Dr. Elizabeth Zona: US Healthcare’s Struggle with Addiction | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this enlightening episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Zona—an anesthesiologist turned addiction medicine specialist. Dr. Zona shares her unique journey from managing airways in trauma centers to addressing the complex challenges of addiction recovery. Her story is one of transformation, resilience, and a deep commitment to making a difference in a field fraught with stigma.

Dr. Zona dives into the challenges of addiction in the medical field, discussing the stigma that often prevents healthcare professionals from seeking help. She reflects on the biases faced by both patients and doctors in recovery, highlighting the systemic obstacles that hinder progress. She also explains why understanding the neurobiology of addiction is essential for breaking down misconceptions and providing effective care, emphasizing that addiction is not simply a choice but a complex condition requiring empathy and education.

The conversation sheds light on systemic barriers to treatment, such as restrictive insurance policies, time limitations during patient care, and the pervasive influence of Big Pharma. Dr. Zona shares her frustrations with how these issues limit the ability of healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care and how they perpetuate a cycle of dependency rather than recovery.

She also opens up about her personal motivation for pivoting into addiction medicine, driven by the loss of a childhood friend to the opioid crisis. This tragedy sparked her determination to create meaningful change and inspired her advocacy for better resources and education in addiction care. Through her work, Dr. Zona honors the memory of her friend and strives to prevent similar losses for other families.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Zona highlights the resilience and strength of individuals in recovery, describing how their transformation fuels her passion for her work. She emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to recovery, including community support, therapy, medication, and spirituality, as key components to overcoming addiction.

Follow us on all our social media platforms down below

INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics/?igshid=Mzc1MmZhNjY%3D

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4diCrlmIyqrkE2e22mFgU1?si=2df7f5920f944098

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thehopeaholicspodcast/

TREATMENT : https://www.hopebythesea.com