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We're Out of Time

We're Out of Time

Maia Szalavitz: Addiction Isn't About Drugs. It's About Pain

Jun 16, 2026 · 1h 5m

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About this episode

What actually helps people recover from addiction? In this powerful episode of We're Out of Time, Richard Taite sits down with NY Times bestselling author, journalist, and leading voice in addiction science Maia Szalavitz to explore recovery, trauma, harm reduction, and the role of compassion in healing.Drawing from both personal experience and decades of research, Maia challenges common assumptions about addiction and explains why shame, punishment, and stigma so often fail to create lasting change. This episode covers: • Maia's journey from addiction to recovery and becoming one of today's most important addiction author • Why addiction is often rooted in pain, trauma, and disconnection •…