"...a must-read diagnosis of the problem of substance abuse in medicine and an instant classic of addiction literature." -Kirkus Starred Review
"Unflinching lessons from a doctor's addiction, recovery, and efforts to help others." -Booklife by Publishers Weekly, Editor's Pick
When we tell our stories, we connect. We recover. We heal.Dr. I. Michael Kaufmann knows that stigma and shame kill as surely as a lethal overdose. He also knows firsthand that sharing honest stories about addiction and recovery is the most powerful way to reach anyone struggling with such issues break through to long-term wellness.
In Drugs, Lies & Docs, Dr. Kaufmann takes an empathetic look at addiction and recovery both inside and outside the medical profession. Drawing from his distinguished career, he explores addiction and recovery in the twenty-first century while, at the same time, his deeply personal narrative shines a spotlight on health professionals' often hidden struggles.
Authentic, compassionate, raw, and real, Drugs, Lies & Docs addresses addiction with dignity. It offers hope. With a commitment to education and a heartfelt call to action, Dr. Kaufmann's memoir champions recovery and the enduring humanity required to sustain it in the high-stakes world of medical practice.
Dr. Kaufmann graduated with a degree in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1979. He completed his training in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto then received certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada in 1981. The College of Family Physicians honoured him in 1991 with a Fellowship award and with lifetime membership in 2023.After practising family and addiction medicine in rural Ontario, in 1995 Dr. Kaufmann became the founding Director of the Physician Health Program of the Ontario Medical Association-a service to assist doctors and other health professionals with substance use problems, psychiatric disorders and other personal health challenges. He received certification in Addiction Medicine from the American and Canadian Societies of Addiction Medicine, and is presently a Fellow of the American and International Societies of Addiction Medicine.Dr. Kaufmann has occupied several leadership roles with the Canadian Medical Association regarding physician well-being and in 2015 he was the recipient of the Misericordia award from the CMA recognizing his career- long contributions to the field of physician health.In 2003 Dr. Kaufmann was awarded a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his work in the field of doctors' health. In 2007 he received the Courage to Come Back award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and in 2009 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement in Addiction Medicine Award from the Addiction Medicine Section of the Ontario Medical Association. In 2019 Dr. Kaufmann was honoured with Lifetime Member- ship Awards from both the Ontario and Canadian Medical Associations.Dr. Kaufmann retired as PHP Medical Director in 2017 and is now PHP Emeritus Medical Director and a physician health consultant, speaker, author and mentor. At home, he has turned his creative energies towards writing, playing music and song writing.Dr. Kaufmann and his wife, Judy, live in rural Ontario and together enjoy community volunteering, walks with their four-legged family members on their farm property and bringing people together for music and discussion in the barn that once housed their chickens and sheep.
