Dr. Andrea Barthwell, M.D.
D.F.A.S.A.M. | Addiction Medicine Specialist | Medical Reviewer
Background
Dr. Andrea G. Barthwell is a physician specializing in addiction medicine and behavioral health. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Wesleyan University in 1976 and her M.D. from the University of Michigan in 1980, with post-graduate work at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.
She is board-certified through the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) and holds the title of Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (D.F.A.S.A.M.), the organization's highest membership designation.
Government service
From 2002 to 2004, Dr. Barthwell served as Deputy Director for Demand Reduction at the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). In that role, she focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery support at the federal policy level.
Addiction medicine leadership
Dr. Barthwell served as President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and as President of the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine. She was the Founding Chair of the Board for the Foundation for Opioid Response Effort (FORE), an organization with a $100 million endowment dedicated to addressing the opioid crisis.
In clinical practice, she founded Two Dreams, an addiction treatment network with locations in Chicago, the Outer Banks, and New Orleans. She also serves as Director of Encounter Medical Group in Oak Park, Illinois.
Awards and recognition
- Named "Best Doctors in America" in addiction medicine (1997)
- Betty Ford Award from the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (2003)
- Distinguished Fellow, American Society of Addiction Medicine
Her role at Boundary Playbook
Dr. Barthwell reviews all published content on Boundary Playbook for clinical accuracy. Her background in addiction medicine and behavioral health is directly relevant to the topics covered here, particularly codependency, enabling patterns, and the relationship between substance use and boundary issues.
Her review process checks for three things:
- Accuracy. Are the psychological concepts presented correctly? Do the recommendations align with current clinical understanding?
- Scope. Does the content stay within the bounds of self-help, or does it stray into territory that requires a licensed professional?
- Safety. Could any advice lead someone to delay getting help when they need it? Are appropriate caveats included?
Content that passes review carries the "Reviewed by Dr. Andrea Barthwell" badge you see across the site.
For more on Dr. Barthwell's career and publications, see her Wikipedia page.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.