Addiction is a frightening disorder with complex root causes, affecting a staggering one in every five people over the age of 14. To explore the intricate nature of addiction, we invited Dr. Judith Grisel, a renowned psychology professor at Bucknell University and the author of Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction, to the conversation.

What makes this conversation so powerful is not only Dr. Grisels wealth of knowledge but also her ability to explain complicated ideas in such a relatable way. And what’s even more remarkable is her own history with substance abuse and how, with effective treatment and understanding, she embarked on her own thirty-plus-year road to recovery.

Combining science-based understanding with learned experience, Judith explains how addiction affects the brain, the social, psychological, and genetic factors that play a part, as well as the value of de-stigmatization, support, and early treatment. Whether you or someone you love has been impacted by addiction, her insights, and transformational story are sure to provide guidance and hope.

Listen and Learn:

Judith details her own experience with substance abuse and explains what it did for her on a psychological level
What is the link between genetic liability and substance use during adolescent years that makes individuals more susceptible to addiction?
Why the use of drugs is not a moral weakness
Can even moderate use of alcohol be detrimental to your health and well-being?
The neurological process that happens when it comes to addiction
The turning point that motivated Judith's road to recovery
Why support, early treatment, and curiosity could be the keys to your recovery
Are some drugs harder to quit than others?
The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety; it's freedom
What can society do to combat the underlying causes of addiction?

Resources:

Learn more about Judith
Judith’s book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction - TED Talk by Judith Grisel

About Judith Grisel

Dr. Judith Grisel is a behavioral neuroscientist with a particular interest in addiction. Her research attempts to identify psychological and genetic factors that lead some people to develop drug addictions while others in similar circumstances do not. Grisel’s work is inspired by her own personal experience with addiction, a struggle she chronicled in her book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction. The work, which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for science books, established Grisel as a leading expert on the science of substance abuse. That reputation earned her an invitation to speak on addiction panels at the 2020 World Economic Forum.

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