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This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Dr. Graeme Mason, a dedicated researcher whose work is helping deepen the connection between scientific understanding and lived experience in the recovery community.
Graeme first learned about TriCircle through his Yale colleague Beth Guidone, Chair of the TriCircle Memorial Scholarship Committee. Beth’s long career in addiction-related research—and her passion for TriCircle’s mission—sparked his interest. After attending the TriCircle Gala, Graeme was moved by the personal stories he heard and the breadth of support TriCircle provides. “My research is about understanding chemistry in the body,” he shared, “but we in the research community really need to better understand the lives and experiences of the people we hope we can help.”
Although substance misuse has impacted his own family, Graeme wasn’t previously aware of TriCircle’s services, in part because of geographic distance. He hopes that as TriCircle continues to expand, more families like his will be able to benefit from its support network.
Graeme’s current research focuses on alcohol use, vulnerability to addiction, and how the brain’s chemistry changes during both active drinking and recovery. A strong component of this project is the role that stress plays for many people in their use of alcohol. So far, we have seen changes in how the brain obtains its energy, depending on alcohol use. We are excited and encouraged to know that these findings are contributing to new approaches to facilitate detoxification. team is closely studying the role of stress, and early findings have revealed shifts in how the brain generates energy depending on alcohol use. “We’re excited and encouraged to know these results are contributing to new approaches to facilitate detoxification,” he said. His research covers a spectrum related to alcohol, in an effort to understand vulnerability to addiction and what changes in the short term and long term during recovery, and he is
looking for research participants across that spectrum. Click here to see if you or a loved one may be eligible to participate in one of these important research studies.
Beyond research, Graeme and his colleagues offer a one-month, no-cost, medically supervised inpatient alcohol detoxification program that includes individual and group therapy as well as social work support for post-treatment planning. Participants also receive MRI-based brain chemistry assessments, and many return for outpatient follow-up after achieving three months of sobriety.
Some of Graeme’s most meaningful moments come from hearing that former research participants have remained sober well beyond their treatment month. He also finds hope in the individuals who, even after a relapse, feel safe enough to return and re-engage in treatment. “What’s positive is when they feel comfortable enough to reach out to us again. I have high hopes for all of our participants.”
Looking ahead, Graeme is committed to using his platform to advocate for a deeper understanding of alcohol misuse as a complex medical condition requiring ongoing care—not a one-time emergency intervention. He welcomes opportunities to share his team’s findings and connect with groups who may benefit from, or refer participants to, their research.
Dr. Mason’s work reminds us that healing requires both science and compassion—and he remains dedicated to advancing both.
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