Substance Use Isn't the Whole Story, with Dr. Graham HusickSubstance Use Isn't the Whole Story, with Dr. Graham Husick
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addiction
Brenda Zane and Dr. Graham Husic talk about psychological testing as a crucial yet underused step for young people struggling with substance use and mental health. The conversation focuses on understanding the person behind the diagnosis so treatment can finally start to fit.
53:39•13 Aug 2026
Substance Use Is Only a Symptom: Why Psychological Testing Matters
Episode Overview
- Psychological evaluations can build a detailed profile of a young person, going far beyond a list of diagnoses.
- Rushing straight into treatment without proper assessment often leads to treating symptoms instead of the person.
- IQ and other cognitive testing can reveal hidden strengths and weaknesses that dramatically change how therapy should be delivered.
- The substances a young person prefers can offer clues about what they’re trying to feel or avoid, rather than being the whole story.
- Comprehensive testing is rarely fully supported by insurance, so families may need to weigh the benefits of paying out of pocket for better clarity.
“What happens a lot is that when we rush to begin treatment before really understanding what we're working with, we start to treat essentially the problem that's within the person rather than the person with the problem.”
How do different strategies aid in addiction recovery? This conversation between host Brenda Zane and clinical psychologist Dr. Graham Husic looks at one powerful, often missed tool: psychological testing. Parents of teens and young adults who’ve "been to treatment again and again" will recognise the frustration described here. Programmes hand back long lists of diagnoses, yet little seems to change. Dr.
Husic compares it to a surgeon operating on stomach pain without first doing a scan, and asks why families are pushed straight to "treatment, treatment, treatment" without first understanding who the young person actually is. You’ll hear a clear, jargon-light breakdown of what psychological evaluations are, what they’re not, and why focusing only on diagnosis can backfire.
As he puts it, the danger is that "we start to treat essentially the problem that's within the person rather than the person with the problem." He explains why he almost always tests IQ, how big gaps in ability can quietly derail therapy, and how test results can guide which approaches – from skills-based work to deeper psychodynamic therapy – are actually realistic for that individual. One especially striking section looks at the meaning behind different substances. Dr.
Husic shares how opiates feeling like "a warm hug" versus cocaine feeling like being "king of the castle" points to very different internal needs, and why the drug choice is a clue rather than the whole story. There’s frank talk about insurance limitations, why thorough testing often requires paying out of pocket, and how the right evaluation can sometimes lead to hard truths, such as a young person not being ready to come home.
Yet the mood stays grounded and hopeful, with both Brenda and Dr. Husic emphasising that better information can change treatment trajectories and spark a young person’s own curiosity about themselves. If you’re exhausted by chaos and repeated programmes, this episode offers a practical question: have you really scanned your child before signing them up for more surgery?
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