Let's Talk Addiction & Recovery

A self-described introvert thrust into an extrovert's job as the First Lady of North Dakota, Kathryn Burgum has clearly found her voice as a leading advocate for addiction recovery. Listen in as Burgum talks with host William C. Moyers about the intersection of her personal recovery experience and her public persona and platform. She explains why she's on a mission to eliminate stigma: every recov...

As science further reveals the neurobiology of addiction, treatment providers are able to tailor increasingly customized care for patients. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with addiction psychiatrist Marvin D. Seppala, MD, about the most promising advancements in personalized treatment for substance use disorders. Learn how technology, genetics and predictive analytics can be used to hel...

Children who experience the trauma of parental addiction tend to blame themselves for what's happening. But caregivers and educators can help kids understand the truth: addiction is an illness that isn't caused by anything a child has done or not done. Listen in as host William C. Moyers asks children's therapist Jerry Moe about his work with Sesame Street in Communities to create developmentally...

Photojournalist, author, philanthropist and daughter of Former First Lady Betty Ford, Susan Ford Bales recounts the 1978 family intervention that led to her mother's treatment for addiction. Listen in as she tells host William C. Moyers the moving story behind the founding of the Betty Ford Center—her family's unconditional love, her mother's extraordinary courage, and the never-give-up legacy of...

With her first sip of alcohol as a teen (tasted horrible, felt great), Holly S. discovered something she wasn't even looking for: a ready anesthetic for life. Listen in as Holly talks with host William C. Moyers about drinking away her college years while knowing, deep inside, she had a serious problem. Holly describes how her father's death gave her a second chance at life, why asking for help wa...

Tucker R. "crash-landed" into rehab at age 22. It was his fourth try at treatment, and this time, he was ready to do a few things differently. Like actually take suggestions. Listen in as Tucker talks with host William C. Moyers about what it's like to be a young man in recovery from alcohol and heroin addiction. He explains how he's found his people—as part a thriving collegiate recovery program—...

For adolescents today, social media can amplify ordinary feelings of inadequacy or loneliness into fatalistic thinking and even an increased vulnerability to risky or harmful behaviors. What's a parent to do? Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with psychiatrist Joseph Lee, MD, about the convergence of cultural polarization, family stressors, technology and other influences on the health and...

Nearly one in three children in America grow up in homes impacted by addiction—and most have no idea that other kids wake up with the same worries every day. Sesame Street's newest Muppet, Karli, is helping millions of kids affected by parental addiction feel a little less alone. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with beloved children's advocate and clinician Jerry Moe, who collaborated on...

While addiction is recognized as America's No. 1 public health problem, very few medical schools require or even offer education on substance use disorders. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with three medical students who shadowed clinicians and patients during weeklong educational "residencies" at Hazelden Betty Ford treatment centers. The students share what they learned about the perva...

Research reveals more every day about the complexities of addiction recovery, including the importance of sober support and relapse prevention strategies. Fortunately, new technologies put many of these game-changing recovery tools within reach for millions. Listen in as addiction clinician Janelle Wesloh talks with host William C. Moyers about the most promising innovations in recovery support—co...

Women are far less likely than men to access treatment for addiction, and women who do seek care are far more medically compromised by the time they enter rehab than their male counterparts. Addiction psychiatrist Kristen Schmidt, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about factors that influence the progression and treatment of substance use disorder among women. The doctor's advice for women in...

The correlation between trauma and substance use disorders is off the charts. And it's a combination that complicates the addiction treatment and recovery process for many patients. Listen in as psychiatrist Kristen Schmidt, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about the use of trauma-informed practices in addiction treatment, approaches that take into account the different ways patients experien...

Treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction comes in many different varieties. So what are your best options when you or your loved one need help? Addiction recovery expert Christopher Yadron, PhD, joins host William C. Moyers to discuss today's most-effective addiction treatment programs, including: specific treatment modalities for opioid, alcohol and meth addiction, important mental health c...

Emerging evidence shows a strong correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health issues—especially addiction—in adulthood. Psychiatrist Stephen Delisi, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about long-term effects of childhood trauma on health and resilience. Dr. Delisi explains why many clinicians now use a 10-question ACEs survey with patients to identify childhood ris...

Job stress and emotional exhaustion among physicians, nurses, therapists, addiction counselors and other health care providers pose a major threat to quality care and patient safety. Listen in as educator and recovery advocate Joseph Skrajewski talks with host William C. Moyers about the prevalence of burnout syndrome in the health care field, including the increased risk of developing addiction....

Anyone who's watched as alcohol or other drugs take over a family member's life understands the dilemma: would an intervention help to turn things around, or might it make matters worse? Listen in as addiction clinician and intervention specialist Drew Horowitz talks with host William C. Moyers about the intervention process—what happens, who is typically involved, when to take action, how to prep...

Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with celebrated psychotherapist for the rich and famous, Paul Hokemeyer, PhD, about his book, Fragile Power: Why Having Everything Is Never Enough . Hokemeyer explains why insecurity, shame and emotional pain are part of the human condition, no matter the size of your fan base or bank account. More important, he shares that empathy (available to everyone)...

When is a drinking problem actually addiction? What are the physical and psychological symptoms of alcohol dependence? Can genetics or family history predispose a person to alcohol addiction? Listen in as psychiatrist Stephen Delisi, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about the warning signs of alcohol use disorder (the term doctors now use for alcoholism), including physical and mental health...

Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with three young adults about the process of rebuilding their lives after struggling with the disease of addiction. Panelists describe how and why they made the turn away from addiction to seek help, and share the biggest lessons learned along the way—about shame, adversity, strength, perspective and gratitude. The best thing about getting clean and sober...

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Johnny Solomon opens up with host William C. Moyers about the mix of self-doubt, addiction and undiagnosed bipolar disorder that led him further and further away from the person he wanted to be—and the healing he found (and continues to find) by reaching out for help and support. Now in long-term recovery, Solomon guides others along that healing path as an addiction an...

Listen in as three people in long-term recovery from addiction talk with host William C. Moyers about reclaiming their lives from alcohol and other drugs. With candor and humility, each describes the hope and healing they've experienced in Twelve Step recovery as well as the challenges they continue to navigate one day at a time. So what's the secret to staying sober? Hint: it has a lot to do with...

Unique programs at Hazelden Betty Ford treatment centers bring medical students, physicians, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals to campus for intensive, week-long educational "residencies" on addiction and recovery. Listen in as the program director, Joseph Skrajewski, talks with host William C. Moyers about the importance of equipping more health and human services...

Learn why outpatient addiction treatment has become an increasingly viable option, especially for people with opioid use disorder. Recovery expert and clinician Matthew Polacheck, PsyD, joins host William C. Moyers to discuss the growth of outpatient addiction treatment programs, the importance of individualized care, and the vital role of peer support and for a healthy and thriving recovery.

Listen in as Joseph Skrajewski, Wall-Streeter-turned-addiction-educator, talks with host William C. Moyers about the difference between being sober and being in recovery. Discover why sobriety from alcohol or other drug use becomes, for many, the starting place for ongoing personal transformation. Learn more about the role of addiction treatment, the risk of relapse and the importance of addiction...

Why is alcohol withdrawal so dangerous? How long does alcohol detox take? What's involved in treatment for alcoholism? Listen in as host William C. Moyers asks addiction recovery expert Marvin D. Seppala, MD, about the symptoms and complications of alcohol withdrawal, the process for safely detoxing from alcohol and the most effective ways to treat mild, moderate or severe alcohol use disorder.