Top 5 Gifts for Recovering Addicts

The holidays can feel stressful even under the best circumstances. But when a family member or friend is recovering from a substance abuse issue, there can be an added layer of worry and concern that tinges even the happiest of times. And while it can be hard to know what to say or how to […]

What is Recovery Maintenance? And How Do You Do It?

When addressing a substance abuse problem, an addict must typically navigate several stages of recovery that are fairly universal across all experiences. These stages, according to the National Institute of Health, can be broken down into the beginning, middle and late-stage recovery. Recovery maintenance occurs in the late stage and is crucial to achieving lasting success. […]

Are You Living with a Functional Alcoholic? Know the Signs

With over fifteen million people in the US suffering from an alcohol use disorder (AUD), it’s very likely that you have a friend or loved one grappling with a serious drinking problem, and it’s even possible that that person is you. But sometimes it can be difficult to tell who has a problem and who doesn’t, because […]

Brian Welch, Joins Colin Morrison for Podcast Recording in Redlands

On June 6, 2019, members of the New Origins life skills community had the opportunity to attend a recording of Colin Morrison’s Talking Sobriety podcast in which he interviewed Brian Welch, lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Korn, and his daughter, Jennea. Attendees also watched a screening of Brian and Jennea’s new documentary, Loud Krazy Love, and […]

Dr Julie Kasarjian, MD, PhD

Julie K.A. Kasarjian, MD, PhD received her medical degree from Loma Linda University and her PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, bringing a robust clinical and scientific background to her medical career. Dr. Kasarjian completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and is a board-certified Emergency Physician and an Addiction Medicine specialist.

Dr. Kasarjian has extensive leadership experience and has served as a medical director for emergency departments of varying sizes across Southern California and is the Medical Director for VARP Inc./Gibson House and Quality Health Partners. Her academic contributions include serving as the Medical Director for the Master’s in Physician Assistant program at Cal State San Bernardino and she continues to do shifts as an Emergency Physician in the Emergency Department at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

She has also served as a Principal Investigator/Medical Director at Velocity Clinical Research conducting multiple high-profile clinical trials, focusing on vaccines and treatments for a wide range of conditions, including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), gout, cytomegalovirus (CMV), diabetes, obesity, episodic migraines, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and peripheral neuropathy.

She is pleased to join the team at New Origins and Into the Light as the Medical Director and will continue to contribute to advancing the treatment of substance use and mental health disorders. She has been a prominent advocate for safe opioid prescribing, leading initiatives such as securing a California Bridge Grant for opioid treatment in the emergency department and has secured funding for the Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Access Points Project which supports organizations throughout California to address the opioid and substance use epidemic. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes, Dr. Kasarjian brings with her  extensive experience in clinical practice, research, and leadership and leads the clinical team in delivering compassionate, evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.