Aliya Pasik, MS, PA-C
Aliya Pasik, MS, PA-C, is a nationally recognized addiction medicine provider and the Director of the Addiction Medicine Program at the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine. Her path to this work has been anything but straightforward—beginning in TV news, moving through the pharmaceutical industry, and ultimately leading her to a career where compassion and science meet.
Aliya started as a reporter, telling stories that ranged from heartwarming community moments to deeply traumatic events. While covering a deadly police standoff in Traverse City, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of trauma and mental illness. That moment stayed with her, sparking a deep and lasting commitment to helping people in crisis.
She went on to spend nearly a decade at Merck Pharmaceuticals, where she cultivated a fascination with how medications work and how they can be used to improve lives. When a corporate downsizing coincided with her divorce and the challenges of being a single mother, Aliya made a life-altering choice: to follow her calling into medicine. She invested her severance into PA school prerequisites, pushed past her self-doubt, and graduated with top honors—driven by the belief that her future work could help people reclaim their lives.
Today, Aliya has guided thousands of patients toward recovery, always with the philosophy that addiction is not a choice—but healing is. She believes recovery should be empowering, never punishing, and that the right tools offered with compassion can change the course of someone’s life.
Her book, The Sobriety Manual, is a reflection of everything she’s learned—as a clinician, an advocate, and a survivor. It is both practical and heartfelt, blending evidence-based strategies with warmth, honesty, and hope. Above all, it’s a reminder that no one has to walk the road to recovery alone.
From the Clinic to the Stage:
Aliya on Addiction, Healing, and Hope
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Aliya addresses the rise of substance abuse in adults over 50, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She explores underlying causes such as ADHD, loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and explains how these can lead to self-medication. Drawing from her clinical expertise, she shares medical, cognitive, and holistic strategies to help patients and families start conversations that lead to lasting recovery.
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Aliya introduces the Addiction Medicine Program at the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, offering personalized detox and recovery services. She explains how patients—new or returning—can access tailored care plans and seamless transitions, all with the goal of meeting the community’s growing need for compassionate addiction treatment.
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In this personal reflection, Aliya shares the inspiration behind her book, The Sobriety Manual, written to celebrate her 10 years at RCBM and to help patients navigate addiction with clarity and hope. With eight short chapters and an ADHD-friendly design, the book offers practical tools like her “sober you” vs. “addict you” journaling method, guidance for managing cravings, and strategies for rebuilding relationships—all delivered with warmth and humor.
Partner with Aliya
Aliya is a nationally recognized addiction medicine provider and the author of The Sobriety Manual. Her speaking style blends clinical insight with deep humanity—and often, a much-needed sense of humor.
She is available for:
Keynote talks and workshops
Book club or treatment center group discussions
Professional panels on addiction, recovery, or women in medicine
Consulting with treatment providers or facilities interested in incorporating The Sobriety Manual
Past topics include:
Reducing shame and stigma in recovery
Humor as a therapeutic tool
Navigating burnout as a clinician
Helping patients move from addiction to autonomy
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re planning a conference, hosting a workshop, or looking to bring The Sobriety Manual to your community, Aliya would love to hear from you. Share a few details about your event or inquiry below, and we’ll be in touch soon.