In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner responds to actress and filmmaker Natasha Lyonne’s recent public statement about having relapsed after more than 10 years in addiction recovery. Lyonne, who has a history of addiction to opioids, stimulants, and alcohol, took to social media to share reflections about the slip with her fans, which was met with an outpouring of support. You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here.
Lyonne’s reflection — “Recovery is a lifelong process. Anyone out there struggling, remember you’re not alone.” — speaks to how vulnerability to addictive behaviors can hide in the background after a long period of stable recovery, and the importance of remaining vigilant to avoid a relapse hitting when a person least expects it. Her insights also remind us of the importance of social support in recovery, and the fact that addiction recovery is a more common struggle than most people realize.Dr. Glasner addresses the questions that many are left contemplating: is relapse inevitable for those with addiction? Is recovery a lifelong battle? The information shared in this episode clears the air, explaining the science of addiction treatment, what is known about rates of long-term recovery, and how to move forward from a relapse. Dr. Glasner discusses the evidence surrounding addiction treatment, recovery and relapse risk, when one can be confident that they’re “out of the woods,” the number of treatment episodes most people need to recover from addiction, and why some people take longer than others to achieve long-term stability. If you or someone you love is in addiction recovery, this episode offers clear, evidence-based information about relapse prevention, risk factors for a return to substance use, and how to get to the other side of a relapse. Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode?
Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com
