The Cost of Addiction: A Conversation with Dr. John Dantzler

Join us as Dr. John Dantzler discusses how he started his career in educational research and program evaluation, but found his way into the field of substance use. Dr. Dantzler discusses the importance of affordable and effective substance use treatment options for everyone. 

Dr. John Dantzler is a professor within UAB’s Department of Psychiatry, the Vice Chair of Substance Abuse Programs at UAB, and the Executive Director of UAB Beacon Recovery and UAB’s Community Justice programs. In addition to his many other roles, Dr. Dantzler serves on APC’s Executive Board.  Thanks to his multiple decades of work in the substance use field, Dr. Dantzler has a unique view of how treatment has changed over the years. One of the changes that has occurred is how people view substance use, and how they have started supporting the Brain Disease Model of Addiction. While stigma still exists, the shift to viewing addiction as a disease has been pivotal to helping those with substance use disorders obtain treatment services. 

While stigma has started to decrease in recent years, barriers to treatment still exist.  One of the main barriers is funding. UAB Beacon is a successful treatment program that works to eliminate that barrier. UAB Beacon Recovery is an accessible treatment option for those in Central Alabama. UAB Beacon Recovery operates on a sliding scale, which bases the cost of treatment based on the client’s income. UAB Beacon Recovery also operates a clinic, known as their Bridge Clinic, which allows patients to see a physician, case manager, and receive an ASAM assessment. The clinic was established to bridge the gaps for those seeking treatment, and reduce the difficulty of navigating the healthcare system to obtain treatment services. 

Link to UAB Beacon: https://www.uabmedicine.org/specialties/beacon-recovery-program/ 

Link to UAB’s Community Justice programs: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/substanceabuse/about