Being Sober, Not as Prescribed, and co-author of Hijacking The Brain.
He has been featured in the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, and has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Drew on Call, and the Dr. Phil Show.
Dr. Harry is board certified in both addiction and family medicine and has served as Physician Director of both the professional and residential programs at The Betty Ford Center.
Dr. Harry is currently President of Harry L. Haroutunian MD, a Professional Corporation, and Dr. Harry Recovery and Wellness, Inc. a not-for-profit organization that provides scholarships to individuals who could not otherwise afford addiction treatment.
Dr. Harry’s practice is located in Rancho Mirage, where he continues to provide hope and healing for those affected by the disease of addiction.
