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<p><em>“One of my guiding leadership and life principles is COMPASSION, which enfolds the word ‘passion’ within its meaning. Compassion for others drives me to constantly strive to eliminate human suffering and to improve the health and well-being of our patients.”</em></p>
<p>Dr. Mark Calarco has served as the national medical director for American Addiction Centers (AAC) from 2013–2018. With the addition of Dr. Lawrence Weinstein, who assumed that position in August 2018, he has been appointed national medical director for clinical diagnostics. In this position, he works closely with Addiction Labs to conduct medical and laboratory research as well as develop innovative products and services that will improve patient outcomes. Calarco brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, including a background in family and emergency medicine.</p>
<p>As a child, Calarco developed an interest in health care and a passion for helping others after losing his brother due to a medical error. He went on to attend medical school and to become a family physician. Today, his commitment to clinical excellence and serving those in need has never been stronger as he leads a team of providers who are transforming lives every day.</p>
<p>Calarco is also a thought leader in the addiction industry and an established researcher. In 2017, he led two original studies at AAC with the findings presented to the American Academy of Addiction Psychology. His talents also include speaking five languages—Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Italian.</p>
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Dr. Mark Calarco

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<p><em>“After assessing a patient with third-year psychiatric students and developing a comprehensive treatment plan, we were informed of the patient’s long-standing alcohol abuse, which never entered our minds. It was at this time that I realized how deficient our medical training was in regard to substance use issues and I set on the path to remedy it.”</em></p>
<p>Dr. Lawrence Weinstein, MD, ABHM, FASAM, FAMA, was appointed chief medical officer of AAC in August 2018. He is an accomplished physician executive with more than 20 years’ experience in managed behavioral healthcare. In addition to his extensive senior leadership background, he also delved into private practice, where he provided individual and group diagnostic psychotherapeutic services, family therapy and addiction psychiatry.</p>
<p>Dr. Weinstein has always been fascinated by the mysteries of the mind, and throughout his career, he’s explored different avenues to solve them. His career began in psychoanalysis, which allowed him to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the unconscious mind. This work led him to do research in psychoneuroimmunology. It was this research in how the brain impacts the immune system, and the connection of the brain to the rest of the body, that solidified his belief in mind-body connection and furthered his interest in providing a holistic approach to illness and treatment.</p>
<p>Throughout his career, Dr. Weinstein has set the standard for clinical and operational excellence, physician management and driving technology solutions that support clinical innovation. He brings this experience and an unwavering commitment to patient care to his role as AAC’s chief medical officer, where he oversees medical operations for all facilities and supervises the medical staff to ensure the highest quality of care.</p>
<p>Dr. Weinstein’s quest to learn is not limited to his time at work. In his spare time, he enjoys learning about different world cultures, exploring new places and traveling in general. His other passions include downhill skiing and boating. Being in the mountains or on the water is the best way for him to recharge and refocus.</p>
<h3><strong>Books, Publications and other Media:</strong></h3>
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<li><em>Managing Obstacles to Improved Outcomes in Depression – A Collaborative Approach to Improved Care</em>; Managed Care Magazine (MOOD Supplement), Oct., 2006 Lawrence M. Weinstein, MD:, Chalmers Armstrong M.D</li>
<li><em>Implications of Depression: The Payer Perspective</em>; Lawrence M. Weinstein, MD: Chalmers Armstrong M.D.; April, 2006</li>
<li><em>OnTrakTM Relapse Prevention Program Therapist Guide</em>; Radujko-Moore, R.E., Jack, T.C., Weinstein, L.M.; Los Angeles: Catasys®, Inc. (2008). (in press)<br>
OnTrakTM Relapse Prevention Program Workbook; Radujko-Moore, R.E., Jack, T.C., Weinstein, L.M.; Los Angeles: Catasys®, Inc. (2008). (in press)</li>
<li><em>Application of Multivariate Probabilistic (Bayesian) Networks to Substance Use Disorder Risk Stratification and Cost Estimation</em>; Lawrence Weinstein, MD, ABHM; Todd Radano; Timothy Jack, MD; Philip Kalina, MS; and John S. Eberhardt III; Perspectives in Health Information Management 6, Fall 2009</li>
<li><em>Scientific Rationale and Safety of the Prometa® Treatment Program</em>; Lawrence M. Weinstein, MD, Timothy Jack, MD, Donald R. Wesson, MD, Sanjay Sabnani; Feb. 2007</li>
<li><em>Cutting smoking rate through coaching</em>; Benefits magazine, Volume 49, Number 10, October 2012, pages 34-3</li>
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<h3 class="jsx-4115247048 jsx-1701290729">Featured In:</h3>
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<h4>Op-Ed</h4>
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<li>Workplace Risk Factors for Alcohol Abuse: <a href="https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/05/31/what-to-do-about-workplace-risk-factors-for-alcohol-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HR Daily Advisor</a></li>
<li>Alcohol is America’s Most Abused Substance: <a href="https://thedoctorweighsin.com/alcohol-most-abused-substance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Doctor Weighs In</a></li>
<li>Risk Stratification of Health Plan Enrollees with Addiction: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804457/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Perspectives in Health Information Management Journal</a></li>
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<h4>Featured Expert In</h4>
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<li>Community Unites in Response to Opioid Epidemic: <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/as-opioids-ravage-communities-locals-unite-in-response_3086467.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Epoch Times</a></li>
<li>Why Vaping is Addictive: <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/why-vaping-is-so-addictive-according-to-doctors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNET</a></li>
<li>Juul Vape: <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/juul-what-is-it-how-does-it-work-and-is-it-safe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNET</a></li>
<li>Benzodiazepine Addiction: <a href="https://www.healthgrades.com/conditions/benzodiazepine-addiction-10-things-doctors-want-you-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Healthgrades</a></li>
<li>Health and Nutrition: <a href="https://www.thedailymeal.com/healthy-eating/bogus-health-nutrition-facts-learned-school" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Daily Meal</a></li>
<li>How are Different Alcoholic Drinks Made?: <a href="https://www.torchcigarbar.com/how-are-different-alcoholic-drinks-made/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Torch Cigar Bar</a></li>
<li>Occupational Alcoholism: <a href="https://www.thehrdigest.com/occupational-alcoholism-could-be-creeping-into-your-workplace-culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The HR Digest</a></li>
<li>Mood, Depression, and Improving Care: <a href="https://www.managedcaremag.com/sites/default/files/supplements/0610_mood/MC_0610_MOOD.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Managed Care Magazine</a></li>
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Dr. Lawrence Weinstein

