The recent death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has once again raised the specter of addiction. It’s a topic often discussed, but not always well understood. More and more, medical professionals are recognizing addiction as a medical condition. They explain how drugs and alcohol can affect the chemistry in our brains, and how some of us may be genetically predisposed to addiction.
And yet others still perceive such talk as a cop-out. That addicts merely lack will power, that some just don’t want to end their addiction, that rehab doesn’t really work.
On this edition of Houston Matters, we’ll explore drug and alcohol addiction in Houston, focusing on what’s really going on inside the brain of an addict, what treatment options exist in Greater Houston, and how our attitudes and approaches towards addiction may be changing. We’ll talk with Dr. Michael Weaver, medical director of the Center for Neuro-behavioral Research on Addictions at the UT Health Science Center, and Lori Fiester, Director of Treatment Services with the Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston.
Also this hour: The 2014 Winter Olympics are now underway in Sochi, Russia. Because of our warm weather climate, you wouldn't automatically think of Houstonians engaging in winter sports. But a number of clubs here in the Bayou City are dedicated to pursuing some of the more popular events taking place at this year's winter games. We’ll present the first of a four part series exploring such clubs. Today, Houston Matters’ Maggie Martin visits the Memorial Figure Skating Club of Houston, to talk with local skaters and trainers alike about what draws them to the sport.
Plus: Culture Map Houston sports columnist MK Bower joins us – as he does most Mondays – to discuss the week in Houston sports.
