Dismantling Addiction’s Silent Killer
According to recent data released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), nearly 49 million Americans identify as having a substance use disorder. With such a pervasive disorder, it is important to understand the measures that are being taken to address the issue. In the recently launched The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast, Glasner delves into the latest research and developments regarding evidence-based treatment for addiction, providing listeners with expert insights and advice that can help transform the addiction crisis. Glasner is an author, clinical psychologist, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and chief scientific officer at Pelago, a virtual clinic for substance use care. Her podcast aims to educate and empower those affected by addiction, whether directly or indirectly, by exploring innovative treatments, interviewing leading experts and sharing stories of recovery and resilience.
In her inaugural podcast episode, “Dismantling addiction’s silent killer,” Glasner speaks with Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization and leader in improving the ways the healthcare system addresses and treats substance use disorders. Mendell’s journey to founding Shatterproof began with a personal tragedy — the loss of his son to addiction. This heart-wrenching and profound loss fueled his mission to transform how society perceives and deals with addiction. “It wasn’t just substance use disorder or addiction that took my son’s life,” shared Mendell, “It was shame.” He founded Shatterproof to reduce the devastation that addiction causes to families and communities. The national nonprofit guides people impacted by substance use disorders — especially families — through the complexities of substance use; informs the public on addiction prevention, treatment and recovery; and educates the public to reduce the stigma of addiction to ensure that people who use substances or who have substance use disorders can live healthy and fulfilled lives.
One innovative life-saving tool Shatterproof shared during the podcast was the Shatterproof Treatment Atlas® platform. Treatment Atlas is a public-facing website that is free and confidential. It is designed to use validated measures to assess the quality of substance use disorder treatment facilities, thereby aiding an increasing number of families in crisis through streamlined research, comparison and selection of substance use disorder treatment programs. By displaying transparent, reliable data on substance use disorder treatment facilities, Treatment Atlas is increasing the number of individuals who engage with life-saving treatment while reducing the number that give up on finding care, settle for inadequate treatment or fall victim to predatory schemes. Mendell’s insights into how technology and data can revolutionize addiction treatment provide a clear vision of the future of healthcare.
Throughout the episode, Mendell emphasizes the importance of changing the public perception of addiction. He highlights that addiction should be treated as a chronic medical condition rather than a moral failing and outlines how Shatterproof is working to shift this narrative. Addiction stigma, and the accompanying discrimination experienced by those with substance use disorders, are critical drivers of the overdose crisis in our country. Addiction stigma leads to thousands of preventable deaths every year. By working with lawmakers and healthcare professionals, Mendell aims to implement changes that increase access to treatment and support recovery-friendly environments across the U.S.
During the episode, Glasner and Mendell discuss the various barriers that affect both individuals navigating the complexities of substance use disorders and the medical professionals who aim to support them. For people with substance use disorders, common barriers can include stigma, lack of access to quality care, financial constraints, and fear of legal consequences. As Mendell reveals from the Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index (SASI), “More than 60% of the public is unwilling to be a friend, a coworker or a neighbor of someone with a substance use disorder.” Mendell highlights this statistic to reveal how damaging stigma can be to a person struggling with a substance use disorder. These challenges can often prevent individuals from seeking the help they need, exacerbating their conditions and reducing their chances of recovery. Medical professionals can also face significant obstacles in treating victims of substance use. These include limited training in addiction medicine, legal barriers, and policy restraints, as well as insufficient resources to provide comprehensive care. Glasner and Mendell emphasize the need for better education and training for healthcare providers to better equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively treat addiction.
This episode is a must-listen for all audiences interested in understanding addiction and its impact as well as the multiple layers of addiction stigma. Glasner and Mendell provide a comprehensive overview of the importance of empathy, education and systemic change in addressing the addiction crisis. Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNeFP1TfF7c
