Addiction affects millions of people, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized medical conditions. This week on SHE MD, Mary Alice Haney sits down with Dr. Sarah Wakeman, a nationally recognized addiction medicine specialist, Harvard Medical School faculty member, and leading advocate for evidence-based addiction treatment.

Dr. Wakeman shares how her experiences treating patients revealed a troubling reality: people struggling with addiction are often treated very differently than those with other chronic illnesses. Together, they explore why addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing, and what needs to change in healthcare, policy, and public perception.

The conversation also dives into alcohol use, women's unique health risks, pregnancy, breast cancer, and the growing body of research on how alcohol impacts long-term health. This episode is an eye-opening discussion about stigma, recovery, compassion, and the power of treating addiction with science instead of judgment.

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What You’ll Learn

Why addiction is a chronic medical condition
How stigma impacts addiction treatment
Why women experience alcohol differently
The link between alcohol and breast cancer
Alcohol's effects during pregnancy
Common myths about addiction recovery
What evidence-based addiction care looks like
Why compassion improves outcomes
The role of trauma in substance use disorders
How to support someone struggling with addiction

Key Timestamps

00:00 Why Alcohol Is More Dangerous Than Most People Think

03:02 What Alcohol Actually Does To Your Brain

06:48 Why Some People Become Addicted Faster Than Others

10:42 The Science Behind Alcohol Cravings

14:56 When Drinking Becomes A Real Problem

18:37 Why Addiction Changes Your Brain

22:14 Women & Why Alcohol Affects Them Differently

26:03 Alcohol, Anxiety & The Sleep Problem

30:21 Signs You May Need To Cut Back Drinking

37:05 The Best Treatments For Alcohol Use Disorder

41:36 New Medications That Reduce Alcohol Cravings

44:43 Why Menopause Makes Alcohol Harder To Tolerate

45:37 Teens, Alcohol & Parenting Conversations

46:42 The Biggest Protective Factors Against Addiction

53:05 Why Scare Tactics Fail Teenagers

57:39 How To Help Someone With Alcohol Problems

58:35 Why Tough Love Usually Doesn't Work

01:01:17 Supporting Loved Ones Without Enabling

01:07:58 Questions To Ask Yourself About Drinking

Key Takeaways

Addiction should be treated like any other chronic illness, with evidence-based medical care and long-term support.
Stigma and judgment often prevent people from getting the treatment they need.
Many people with addiction have histories of trauma, adversity, or significant life challenges.
Alcohol carries real health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, even at lower levels of consumption.
Women metabolize alcohol differently and may experience greater health impacts than men.
Recovery is possible, especially when treatment is rooted in science, compassion, and individualized care.
Language matters; how we talk about addiction can either reinforce stigma or support healing.
Understanding addiction as a medical condition is essential to improving care and saving lives.

Guest Bio

Dr. Sarah Wakeman is a nationally recognized leader in addiction medicine, a graduate of Brown University, and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. She is double board-certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine and serves as the Program Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Addiction Medicine Fellowship.

Throughout her career, Dr. Wakeman has been at the forefront of transforming how substance use disorders are treated, advocating for evidence-based, compassionate care that replaces stigma with science. She has helped develop innovative treatment programs, mentored the next generation of addiction medicine specialists, and worked to expand access to life-saving care for patients across the healthcare system.

As a physician, educator, and national thought leader, Dr. Wakeman is passionate about changing the conversation around addiction; helping people understand that substance use disorder is a medical condition, not a moral failing, and that recovery is possible with the right support and treatment.

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