Brandon McNally, RN
Registered Nurse, Addiction & Behavioral Health Specialist
Clinical Background
Brandon McNally is a Registered Nurse with specialized training and extensive experience in addiction medicine and behavioral health nursing. He provides comprehensive medical review for health content to ensure clinical accuracy, patient safety, and alignment with current evidence-based practices and clinical guidelines.
With hands-on experience in acute care settings, behavioral health units, and addiction treatment facilities, Brandon brings practical clinical knowledge and real-world nursing expertise to every piece of content he reviews. His role is critical in maintaining the medical integrity and safety of all health information published on TalkingAlcohol.org.
Clinical Experience
Addiction Treatment Settings
- •Inpatient detoxification and withdrawal management
- •Residential addiction treatment programs
- •Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs
- •Dual diagnosis treatment coordination
Behavioral Health
- •Psychiatric nursing and mental health assessment
- •Crisis intervention and de-escalation
- •Co-occurring disorders treatment
- •Trauma-informed care practices
Clinical Skills
- •Patient assessment and monitoring
- •Medication administration and management
- •Vital signs monitoring and interpretation
- •Patient education and discharge planning
Specialized Knowledge
- •Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) management
- •Pharmacology of addiction treatment
- •Medical complications of alcohol use
- •Evidence-based addiction nursing practices
Medical Review Role
As the medical reviewer for TalkingAlcohol.org, Brandon's responsibilities extend beyond simple fact-checking. He conducts comprehensive clinical reviews of all health content to ensure that information is not only accurate but also safe, appropriate, and aligned with current standards of care in addiction medicine.
His clinical background enables him to identify potential safety concerns that might not be obvious to non-clinical writers, verify the accuracy of medical terminology and concepts, assess whether treatment recommendations align with evidence-based practices, and ensure that the content appropriately emphasizes the importance of professional medical care.
Review Process & Standards
Brandon's medical review process includes:
Accuracy Verification
Confirming that all medical facts, statistics, and clinical information are correct and sourced from reputable medical literature and guidelines.
Safety Assessment
Identifying any information that could be misinterpreted or pose safety risks. Ensuring appropriate warnings and emergency guidance are included where needed.
Clinical Guideline Alignment
Verifying that treatment recommendations and medical advice align with current clinical practice guidelines from organizations like SAMHSA, ASAM, and the American Psychiatric Association.
Terminology Precision
Ensuring medical and clinical terminology is used correctly and appropriately for the intended audience without sacrificing accuracy.
Scope of Practice Review
Confirming that content appropriately distinguishes between information for educational purposes and recommendations that require professional medical consultation.
Credentials & Professional Development
- Registered Nurse (RN) - Active nursing licensure in good standing
- Behavioral Health Experience - Clinical practice in psychiatric and addiction treatment settings
- MAT Training - Education in medication-assisted treatment protocols and pharmacology
- Withdrawal Management - Specialized training in alcohol withdrawal syndrome assessment and treatment
- Continuing Education - Regular participation in addiction nursing conferences, evidence-based practice seminars, and clinical updates
- Evidence-Based Practice - Training in research evaluation and implementation of evidence-based interventions
Commitment to Patient Safety
Brandon's approach to medical review is grounded in the nursing principle of "first, do no harm." He understands that health information published online can directly influence people's decisions about seeking treatment, following medical advice, and managing their health conditions.
His clinical experience working with patients in active addiction and early recovery informs his review process. He ensures that content is not only medically accurate but also presented in a way that encourages appropriate help-seeking behavior, emphasizes the importance of professional medical evaluation, and provides realistic expectations about treatment and recovery.
By maintaining rigorous medical review standards, Brandon helps ensure that TalkingAlcohol.org serves as a trustworthy resource for individuals seeking information about alcohol use disorders, treatment options, and recovery pathways.
Medical Review Philosophy
"Health information can save lives when it's accurate and accessible. My role is to ensure that every piece of content we publish is clinically sound, safe, and supports informed decision-making. People seeking information about alcohol use disorders deserve content they can trust—content that will guide them toward appropriate care rather than inadvertently causing harm."