When Drinking Becomes the Only Way to Unwind After Work

when drinking becomes only way unwind work

At the end of a demanding day, that first drink can feel like a well-deserved reward. It serves as a line in the sand between work stress and personal time. It’s quick, effective, and socially accepted. But what happens when that occasional drink to unwind becomes the only way you know how to transition from […]

Why Men Turn to Alcohol to Cope with Stress and How to Break the Cycle

men turn alcohol cope stress break cycle

Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Between the responsibilities of work, home, spouses, children, families, friends, and other activities, most people have quite a few things on their plate to balance. When the plate becomes overloaded or something significant happens in any one area, stress settles in. Most of the time people have some […]

Unique Challenges Men Face in Substance Abuse Recovery

unique challenges men face in substance abuse recovery

The path from substance abuse to recovery is a challenging, complex, and deeply personal experience for every person. However, men’s substance abuse recovery journeys are filled with unique challenges. Men face certain difficulties that women are less likely to experience while overcoming their alcohol or substance use disorder. Women’s and men’s mental health and addiction […]

Addressing Substance Abuse Among Veterans: Understanding the Challenges and Promoting Recovery

Substance abuse among veterans is a pressing issue that demands understanding, support, and effective interventions. Factors such as combat experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life contribute to higher rates of substance abuse within the veteran population. This article addresses these challenges, sheds light on the underlying factors, […]

How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?

What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. First developed in 1959 by Belgian chemist Dr. Paul Janssen, fentanyl was approved for medical use in the United States in 1968. As a pain reliever and anesthetic, fentanyl is commonly used […]

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.