<div><p>Amy Brown received her Masters in Social Work from the University of South Florida. Through her clinical practice providing counseling to combat veterans and their families, Ms. Brown has gained experience addressing challenges relating to mental health and substance abuse, including co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.</p>
<p>Ms. Brown has also engaged in research investigating veterans’ readjustment, PTSD, and veteran mental health and suicide outcomes, with a goal of providing authoritative and pertinent information to guide mental health practice. She has been invited to speak on a diverse array of topics related to military and veterans, including caregivers of veterans with polytraumatic injuries, women veterans, social work practice with military and veterans, social work in the Veterans Administration healthcare system, and alternative therapies in social work.</p>
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Amy Brown

<div><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lindsay Curtis is a freelance health writer with 20 years of writing and strategic communications experience. In addition to writing for global health and wellness brands, she has worked with universities, physicians, nurses &amp; researchers to translate their work into layman’s terms to get their research findings out to the general public. She has covered a variety of health-related topics, including sexual health, addiction and mental health, nutrition, spinal health and cancer care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Her work has appeared in leading global and health websites around the world. She is also a published children’s author. Learn more about Lindsay at www.curtiscommunications.org or follow her on Twitter: @LindsayWrites_</span></p>
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Lindsay Curtis 

<div><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Charity Anderson MPS, CPS is a prevention specialist and freelance writer with over ten years of experience supporting vulnerable communities. After spending several years working in education and mental health, and seeing the gaps in services continue to widen, Charity realized that more efforts were needed in promoting primary prevention.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She decided to pursue her post-graduate work in prevention science, focusing her research on intergenerational addiction and how substance and alcohol use disorders impact youth and families. In addition to earning her certification as a prevention specialist, Charity is also a trained recovery coach.</span></p>
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Charity Anderson

