Commonwealth Club of California Podcast Mother of Methadone and Fighting Against Today’s Addiction Crisis
Dec 1, 2025
Dr. Melody Glenn, an associate professor of addiction medicine and author of 'Mother of Methadone', sheds light on the crucial legacy of Dr. Marie Nyswander, who pioneered methadone treatment for heroin addiction. They discuss the persistent stigma surrounding methadone and its historical roots, which include political and racial biases. Glenn emphasizes the importance of harm reduction and advocates for patient-centered clinical practices. The conversation also touches on the need for improved addiction education and addressing modern challenges posed by fentanyl.
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Clinic Visit That Sparked The Book
- Melody Glenn describes her first visit to a methadone clinic, noting police, barbed wire, and punitive urine testing rules.
- She felt the clinic environment was carceral and realized her own internalized stigma about methadone.
Methadone's Transformative Yet Troubled Legacy
- Methadone maintenance reframed addiction as a medical disease and proved daily methadone could relieve cravings and stabilize lives.
- Melody Glenn compares its significance to the discovery of the first antibiotic and asks why its promise faltered over decades.
Why Methadone Attracted Stigma
- Methadone was demonized partly because it is itself an opioid and thus seen as adding to drug supply.
- Political mistrust, racial fears, and competition from abstinence programs amplified stigma against methadone.
