I’m a nationally recognized expert in mental health, addiction, drug policy, and stigma. I’m also a physician living in long-term recovery. My lived addiction experience and medical background enable me to advocate for compassionate, science-backed public health policy in an accessible way.
As the co-founder and CEO of Elevyst, I lead a consulting firm dedicated to bridging the gap between public health and public safety. We work tirelessly to address the needs of communities across the United States by creating groundbreaking, data-driven projects that drive meaningful change. Read more about my background here.
My clients include public health and healthcare leaders, community-based organizations, government agencies, academics, and a range of criminal justice and law enforcement groups. They hire me to help them improve the lives of people with mental health and substance use disorders. Working collaboratively, we use proven, research-backed methods to make a measurable impact on community health and well-being.
Services
Education & Training
Enhance your quality of care: My custom training programs are informed by my background as a physician with lived addiction experience. Together we’ll build your team’s knowledge and develop their skills to improve traditional systems of care. I consistently deliver evidence-based, high-impact educational programming.
Curriculum Development & Evaluation
Drive measurable change: Together we’ll design an engaging curriculum that improves knowledge, changes perceptions, and leads to behavioral change. First, I address the unique challenges and objectives of your organization. Then I enlist academic partners to evaluate the impact of the curriculum by measuring attitudinal and behavior data.
Drug Policy Advocacy
Create a better world for everyone impacted by harsh drug policies: I work with local, state, and national leaders to push for effective policies and practices. We aim to expand access and eliminate barriers to evidence-based public health strategies. Join us in honoring the health, dignity, and human rights of people who use drugs, have substance use disorders, or are in recovery.
Impactful Research
Use data to inform evidence-based policies and practices: I seek out stakeholders who are passionate about applied research that leads to organizational and societal change. We conduct research projects on substance use, recovery, harm reduction, and stigma. For example, we study the impact of perceived substance use and recovery stigma.
Clients
Press
The Nation, “In the US, Mental Health Treatment Can Be a Death Sentence.”
Salon, “The most dangerous drug of 2023: Loneliness, Donald Trump, and you.”
LA Progressive, “Loneliness, Donald Trump, and You”
Sheriffs’ Office, Fairfax County, Virginia, “Harm Reduction and the Criminal Justice System”
City & State Pennsylvania, “Policy makers should change course on xylazine”
Washington Post, “Overdose prevention centers are tough sell in U.S. despite successes”
Filter, “Ending the X-Waiver Doesn’t End OUD-Meds Stigma in Health Care”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Sean Fogler and William Stauffer: How to help people who use drugs stop”
The Healthcare Security Cast: Episode 104 - Interview with Thomas Maioli & Sean Fogler
Delaware Valley Journal, “Saving PA hospitals critical for health of people who use drugs, our communities”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Sean Fogler: Helping the most vulnerable among us”
Testimonials
“Sincere. Compassionate. Dedicated. Driven. These are the words that first come to mind when I think about Sean. He has worked tirelessly to advocate for those with substance use disorders and harm reduction efforts. Sean successfully shares his personal experiences with a wide range of audiences and keeps them engaged with a good mix of anecdotal and evidence-based information. He’s full of ideas and willing to collaborate to get the best outcomes. And, he puts in the work to stay up-to-date in his field.
I’m happy to work with Sean through his efforts with the PA Sheriffs’ Association to build bridges between law enforcement and treatment professionals.”
“I have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with Sean Fogler MD on a complex project, he is hard working and insightful. He brings a lot to the table.”
What participants say about Sean’s training programs:
“The program opened my eyes to dropping stigma and keeping an open mind to substance use disorder and finding ways to help.”
“The presenters are all amazing and knowledgeable. I stayed engaged and interested the entire time.”
“There was a lot of information that I was unaware of or that was newly updated. The statistics on harm reduction were mind-blowing!”
“It was great to learn the different aspects of substance use disorder and ways to combat it. So much information is pushed, and it’s hard to sift through the truth.”
About Sean
Sean Fogler, MD is a distinguished social entrepreneur and nationally recognized expert in mental health, addiction, drug policy, and stigma. As the CEO and co-founder of Elevyst, a leading consulting group, he is dedicated to bridging the gap between public health and public safety to effectively address the needs of communities across the United States. In addition, Sean serves as a public health security consultant for various private and governmental organizations, leveraging his expertise to promote better health outcomes and enhance community safety.
Sean is also a physician living in long-term recovery, and uses his lived experience to advocate for compassionate, science-backed public health policies that are accessible and transformative. His dedication to advancing equitable solutions stems from a unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight.
Focusing on the intersection of drug policy, public health, and human rights, Sean's work is committed to protecting the dignity and rights of individuals living with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and those in recovery. He collaborates closely with public health leaders, healthcare professionals, community-based organizations, and criminal justice system stakeholders to drive impactful change.
Through his writing and speaking engagements, Sean educates, informs, and works tirelessly to reduce stigma, advocate for improved US drug policies, and champion research-driven public health solutions. His mission is to dismantle barriers that prevent individuals from living self-directed, connected lives while promoting the overall health and well-being of communities nationwide.
Sean’s latest research initiative delves into the impact of stigma—a growing public health crisis contributing to record-breaking rates of addiction and overdose in the United States. By addressing this urgent issue, he strives to create systemic change and save lives.