<div><p>Adrienne Webster is a Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate (LACC) in Bozeman, Montana. She received her B.A. in Media Arts from Montana State University and later completed her graduate studies in Addiction Counseling there as well. She works with clients individually and in group settings while completing her post-graduate, clinical supervision.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adrienne is committed to reducing the stigma that surrounds addiction and recognizes the complex emotional and environmental factors that contribute to substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. She is particularly interested in an integrated approach to treatment and recovery that encompasses nutrition, education, exercise, and community involvement.</span></p>
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Adrienne Webster

<div><p>Jessica Hames has five years of experience working in the non-profit sector and more than ten years of experience working in the mental health and substance abuse fields. Ms. Hames is well-versed in compliance, risk management, health and safety, training, Medicaid billing, contractual billing, and grant writing. Ms. Hames holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a special concentration in forensic psychology, a Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology, and is a Ph.D. Candidate (expected to be conferred in July 2021) in Forensic Psychology. Ms. Hames holds certification as an Addictions Professional from the Florida Certification Board (FCB), is currently seeking the Certified Recovery Peer Specialist credential via the FCB, and is certified as a Crime Scene Investigator via Kaplan University. She is currently the Executive Director of Gainesville Peer Respite.</p>
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Jessica Hames

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<p>Kristen Fuller, M.D., enjoys writing about evidence-based topics in the cutting-edge world of mental health and addiction medicine and contributes to medicine board education. Her passion lies in educating the public on the stigma associated with mental health.</p>
<p>Dr. Fuller is also an outdoor activist, an avid photographer, and is the founder of an outdoor women’s blog titled, GoldenStateofMinds. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, skiing, camping, and paddle boarding with her dogs in Mammoth Lakes, California where she calls home.</p>
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Kristen Fuller

<div><p>Kim Lux is a registered nurse and medical writer. She has worked with healthcare systems in the Detroit area as both a RN and an EHR trainer. She specializes in writing digital content for medical practices and facilities across the country to educate readers of all types.</p>
<p>Her background includes working with software companies, healthcare systems both large and small, health insurance companies, medical practices, and digital marketing agencies.</p>
<p>As a nurse and writer, Kim has made it her mission to bridge the information gap between clinicians and clients with warmth and empathy. She is passionate about exploring the connection between mental health disorders and substance misuse, and how both relate to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).</p>
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Kim Lux

<div><p>Timothy Esteves is a Content Editor at American Addiction Centers.</p>
<p>Tim received his B.A. in English with an emphasis on literature from Denison University. He got his start as an editor working with students at the Denison University Writing Center. He would later join AAC’s Content Marketing team, and eventually transition to editing and moderating AAC’s native and third-party community content.</p>
<p>Tim believes in empowering individuals and loved ones who have struggled with addiction to tell their stories, in order to heal themselves and help others find their way to recovery. He spends his days coming up with new ideas for engaging content in the addiction treatment sphere.</p>
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Timothy Esteves

<div><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jillian English received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where she studied communications. Since graduating, Jillian has served as a full-time content specialist for a U.S. insurtech company, writing and editing for the employee benefits insurance industry. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Over the past three years, Jillian has focused her expertise on the health and wellness industry. Most recently, she received accreditation through the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), earning a Faculty status certification after completing the required education, which included mental health training. Jillian recognizes the struggles of substance abuse and addiction, and their underlying causes, and seeks to create content that those in need can use to find the help they’re seeking. </span></p>
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Jillian English

<div><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sherilyn Moore is a freelance writer with over 10 years of experience. She has dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Communications and an Inbound Marketing Certificate from HubSpot Academy. She has written for a wide variety of industries, including hundreds of articles in the field of substance abuse. Sherilyn stays up-to-date in the world of substance abuse treatment to help readers find recovery. </span></p>
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The Editorial Staff Includes: