Understanding Addiction Medicine Today

June 9, 2025

Understanding Addiction Medicine Today

by | Jun 9, 2025 | Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health, Substance Abuse

Addiction takes many forms.  It’s treatment has just as many forms.
In this episode of the Meaning Project Podcast, Dr. Daniel A. Franz engages in a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Mark Hrymoc, a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine. They explore the current landscape of addiction treatment, including the effectiveness of traditional methods like AA and the integration of modern medications. The conversation delves into the complexities of addiction, the role of genetics, and the emergence of behavioral addictions. They also discuss the impact of vaping, the potential of psychedelics in therapy, and the importance of destigmatizing mental health treatment.

TMP-Ep195 – Understanding Addiction Medicine Today w/ Dr. Mark Hrymoc

  • Addiction treatment is evolving with modern science.
  • AA 12-step recovery remains foundational in addiction treatment.
  • Listening to clients is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Behavioral addictions are increasingly recognized and treated.
  • Medications like naltrexone and Suboxone are game-changers.
  • Genetics play a significant role in addiction susceptibility.
  • Vaping poses new challenges in addiction treatment.
  • Psychedelics show promise in treating mental health issues.
  • Destigmatizing mental health treatment is essential for recovery.
  • Long-term treatment may be necessary for chronic conditions.
Dr. Hrymoc has extensive expertise in the psychopharmacology of addiction and other mental health disorders. He is double Board-certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and was previously board-certified in Addiction Medicine. Dr. Hrymoc previously held the position of Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, where he supervised training psychiatrists at their Addiction Psychiatry Clinic. He completed his subspecialist training in Addiction Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and currently serves as a consulting physician to several prestigious drug and alcohol treatment centers in the area.

Dr. Hrymoc completed his psychiatric residency training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and also trained at UCLA Medical Center and the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital. He obtained an MD degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked in a variety of treatment settings, from non-profit community mental health clinics to federally-sponsored multi-site medication development studies.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Hrymoc continues to be active in the local addiction treatment community. In September 2008, he founded Perspectives on Addiction, an interdisciplinary educational group for addiction professionals in Los Angeles. Dr. Hrymoc has served as the representative of the states of California, Alaska, and Hawaii to the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and was a member of the education committee of the California Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Hrymoc co-authored a chapter in Principles of Addiction Medicine, the main textbook of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and has been published in several academic journals.