Maia Szalavitz is an acclaimed journalist and author renowned for her expertise in neuroscience and addiction. With a career spanning over three decades, she has become one of the most prominent voices in the field, advocating for evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment and policy.
Szalavitz’s career as a journalist began in the late 1980s. Her work has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Washington Post, and Scientific American. She has reported extensively on topics ranging from addiction and mental health to neuroscience and public health.
Maia Szalavitz is the author of several influential books that have reshaped the public’s understanding of addiction and recovery.
In this episode:
- How her personal journey influenced her professional work and views on addiction
- Key misconceptions about addiction that persist in society today
- The role of trauma and mental health issues in the development and perpetuation of addiction
- Addiction as a learning disorder
- Harm Reduction and Radical Empathy
- The future of addiction treatment and the evolution of harm reduction in the next 10 to 20 years
- Signature Question: If you could tell a younger version of yourself something about addiction and/or Harm Reduction – what would it be?
