Darryl J Gebien MD- On Addiction, Wellness & Stress/Opioid Crises

04/01/2026

Many thanks to Jim Richards (Radio Host), Mike (tech guy) and Ben Harrison of NEWSTALK 1010 AM radio in Toronto for thinking of me to share my story and thoughts about a sensitive subject that affects most of us. Here's a link to today's interview about Tiger Woods' car crash, nodding off at the wheel, to and other substances; drawing from my own recovery story from .

It was hope and others that meant everything when I had nothing, sitting in jail for 18 days and then a brutal 2 years that followed, including 6 months of inpatient rehabs and finally finishing off the venture with 8 months of incarceration. All of which.... made me a better version of myself. Please be kind to those struggling with substances and alcohol. They are probably hurting in ways you have no idea about. Before recovery, unprocessed adverse events over my entire childhood had silenced and even isolated me, so, I'm pretty certain the same occurs with others. The self-medicating of substances is to numb the pain or distract from it. A "maladaptive coping strategy" as it's called in Psychiatry/Psychology.

I pointed out that those who feel EUPHORIC upon taking their first opioid (say for pain control) are at higher risk for addiction than those who do not experience this calming sense of peace and the melting away of life's stresses, including unprocessed psychological pain (say from bad breakups, betrayals by loved ones, or adverse experiences where one could not control or stem the thing that caused them great fear at an early stage in development, particularly those going back to childhood where there are no learned coping tools to employ).

That was me but I didn't realize until 7 years of recovery that my self-medicating could have bee related to the unresolved adverse childhood experiences that deeply affected me, even later shaping my personality and impairing my development. For example, something happened to me at age 7 or so when I learned what absolute fear tastes like. It only lasted about 3 seconds but changed me forever. That fear of not knowing what to do in an emergency compelled me to later become a medical doctor specialized in Emergency Medicine (to see all aspects of disease and physical trauma to avoid it ever consuming me again).

So, there are layers. Be kind, compassionate and open minded instead of a rudimentary, unrefined human being who jumps to judgement and scorn (really, to make them feel better about themselves it seems). Which version of you do you want to be?

  He shares his emotional story with Jim. The latest on Trump and the war in Iran   GUESTS: Dr. Dov Gebien - ER physician, addiction recovery advocate, and keynote speaker Sean Foley - professor of history at Middl...

12/23/2025

Updated diaphragm-arrest flow diagram hypothesis in sudden infant death syndrome ( ). There are many factors that contribute to diaphragm excitability.

12/23/2025

A major medical discovery has emerged. It is based on "Patient 0", followed by an in-depth literature review that is not "compelling" but rather, convincing.

There are at least three major forms of diaphragm cramps (sustained painful spasms): spontaneous, seizures and trauma (winding injuries). To learn more, find my paper on PubMed: Uncovering Diaphragm Cramp in SIDS and Other Sudden Unexpected Deaths.

References available upon request.

12/10/2025

What is the mechanism of stomach butterflies?
1. Intestines
2. Stomach
3. Diaphragm

09/11/2025

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dov-Gebien/achievement/68c264dc3445f464799829b9 via https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dov-Gebien/achievement/68c264dc3445f464799829b9

See this researcher's achievement on ResearchGate.

05/18/2025

I’ve spent a lot of time learning about the sudden infant death syndrome mystery. Sparked by an incredible case (“Patient 0”), the evidence points to an unrecognized (or “novel”) cause: diaphragm cramp. It’s as simple as that. I’ve published 4 papers on this proposed silent baby killer but it will take time to prove.

This slide demonstrates how many (if not all) SIDS risk factors contribute to muscle spasms and cramps (prolonged spasms). For instance, we all know that muscles become cramped when dehydrated, unfit or fatigued, and with lactic acid buildup. Leg cramps are really common when sleeping. Why? Reduced blood flow to legs and lactic acid.

Male infants are at higher risk than females because of weaker respiratory muscles (become cramp-prone). For the same reason, younger infants compared to older experience work overload of diaphragm. This is evident as increased hiccups (which are generated by diaphragm spasms).

