Stigma doesn’t just hurt feelings, it changes medical decisions, family dynamics, and whether someone stays in care long enough to recover. That’s why we sat down with Jeanne Foot, founder and CEO of the Recovery Concierge and host of the Naturally High Podcast, for an honest conversation about what stigma against substance use disorders looks like in real life and what we can do differently.

We trace stigma from the personal to the systemic: Jeanne’s experience entering recovery in the early 1990s, the shame that follows families when a child is struggling, and the quiet “whispering” that keeps people isolated. We also talk about stigma in healthcare, including how people in alcohol withdrawal or opioid withdrawal can be treated as if they don’t deserve comfort or evidence-based care, even though alcohol detox can be fatal and fentanyl has made relapse risk terrifyingly high.

From there, we get practical. We share how compassion and advocacy help clients face judgment without bolting from care, why nervous system regulation tools matter in the hardest moments, and how fundamentals like sleep, nutrition, and movement can support mental health and addiction recovery alongside therapy and medication. We also dig into language, why labels can wound, and why the best recovery plan is the one that fits the person, whether that’s AA, SMART Recovery, peer support, or something unconventional that actually works.

If you care about addiction medicine, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, or supporting a loved one, hit play, then subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

To learn about The Recovery Concierge: https://therecoveryconcierge.com/

To check out the Naturally High podcast: https://naturallyhigh.transistor.fm/

To contact Dr. Grover: [email protected]