About Our Panel

The following experts are consultants to Above the Influence. They were selected based on their background and expertise. Their responses are their own.

Drew Pinsky, M.D.
is an internist and radio and TV host. For more than 20 years, his advice on the nationwide show Loveline has both entertained and informed radio and television audiences with its humor and advice. More recently, Dr. Drew and VH1 teamed up for Celebrity Rehab, the first reality series to depict the process of overcoming addiction. In addition to working on the second season of Celebrity Rehab, he is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine. He is also the author of, “The Mirror Effect; How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America.”

Alan J. Budney, Ph.D.
is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science and a published expert on the topic of drug dependence.

Phillippe Cunningham, Ph.D.
is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Cunningham supervises family therapists providing intensive family and home-based services to youth.

Timothy Fong, M.D.
is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry. He is also the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program and the director of the UCLA Impulse Control Disorders Clinic.

Counselor Dan Franz
is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has been working in mental health and substance abuse counseling with teens and families since 1995. He most recently served as the Program Director at a drug rehabilitation center. He is now in private practice working with patients in Indiana.

Janet F. Williams, M.D.
is a tenured Professor of Pediatrics with a focus on adolescent medicine and substance abuse in children and teens.

image of pills Privilege, Pressure & Pills
I never would have imagined motivated, bright students, with everything going for them, turning to drug use.
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