HOI-- WEEK 24

Pie from Pizzeria Pezzo
White Bear Lake, MN

This week I...

-- spent my time in Central City, Minnesota at the Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center. Our residency program sends every resident for this training. We spent about half of the week in lectures about the neurobiology of addiction, managing chronic pain in addiction recovery, pharmacotherapy of addiction etc. then we spent the other half of the week experiencing the program firsthand. We were each assigned to a unit and spent the time in the patient lectures, groups, wellness activities, or just in conversation with the patients. I was assigned to a great group of guys who were welcoming and very open to my questions. I was especially interested in the young addicts and those abusing prescription opioids (as that is a class of medications I prescribe!). I could go on & on with stories and thoughts about the experience but I won't put all of those on this blog. If anyone is interested in any details I'd love to chat further! The other highlight of the trip was the people I traveled with -- I genuinely enjoyed our conversations during the commute and a new friend from the UK! We shared many laughs about cultural differences and miscommunications. It was fascinating to hear about the healthcare system in the UK with socialized medicine and no cost to the patient for rehab!
-- ate one of the the best pizzas of my life: imported prosciutto, gorgonzola, Italian figs, cream, and balsamic glaze. YUM. I couldn't fathom what it was going to taste like but it came recommended and did not disappoint!
-- had a lot of down time to myself in the evening which was totally bizarre. I'm used to working well-past dinner and then spending the final few hours of the night with T. It was relaxing to have an entire evening to myself each night in Minnesota but it took some getting used to!

xo,
Krista