Rebreathing exhaled gases leads to respiratory acidosis; when there is acid buildup in the blood. This promotes spasms. Learning Point: Keep crib free of toys and pillows. Ensure bedroom is well ventilated. No co-sleeping with others!

Overheating also promotes spasms. Learning Point: Avoid over-bundling the baby. Use natural fabrics for bed linens and onesies to allow heat to dissipate and sweat to evaporate. No Polar Fleece.

Babies are exceptionally sensitive to absorbed ni****ne. No smoking in the house. But if for some reason you do, don't let the baby sleep upstairs (smoke rises, especially when house is heated in wintertime).

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02/24/2025

Proudly, our first scientific presentation re: diaphragm cramp respiratory arrests in sudden infant death syndrome ( ) and other sudden unexplained deaths in all ages. 8th Annual Seattle Children’s Hospital and Microsoft’s SIDS Research Conference Summit. Seattle, WA, March 25-26, 2025.

Special thanks to my coauthor, Dr. Michael Eisenhut MD (Pediatric Consultant at Luton & Dunstable Hospital)!

02/08/2025

HOW (and why) TO TREAT CHILDREN WITH FLU AND COLDS:

The goal is to prevent respiratory complications of viruses that, from my research, infect the respiratory diaphragm and may cause it to fatigue and rarely fail (sudden respiratory arrest of the breathing pump).

• Give lots of fluids, including popsicles. Even ones with sugar, the goal is to get fluids into them to reduce acidosis (blood acidity).
• Give ibuprofen alternated every 4-6 h with Tylenol at full doses (reduces overheating, fluid & electrolyte losses, and possibly, diaphragm inflammation).
• Ensure bedroom is gently ventilated with a fan and slightly open window if possible (prevents rebreathing of pooled gases on mattress).
• Hiccups, sweats or colic could indicate worsening diaphragm fatigue (hiccups are generated by diaphragm spasms). See MD if these become frequent.

American Academy of Pediatrics JAMA Pediatrics National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

02/08/2025

Alert: American Academy of Pediatrics JAMA Pediatrics Influenza-induced DIAPHRAGM MYOSITIS is responsible for respiratory distress and apneas in children (similar to influenza-associated calf myositis). Although not specific to respiratory muscles, CREATINE KINASE levels could screen symptomatic children at risk for respiratory failure. This is based on over two years of research on novel diaphragm cramp-contracture ( ).

This Letter to the Editor provides additional information regarding the tragic case of a 6-month-old in Italy with respiratory syncytial virus who deteriorated and died unexpectedly from rapid respiratory insufficiency [...]

02/08/2025

Bad flu season. I posted here about looking for respiratory distress in children with . In rare cases, viral-induced diaphragm damage in young children can increase likelihood of respiratory failure.

02/06/2025

To learn about emerging medical discovery in sudden infant deaths, see https://drdov.substack.com/p/companion-guide-opinion-uncovering?r=2ixo9n Diaphragm cramp is the mechanism and the evidence supporting it is not compelling, but convincing. I've spent two years researching this and have four papers published (2 letters to editors and 2 review papers). This link takes you to my plain-English companion guide to the formal article that was published in October 2024.

A plain-English summary of an emerging medical discovery in sudden infant death syndrome. Spontaneous "diaphragm cramp-contracture" (DCC) is thought to induce silent respiratory arrests in children with critical diaphragm fatigue.

02/03/2025

My first coauthored paper with SIDS guru, Prof Paul Goldwater MD, who's published more than 70 papers on sudden infant death syndrome! Peer reviewed and published online at the World Journal of Pediatrics.

We discuss how severe acidosis, sepsis and hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) might contribute to organ failure, including the heart and diaphragm.

Background Decades of mainstream SIDS research based on the Triple Risk Model and neuropathological findings have failed to provide convincing evidence for a primary CNS-based mechanism behind putative secondary dyshomeostasis (respiratory or cardiac) or impaired arousal. Newly revealed data indicat...