In this powerful episode, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore stigma from two deeply connected vantage points: the clinical world of healthcare and the lived reality of addiction and recovery. Dr. Christopher Suelzer, a retired internal medicine physician with decades of experience treating veterans, shares his perspective on how stigma within the medical community affects patient care and trust. Then, we meet Gloria Haynes, a woman in long-term recovery whose journey from addiction to becoming a respected peer recovery coach reveals the transformative power of support and self-worth. Together, their insights challenge us to dismantle bias and see the humanity behind the diagnosis.
Segment 1: Professional Interview Summary
Dr. Christopher Suelzer, a primary care physician and long-time advocate for veterans and people with substance use disorders, offers a candid look into the role healthcare providers play in perpetuating or alleviating stigma. He describes how stigmatizing assumptions—often subconscious—can erode trust, reduce treatment efficacy, and undermine patient autonomy. Drawing from real-life examples, he emphasizes that providers must challenge ingrained biases, receive better training, and prioritize compassion alongside clinical skill. Dr. Suelzer also explores the systemic nature of stigma, how language and charting practices reinforce it, and the urgent need for exposure to recovery narratives in medical education.
Segment 2: Personal Story Summary
Jodi Miller sits down with Gloria Haynes, a certified peer recovery coach and perinatal community health worker whose recovery journey began in a Cook County jail. Gloria recounts her descent from a fast-paced life in Chicago into addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. Through court-ordered treatment and a critical moment of surrender, she found her way into long-term recovery. Gloria’s story highlights the impact of supportive judges, the healing power of community, and the strength that comes from lived experience. Today, she works with pregnant and postpartum women, physicians, and recovery programs, using her voice to inspire connection, empathy, and change.
Takeaways
