Addiction and Family Medicine Physician Says There Is Help for Those Struggling with Substance Abuse

Dr. Julio Meza experienced two impactful losses at an early age. His father died when Dr. Meza was about 8 years old from a massive heart attack, likely related to a smoking addiction. Two years later, his maternal grandfather passed away from cirrhosis of the liver caused by years of alcohol use.

These experiences, along with his early medical training at Zacamil Hospital and the Military Hospital in his native El Salvador—where pain management was a primary concern—inspired him to become a doctor and help those struggling with pain.

When he moved to the U.S. in 2008, Dr. Meza could not immediately enter pain management training at UCLA Medical School. Around that time, however, the school opened a division of addiction medicine. This piqued his interest, especially in light of the opioid epidemic sweeping the country, often driven by people becoming addicted to prescribed pain medication.

Seven years ago, Dr. Meza—an Addiction and Family Medicine Physician—began working at Clínica Romero, where he continues to help people struggling with substance abuse. Alcohol addiction represents the vast majority of cases he sees, although he also treats patients addicted to methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and other substances.

“We try to help them return to their lives, avoid liver complications, legal problems, and mental health issues that come from alcoholism,” Dr. Meza says of his goals for his patients

A “FUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLIC”

As with any addiction, the first barrier to seeking help is recognizing—and accepting—that there is a problem.

One common misconception is that drinking alcohol regularly is not a problem if it doesn’t affect one’s social, family, or work life.

“I hear a lot of patients say, ‘I drink every day, and I can still go to work the next day. I don’t have a problem,’” he says. “Those are functional alcoholics. It may work for a while, but not forever,” he warns.

He adds that addiction also causes changes in the brain that take time to reverse once the person stops using the substance.

“A lot of people think addiction is a personal problem and that they must resolve it on their own, however they can—but sometimes that may not be possible,” he explains.

There are medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can help individuals not only stop using substances but also help their brains return to healthy functioning.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of these medications due to a lack of information.

“There’s a lot of distrust around these medicines,” Dr. Meza says.

MEDICATION TO TREAT ADDICTION

Despite the skepticism, these medications—when combined with therapy and support groups—can be effective tools in battling addiction.

The three primary medications used are Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Antabuse (which is used less frequently).

All are taken orally and are not meant to be cures but rather to support individuals in maintaining abstinence.

Acamprosate helps restore normal brain function in alcoholics.
Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids and alcohol, especially the euphoric and rewarding sensations that reinforce use.
Antabuse causes unpleasant side effects when mixed with alcohol, serving as a deterrent to drinking.

A typical course of treatment with these medications may last around 12 months, though “some people may need them for longer,” Dr. Meza says.

Still, medication alone is not enough. Patients must also attend support groups, therapy, and educational sessions to help them meet their sobriety goals.

“If you don’t make changes and continue on the same path that led you to drinking in the first place, it’s very unlikely you’ll reach your goals,” he emphasizes.

CLÍNICA ROMERO: ALL TREATMENTS UNDER ONE ROOF

Treating addiction also means addressing other physical and behavioral health issues that often accompany substance use.

Clínica Romero offers a comprehensive range of services that support this integrated approach.

“We’re part of a primary care clinic. If a patient has diabetes, high blood pressure, or mental health concerns, we can treat everything here under one roof so they don’t have to go elsewhere,” Dr. Meza says. “All their appointments are in one place, which makes it easier for them.”

The clinic’s pharmacotherapy program is designed specifically to meet the needs of people in recovery.

“We know that depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues often accompany addiction,” Dr. Meza explains. “We offer therapy, counseling, group sessions, parenting classes, relapse prevention programs, and family support groups.”

Family involvement, he says, is invaluable in recovery.

“We invite the family to participate in treatment,” he says, noting that some patients’ partners accompany them to every appointment to help them stay on track.

“Substance abuse affects the entire family unit,” he adds. He recommends that families attend Al-Anon groups, where they can better understand addiction and how to support loved ones in recovery.

Above all, he stresses that derision and judgment are counterproductive.

Addiction is a disease, Dr. Meza says—and it should be treated as such.

That nonjudgmental approach is a cornerstone of Clínica Romero’s philosophy.

“We don’t judge anyone. I’m here to help, regardless of the substance they’re addicted to,” he says, adding that he’s helped people who show up drunk or high, or experiencing withdrawals after days without use.

“We know that one of the biggest barriers to seeking help is fear or shame,” Dr. Meza says. “They may have been judged or mistreated elsewhere.”

“They might think, ‘I’m drunk right now—how can I get treatment like this?’ But here, we help them immediately, no matter what.”