SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery
Public Policy is More Than Just ideas
Public Policy is More Than Just ideas
Public Policy is More Than Just ideas
Thursday 16th October 2025
Explore how public policy impacts addiction recovery with Amber Lashbaugh on the SMART Recovery Podcast.
33 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Educational
About this podcast
Author:
SMART Recovery
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Body & Mind
Financial Health in Recovery
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Episodes:
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Episode Overview
- Public policy can have real-world impacts on addiction recovery.
- Technology plays a crucial role in modern recovery strategies.
- Individual choice is central to SMART Recovery's approach.
- Research should inform compassionate addiction policies.
- Barriers for women in recovery need targeted policy solutions.
"Policy shapes perceptions and stigma. It creates the environment in which people live and access health."
What makes public policy more than just ideas? This episode of the SMART Recovery Podcast brings you an engaging conversation with Amber Lashbaugh, a dynamic figure in the world of addiction recovery and policy. Amber shares her journey from tech enthusiast to a passionate advocate for addiction policy, blending her lived experiences with her educational pursuits at Georgetown University.
As co-president of Hoyas for Recovery, Amber highlights how public policy can significantly impact real-world issues, making resources more accessible and promoting health in mind, body, and spirit. Amber's story is one of resilience and transformation. She candidly discusses her personal battles with substance use, the challenges she faced, and how she found her way to recovery. Her involvement with SMART Recovery and initiatives like Hoyas for Recovery underscores the importance of individual choice in defining one's recovery path.
Amber also sheds light on the critical role of technology in addiction treatment, from apps that support recovery journeys to AI tools that help track mental health patterns. The conversation also touches on broader themes such as the decriminalisation of survival and the impact of punitive policies on vulnerable communities. Amber advocates for policies informed by research and compassion, aiming to dismantle barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help.
Her insights into the intersection of policy and personal experience provide a fresh perspective on addiction recovery. As you listen, you'll find yourself reflecting on how public policy can truly shape lives. What role does technology play in modern recovery strategies? How can we support individuals in defining their own recovery journeys? Dive into this thought-provoking episode and explore these questions with Amber Lashbaugh.