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Spero Health Clinical Insights
In the United States over 20 million Americans ages 12 and older have substance use disorder, and since the year 2000 over 700,000 Americans have died from drug overdose. In this Spero Health Clinical Insights series, we take a deeper dive in some of the most common and complex clinical issues facing providers on the front lines working to fight the drug epidemic. To learn more about clinically effective ways of assisting this patient population tune in now.
Spero Health Clinical Insights
Holistic Tools for Addiction Recovery
Welcome to Episode 25 of the Spero Health Clinical Insights Podcast! In this episode, host David Hayden sits down with Dr. Marie Dam, a Board-Certified Internal Medicine physician with over 12 years of experience in addiction medicine. In addition to her traditional medical training, Dr. Dam is extensively trained in functional and holistic wellness, offering a unique perspective that blends evidence-based medicine with natural, metabolic-based approaches to care.
Dr. Dam shares her personal journey of shifting from a strictly conventional approach to embracing functional medicine after facing her own health challenges. Her philosophy centers on wellness over disease, which has proven especially impactful in treating individuals in recovery.
Together, David and Dr. Dam explore key pillars of wellness—nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle—and how each can play a transformative role in supporting recovery. From the importance of fueling the body with real, whole foods to understanding the long-term effects of processed foods, Dr. Dam offers practical insights on how even small changes can lead to better physical and mental health.
They also dive into the vital role of quality sleep—how it supports hormone regulation, reduces inflammation, and allows the body to truly heal. Dr. Dam shares useful strategies and guiding questions providers can use to help patients begin making positive lifestyle shifts.