American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): Annual Medical-Scientific Conference

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to screening patients for alcohol use disorders, the small check box on the patient history form sometimes fails to tell physicians what they need to know about the patient’s alcohol use, experts said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

That’s partly why Dr. Keith A. Nichols screens all of his adolescent and adult patients for alcohol use disorders beyond the patient history form in his private family practice in upstate New York. Often, Dr. Nichols’ questions lead to a conversation.

"Do not stop at taking history," Dr. Nichols said. "Delve into and find out if there’s a problem. Don’t take the person’s snap response. People in general aren’t offended if you ask them. In fact, you get a lot of people who are grateful if you help them."

Because of the key role alcohol plays in a variety of problems, diseases, and injuries, early identification is critical, said John P. Allen, Ph.D. Why? "Because the chances of treating problem drinking are likely most favorable before the drinking becomes more ingrained," said Dr. Allen, associate chief consultant for addictive disorders at the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Office of Mental Health Services.

The importance of primary care as an entry point for treating these patients is well established. For example, screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse are top recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. At the VHA, more than 96% of the patients are screened for alcohol use disorders. In addition, roughly two-thirds of patients with a diagnosis of substance use disorder at the VHA are treated in primary care or in general mental health services.

Providers at the VHA use a simple screening instrument called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), which includes three questions inquiring about the frequency of drinking, the usual level of alcohol consumption, and the frequency of very heavy alcohol use. 

Despite physicians’ awareness of the importance of screening and probing for alcohol use disorders, one problem that might explain the failure of screening to become routine could be that physicians "aren’t sure what to do once they obtain a history" that suggests a problem, Dr. Nichols said. "I think there might be a concern that it’s not a priority for the patient, and the doctor might not want to go there."

For many physicians faced with 15-minute limits for each patient visit in order to make a viable practice, the biggest challenge is time. And the problem doesn’t end there. "Even if you have enough time to figure out the problem, there’s not enough time to delve into its origins," said Dr. Jose M. Partida Corona, an internist who practices in Las Vegas.

Other barriers also interfere, such as lack of an integrated system or access to specialty care.

Yet, screening advocates stress the importance of taking that first step.

"It’s important for health care providers to ask about drinking, because it plays a huge role in many physical and mental health problems," Dr. Partida Corona said. "And obviously, treatment for them will be very different if alcohol is playing a significant role."

Dr. Nichols, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Partida Corona reported no conflicts of interest.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.

WASHINGTON  – On the last night of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference, four actors took the place of panelists in a ballroom that earlier had served as a space for discussing various aspects of addiction medicine, from drugs to alcohol to practice management.

The actors – Blythe Danner, Harris Yulin, Bryce Pinkham, and Sara Waisanen – sat in their chairs behind a long table facing a packed room of mostly addiction specialists and played out the third act of Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Day’s Journey Into Night."

Mary Tyrone, the mother played by Ms. Danner, needs morphine and more of it, but it’s just for her arthritic hands. Her husband, James, played by Mr. Yulin, wallows in drinking. And the sons, one of whom (Mr. Edmund) was played by Mr. Pinkham, have their own issues.

But why do a play in front of a group of addiction specialists who see real-life versions of such scenarios day after day?

"Our goal is to elicit empathy through the felt experience of emotion," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director of the play and social impact theater company Outside the Wire (www.outsidethewirellc.com). "The play is a catalyst for a sincere and honest discussion.

"We want to convey a sense of moral obligation for people to apply [empathy] to their clinical practice to do better with patients. It’s a huge goal," Mr. Doerries said.

Like other plays that the company has produced, this performance of "Long Day’s Journey" was followed by a discussion – an emotional reaction from the audience, or, in some cases, a reaction to a single line in the play. Physicians were quick to line up behind the microphones in the room.

The play was set in 1912 and nearly 100 years later, much stigma and shame continue to be attached to addiction among the general public as well as the physician community, said the panelists who took the place of actors after the half-hour performance.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approached Mr. Doerries’s theater company asking for a play that would elicit such a response.

The stigma still carried by addiction in the health care community has been nothing but deleterious, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, because physicians don’t screen for drug addiction. Also, if they find out that the patient has an addiction, "they won’t even approach it."

The performance was part of the NIDAMED (www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed) program, which aims to educate physicians on the importance of screening their patients. The playbook was not about the play, but rather about how physicians can start a conversation with their patients about drug use. To learn more, visit ww1.drugabuse.gov/nmassist.