The Stigma of Addiction - With Dr. Jonathan Avery

The Stigma of Addiction - With Dr. Jonathan Avery

Ever thought about how society views addiction? In this episode of 'The Beyond Addiction Show', Dr. Josh King sits down with Dr. Jonathan Avery, an addiction psychiatrist at Weill Cornell and NY Presbyterian Hospitals. Dr. Avery is an authority on the stigma that shadows addiction and its impact on those seeking help. Together, they dissect the harsh realities of societal attitudes towards addiction and the hurdles these create for people trying to get treatment.

They dive into how the words we use can reinforce negative perceptions and discuss ways to shift the conversation to be more supportive and understanding. Dr. Avery shares eye-opening research revealing that medical professionals often hold more negative attitudes towards patients with substance use disorders than any other condition. The episode highlights the critical role of community outreach and changing perspectives to break down these barriers. Dr. King and Dr.

Avery stress the importance of seeing individuals with substance use disorders as people first, not just labels. They also provide valuable resources for those looking to support a loved one battling addiction. This episode is a call to action to rethink how we talk about and treat addiction, aiming to foster a more compassionate and effective approach.