Author — Family & Addiction Medicine — Recovery Advocate
Medical Director Emeritus OMA PHP — Guitar and Music Enthusiast
Author — Family & Addiction Medicine — Recovery Advocate
Medical Director Emeritus OMA PHP — Guitar and Music Enthusiast
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.
Download the Book Club & Reader Guide — a companion resource designed to spark honest discussion, reflection, and connection.
Inside you’ll find:
Host of White Coat, Black Art on CBC Radio One and author of The Power of Teamwork: How We Can All Work Better Together
"Dr. I. Michael Kaufmann tells the unvarnished truth about his own journey from addiction to recovery to relapse and back again. It's a story patients and fellow health professionals need to hear because it's about an all
Host of White Coat, Black Art on CBC Radio One and author of The Power of Teamwork: How We Can All Work Better Together
"Dr. I. Michael Kaufmann tells the unvarnished truth about his own journey from addiction to recovery to relapse and back again. It's a story patients and fellow health professionals need to hear because it's about an all too common aspect of the human condition. Kaufmann's story is not pretty. Neither is addiction. That's why you need to read it.”
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, and author of Becoming a Doctors’ Doctor: A Memoir
"...this memoir is more than a story of a doctor who recovers from a severe substance use disorder. It is a human story—it is my story, many readers’ stories—of having to confront our personal
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, and author of Becoming a Doctors’ Doctor: A Memoir
"...this memoir is more than a story of a doctor who recovers from a severe substance use disorder. It is a human story—it is my story, many readers’ stories—of having to confront our personal vulnerabilities, with courage, honesty and self-care. And it is a beautiful love story, Michael and Judy, partners through thick and thin. A must read."
eVP Physician Wellness and Medical Culture, Canadian Medical Association
“As a pioneer and leader in physician wellness and addictions, Dr. Michael Kaufmann invites us into a medical school class and into his personal life to share his expertise and lived experience with addictions. The book aims to break the stigma, isolation, fear a
eVP Physician Wellness and Medical Culture, Canadian Medical Association
“As a pioneer and leader in physician wellness and addictions, Dr. Michael Kaufmann invites us into a medical school class and into his personal life to share his expertise and lived experience with addictions. The book aims to break the stigma, isolation, fear and shame that unfortunately surround addictions in the House of Medicine. It is a story of strength and hope. If one conversation can save a life, it is hoped that this compelling book will save many.”
Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and author of A Doctor’s Guide to Alternative Medicine and
An Apple a Day: A Holistic Health Primer
“An amazing biography which tells in great detail the journey of a physician as he transforms his life from one of addiction and despair to recovery and transformation. Whethe
Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and author of A Doctor’s Guide to Alternative Medicine and
An Apple a Day: A Holistic Health Primer
“An amazing biography which tells in great detail the journey of a physician as he transforms his life from one of addiction and despair to recovery and transformation. Whether you are a health care professional or a human being facing life challenges, you will be inspired and transformed by reading this incredible memoir.”
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and Editor of Canadian Family Physician
“Discover the Power of Recovery: Dr. Michael Kaufmann’s moving memoir reveals the hidden struggles of addiction within the medical profession and offers readers a raw and insightful journey i
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and Editor of Canadian Family Physician
“Discover the Power of Recovery: Dr. Michael Kaufmann’s moving memoir reveals the hidden struggles of addiction within the medical profession and offers readers a raw and insightful journey into the lives of those who heal others, but must also heal themselves. Dr. Kaufmann has both lived through addiction and recovery and dedicated much of his career to help others navigate this difficult journey.”
MSc, FCFP, ABAM, Specialist in Addiction medicine and author of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction
"Drugs, Lies & Docs is a refreshingly honest account of a physician’s addiction to opioids. Kaufmann’s storytelling is gripping and deeply informative, weaving vivid personal experiences with accessible explanations of addiction. With
MSc, FCFP, ABAM, Specialist in Addiction medicine and author of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction
"Drugs, Lies & Docs is a refreshingly honest account of a physician’s addiction to opioids. Kaufmann’s storytelling is gripping and deeply informative, weaving vivid personal experiences with accessible explanations of addiction. With rare insight as both a patient and physician, he stands alongside the best in the tradition of the ‘wounded healer’—Gabor Maté, Marc Lewis. A fascinating and essential read."
CCFP (PC) FCFP, Freeman Family Chair in Palliative Care & Medical Director, Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care, North York General Hospital, and Toronto Professor, Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
“A brutally honest, transparent and all too human narrati
CCFP (PC) FCFP, Freeman Family Chair in Palliative Care & Medical Director, Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care, North York General Hospital, and Toronto Professor, Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
“A brutally honest, transparent and all too human narrative of a physician’s journey of addiction and recovery. Dr. Michael Kaufmann’s lifetime memoir is ultimately about the courage to heal, leaving the reader inspired and hopeful that the disease of addiction can ultimately be overcome and controlled.”
CCFP, FCFP, graduate of the
PHP program founded by
Dr. Kaufmann, family doctor, Caduceus facilitator
“As I was reading Dr Michael Kaufmann's memoir I laughed and I cried. I was given the privilege of peering into the mind of a physician with an addiction disorder that was able to become healthy and live a solid life of recovery. It was fu
CCFP, FCFP, graduate of the
PHP program founded by
Dr. Kaufmann, family doctor, Caduceus facilitator
“As I was reading Dr Michael Kaufmann's memoir I laughed and I cried. I was given the privilege of peering into the mind of a physician with an addiction disorder that was able to become healthy and live a solid life of recovery. It was funny; it was sad; it was scary , and it was uncomfortable to follow along and witness his truly inspiring transformation and growth. As an addicted physician myself, I feel Dr. Kaufmann has done a stellar job in shedding light on what it's like to walk our path. Keep coming back Mike; love you, man!”
For over 45 years, Dr. Kaufmann has practiced family and addiction medicine. He is founding director of the Physician Health Program (PHP) of the Ontario Medical Association and a Fellow of both the American and International Societies of Addiction Medicine. Among his many awards are the Courage to Come Back award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a Lifetime Achievement in Addiction Medicine Award from the Addiction Medicine Section of the Ontario Medical Association, and Lifetime Membership Awards from both the Ontario and Canadian Medical Associations. The College of Family Physicians honoured him in 1991 with a Fellowship award and with lifetime membership in 2023.
He is currently PHP Emeritus Medical Director and a physician health consultant, speaker, author, musician, and mentor. He and his wife, Judy, live in rural Ontario where they enjoy community volunteering and bringing people together for music and discussion in the barn that once housed chickens and sheep.
Drugs, Lies & Docs: A Doctor's Memoir of Addiction, Recovery and More is an empathetic look at addiction and recovery within the medical profession and beyond.