Mel Pohl: Person of the Week

Mel Pohl, MD, DFASAM is a Family Practitioner and the Senior Medical Consultant to the Pain Recovery Program at The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center in Malibu, California. He is the author of several books including The Pain Antidote – Stop Suffering from Chronic Pain, Avoid Addiction to Painkillers, and Reclaim Your Life.

thepointemalibu.com


Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. 10/13/1984. DOC marijuana, cocaine, alcohol – also liked Benzos and hallucinogens.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. Fellowship and laughter.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. I definitely believe it’s a brain illness.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. Bradley Cooper.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. Ocean.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. Fellowship, sponsoring others, not favorably entertaining taking a drink or using a drug to “treat” a symptom.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Internal sense of peace and serenity.

QWhat is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Self-righteous people telling me what to do.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. Spread to multiple organizations including Miriam’s house, Covenant house, Veterans support group, International Dr in AA.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. My first partner and love of my life, Denny.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. Buddhism – Pema Chodron; also, in medical training a Dr. Bob Sheehan.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. Born in NY – live in San Diego.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be?

A. Dalai Lama, Mark Twain, Pema Chodron.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Capricorn.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. A force greater than me – sometimes an old man (or woman) up in the sky – often the still small voice in me.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. Catcher in the Rye, When Things Fall Apart (Pema Chodron), The Pain Antidote (my book)

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. Moonstruck (“snap out of it”)

Q. What surprised you most about living sober?

A. How much fun I get to have.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. Stay the course and trust the process – everything will be alright.

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. My grandmother’s hands, breathe, we live like we die.

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

A. Rarely binge watch – savor an episode or two – the Diplomat, Lincoln Lawyer, Shrinking.

Q. What is your favorite play or musical?

A. Wicked.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Bette Midler.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Kind.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. San Francisco.

Q. What is your favorite hotel?

A. Four seasons.

A. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?

A. Pickleball.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

A. Mon Ami Gabi – in Las Vegas.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Pizza.

Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

A. Everything is gonna be ok – worry less – live in the moment.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. Everything is gonna be ok – worry less – live in the moment.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. Not yet.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. My dog, Lucy.

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

A. Winning Father Martin Award.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. My kindness

Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

A. Walk on the beach.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. First time I came out as a gay man in an AA meeting.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. What’s next?