Behind the Evidence is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This episode features interviews with four authors of award-winning abstracts at the AMERSA 2025 annual conference. Learn more and read the abstracts on the conference website.

(Note: BTE is not affiliated with AMERSA)

1) “This Is a Great Idea.” Harm Reduction Vending Machines in Veterans Supportive Housing.

- Tessa Lynne Rife-Pennington, PharmD, BCGP, et al.

2) Lived Experience Advisory Panel: A Consultative Service to Improve Research Equity and Relevance for Black People with Substance Use Disorders.

- Avik Chatterjee, MD, MPH, et al.

3) Meeting People Where They Are: Implementing a Mail-Based Syringe Service Program.

- Shelby Arena, et al.

4) Comparing the Effectiveness of Opioid Continuation, Tapering, and Buprenorphine Rotation on Mortality in a Cohort at Higher Risk of Prescription Opioid Misuse.

- Pooja Lagisetty, MD, MSc, et al.

Hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center’s Behind the Evidence podcast is pleased to host "Behind the Masthead," a special series of episodes featuring conversations with addiction journal editors and other scholars on navigating current threats to addiction science and academic freedom.

In this episode, guest host Casy Calver, PhD speaks with Lynda Kellam, PhD, Snyder-Granader Director of Research Data & Digital Scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania, and one of the founding members of the Data Rescue Project. This interview was recorded 23 October 2025.

Links: Data Rescue Project (DRP); DRP Resources page; IASSIST; RDAP; Data Curation Network; BRFSS; Internet Archive; “The Forgotten Egg: The Importance of Public Federal Data in the United States” (DRP); The Data Index; ICPSR; Safeguarding Research and Culture; “What you can do for restricted access data” (DRP); EDGI; America’s Essential Data; Save Our Signs (DRP).

Behind the Evidence is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). “Behind the Masthead,” is guest-hosted by Casy Calver, PhD.

Behind the Evidence hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review.

The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center’s Behind the Evidence podcast is pleased to host "Behind the Masthead," a special series of episodes featuring conversations with addiction journal editors and other scholars on navigating current threats to addiction science and academic freedom.

In this third episode of the “Behind the Masthead” series, guest host Casy Calver, PhD speaks with Bryon Adinoff, MD, president of Doctors for Drug Policy Reform and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, which recently republished the editorial, “A clarion call to the addiction science community.” Bryon is also past-president of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors (ISAJE).

Behind the Evidence is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This special series, “Behind the Masthead,” is guest-hosted by Casy Calver, PhD.

This interview was recorded 24 September 2025.

Behind the Evidence hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free.

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

“Behind the Evidence” is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This episode was recorded 19 May 2025 and features an interview with J. Cedric Woods, PhD on his article, “Trends in Fatal Opioid-Related Overdose in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities, 1999-2021” published in The American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Click here to read AODH’s summary of this article.

Hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center’s Behind the Evidence podcast is pleased to host "Behind the Masthead," a special series of episodes featuring conversations with addiction journal editors and other scholars on navigating current threats to addiction science and academic freedom.

In this second episode of the “Behind the Masthead” series, guest host Casy Calver, PhD speaks with Tom Babor, PhD, an Emeritus Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and the former Editor of Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Dr Babor has been an outspoken advocate for the preservation of scientific freedom through the Addiction Science Defense Network, and he is the lead author of the editorial, “A clarion call to the addiction science community: It's time to resist the anti-scientific policies of the US Trump administration,” which has been re-published in a number of addiction journals. He is also a co-author of the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines, and a past-president of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors (ISAJE). This interview was recorded 25 September 2025.

Behind the Evidence is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This series, “Behind the Masthead,” is guest-hosted by Casy Calver, PhD.

Behind the Evidence hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center’s Behind the Evidence podcast is pleased to host "Behind the Masthead," a special series of episodes featuring conversations with addiction journal editors and other scholars on navigating current threats to addiction science and academic freedom. As the primary means of knowledge dissemination in the field, addiction journals are likely to be substantially impacted by the recent drastic changes to the federal funding of medical and public health research in the US. What can we learn from the perspectives of addiction journal editors and other scholars in this moment of uncertainty?

In this first episode of the “Behind the Masthead” series, guest host Casy Calver, PhD speaks with Alex Walley, MD and Emily Williams, PhD—two editors of the Grayken Center’s journal, Addiction Science & Clinical Practice—on the lessons we can learn from the resilience of people who use drugs, to navigating changes to the NIH’s public access policy.

Behind the Evidence is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This special series, “Behind the Masthead,” is guest-hosted by Casy Calver, PhD.

Behind the Evidence hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center’s Behind the Evidence podcast is pleased to host "Behind the Masthead," a special series of episodes featuring conversations with addiction journal editors and other scholars on navigating current threats to addiction science and academic freedom. As the primary means of knowledge dissemination in the field, addiction journals are likely to be substantially impacted by the recent drastic changes to the federal funding of medical and public health research in the US. Through conversations with the editors of our field's leading scientific journals—as well as data scientists and other scholars—this series will offer addiction research professionals of all career stages the opportunity to learn valuable strategies for preserving the momentum and integrity of their research.

Episode 1 is out now. Guest host Casy Calver, PhD interviews Alex Walley, MD and Emily Williams, PhD—two editors of the Grayken Center's journal, Addiction Science & Clinical Practice.

Behind the Evidence is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This special series, “Behind the Masthead,” is guest-hosted by Casy Calver, PhD.

Behind the Evidence hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

“Behind the Evidence” is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This episode was recorded in March 2025 and features an interview with Ashish Thakrar, MD on his article published in JAMA Dermatology: “Wound characteristics among patients exposed to xylazine;” and an interview with Raagini Jawa, MD on her article in Drug and Alcohol Dependence: “Drug use practices and wound care experiences in the age of xylazine adulteration.” Click the following links to read AODH’s summaries of Dr Thakrar and Dr Jawa’s articles.

Hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

“Behind the Evidence” is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This episode was recorded 16–17 April 2025 and features Dr Marc Larochelle's five interviews with presenters at the 2025 Together for Hope Massachusetts Addiction Conference:

1. Davida Schiff, MD: “Parental Substance Use and Child Safety in a New Legislative Context in Massachusetts”

2. Jenny Zhen-Duan, PhD & Matilde Castiel, MD: “Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with substance use treatment and mortality rates among Latino men in Central Massachusetts”

3. Samuel Maddams, BS: “Large Language Models and Substance Use Disorders: Helpful or Harmful?”

4. Meagan Hickey, LICSW: “Harm reduction in housing; Supporting individuals exiting substance use treatment in rapid rehousing”

5. Jessica B. Calihan, MD: “Naloxone Access in Schools: A Survey of School Nurses in the United States”

Hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Medical Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

“Behind the Evidence” is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center’s free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This episode was recorded in June 2024 and features an interview with Joao P. De Aquino, MD on his article published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse: “The impact of cannabis on non-medical opioid use among individuals receiving pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.” And an interview with Donovan Maust, MD on his article in JAMA Network Open: “Benzodiazepine discontinuation and mortality among patients receiving long-term benzodiazepine therapy.” Click the following links to read AODH’s summaries of Dr De Aquino and Dr. Maust’s articles.

Also discussed: Christine PJ, Lodi S, Hsu HE, et al. Target trial emulation for comparative effectiveness research with observational data: Promise and challenges for studying medications for opioid use disorder. Addiction. 2024;119(7):1313-1321.

Hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MD

Production: Raquel Silveira, MBA

Editing: Casy Calver, PhD

Music and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MA

Miriam Komaromy, MD is the Medical Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MD.

Learn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org

“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.