The Dr Suzette Glasner Podcast

Dr. Suzette Glasner
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dr. Glasner is a clinical psychologist, addiction scientist, award-winning author, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA in the David Geffen School of Medicine. The Dr. Suzette Glasner podcast discusses the latest advances in addiction science, trends in alcohol and other substance use, misuse, and addiction across the lifespan, and how to use the science underlying addictive behaviors and the effects of substance use on the brain to shape our health behaviors and every day lives. drglasner.substack.com

  1. Ep. 42: Aaron Prager, Son of Dennis Prager: From Near Death to Addiction Recovery

    9H AGO

    Ep. 42: Aaron Prager, Son of Dennis Prager: From Near Death to Addiction Recovery

    In this in-depth conversation, Aaron Prager — son of Dennis Prager and host of American Recovery on PragerU — joins addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner to share his most detailed account yet of his struggle with severe addiction and the transformation that followed. Aaron reflects on how addiction to alcohol and methamphetamine progressively took hold of his life, eroding his sense of purpose, isolating him from his family, and leading to psychosis, deepening depression, and despair. What began as experimentation evolved into a life-threatening physiological dependence — the kind that carries a significant risk of mortality. Though he wrestled with and at times rejected religion throughout his upbringing, Aaron describes how his eventual return to faith and spirituality became central to his recovery. Beyond survival, he speaks candidly about the internal shift that occurred during recovery: confronting his own flaws, developing humility, and building an honest relationship with himself and a God of his understanding. This conversation explores not only addiction and near-death experience, but personal transformation — the process of awakening, self-reflection, and rebuilding a life rooted in responsibility, faith, and family. You can find Aaron here: X: https://x.com/theaaronprager Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaaronprager You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. I hope that this episode helps you understand how addiction can unfold, the deeply personal nature of Aaron’s recovery journey and how this can be different for every person who is confronting addiction, and importantly, the fact that people do see the other side of even the most severe addictions like Aaron’s. Thank you for listening and. for being part of this community. ⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    1h 17m
  2. Ep. 41: Meta & Google Sued Over Addictive Social Media Design

    6D AGO

    Ep. 41: Meta & Google Sued Over Addictive Social Media Design

    In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner addresses the core question that will be evaluated by the jury in the Los Angeles-based case initiating trial proceedings against defendants Meta and Google : are the features of social media apps designed to get kids and teens hooked? The case involves an individual identified by the initials "K.G.M." who is now a young adult, alleging that she became addicted to social media as a child and this had detrimental effects on her mental health, worsening depression and leading to suicidality. You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. K.G.M.'s is the first of over 1,000 cases that have been filed against a variety of social media companies to go to trial.TikTok and Snap, Inc., the parent company for Snapchat, settled for undisclosed amounts in advance of the trial initiation. Dr. Glasner explains the neuroscience underlying obsessive and repetitive behaviors around social media, and how the design features of the most commonly used apps can shape these behaviors among children and teens, given their psychology and the stage of brain development they are in. . Rooted in scientific facts about child and teen psychology and behavior, Dr. Glasner provides a factual picture of the impact of "sticky" design features that make it hard to disengage from social media on child and teen screen behavior, the effects of excessive social media use on well-being, and the state of the science on addiction to social media.on, and why some people take longer than others to achieve long-term stability. If you or someone you love is using social media excessively this episode offers clear, evidence-based information about problematic use of social media and how today’s apps can make it difficult for kids and teens to put them down. Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    19 min
  3. Ep. 40: Natasha Lyonne on Addiction: Is Relapse Inevitable?

    FEB 6

    Ep. 40: Natasha Lyonne on Addiction: Is Relapse Inevitable?

    In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner responds to actress and filmmaker Natasha Lyonne’s recent public statement about having relapsed after more than 10 years in addiction recovery. Lyonne, who has a history of addiction to opioids, stimulants, and alcohol, took to social media to share reflections about the slip with her fans, which was met with an outpouring of support. You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. Lyonne’s reflection — “Recovery is a lifelong process. Anyone out there struggling, remember you’re not alone.” — speaks to how vulnerability to addictive behaviors can hide in the background after a long period of stable recovery, and the importance of remaining vigilant to avoid a relapse hitting when a person least expects it. Her insights also remind us of the importance of social support in recovery, and the fact that addiction recovery is a more common struggle than most people realize.Dr. Glasner addresses the questions that many are left contemplating: is relapse inevitable for those with addiction? Is recovery a lifelong battle? The information shared in this episode clears the air, explaining the science of addiction treatment, what is known about rates of long-term recovery, and how to move forward from a relapse. Dr. Glasner discusses the evidence surrounding addiction treatment, recovery and relapse risk, when one can be confident that they’re “out of the woods,” the number of treatment episodes most people need to recover from addiction, and why some people take longer than others to achieve long-term stability. If you or someone you love is in addiction recovery, this episode offers clear, evidence-based information about relapse prevention, risk factors for a return to substance use, and how to get to the other side of a relapse. Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    18 min
  4. Mental Health Care Is Failing Millions—Here’s What Must Change

    JAN 30

    Mental Health Care Is Failing Millions—Here’s What Must Change

    Addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner sits down with Bill Smith, Founder and CEO of Inseparable, to examine the most urgent gaps in today’s mental health care system.Bill Smith leads Inseparable, a national nonprofit advancing bipartisan mental health policy reforms at both the state and federal levels to make high-quality mental health care accessible to all. Since founding Inseparable in 2020, Bill has helped drive significant policy wins aimed at expanding access, improving outcomes, and reducing preventable loss of life.You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. Dr. Glasner and Bill discuss the most concerning mental health trends today—including the youth mental health crisis, rising suicide rates, addiction, and the challenges families face when navigating behavioral health care. In a candid and deeply personal conversation, Bill also shares how the loss of his brother, Jack, after a long battle with mental illness, shaped his mission to create meaningful, nationwide change. I hope that this episode helps you understand the core barriers to mental health and addiction care access and how public policy reform can drive solutions that will improve and save lives. Thank you for listening and. for being part of this community. ⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    37 min
  5. Ep. 38: Inside the Nick Reiner Defense Strategy: Insanity Plea, Mental Health, and When a “Win” Is a Loss

    JAN 25

    Ep. 38: Inside the Nick Reiner Defense Strategy: Insanity Plea, Mental Health, and When a “Win” Is a Loss

    In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner brings discusses Alan Jackson’s withdrawal from the Nick Reiner case and the future of his defense strategy with private attorney and former public defender Nathan Lockwood, whose work focuses on serious violent offenses including homicides. Upon his withdrawal from the case, Alan Jackson made a public statement indicating that “pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.” Dr. Glasner’s discussion with Mr. Lockwood examines the possibility of an insanity defense strategy for Reiner, the legal basis and potential case for this defense, and what it would mean for Nick Reiner to be acquitted or found “not guilty by reason of insanity.”You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. Dr. Glasner and Mr. Lockwood discuss myths and common misconceptions about gaining freedom after an insanity-based acquittal, the nature and limitations of the mental health care system within the Department of Corrections, and the pressures faced by public defenders when representing high profile cases such as that of Nick Reiner. I hope that this episode helps you understand the complexities surrounding the insanity defense and the psychological mindset of individuals who perform violent acts in the context of severe mental illness and addiction. Thank you for listening and. for being part of this community. ⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    1h 1m
  6. The Insanity Defense | What Research Says About Addiction & Legal Insanity: The Nick Reiner Case

    JAN 16

    The Insanity Defense | What Research Says About Addiction & Legal Insanity: The Nick Reiner Case

    In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner brings forensic psychological research on characteristics of homicide offenders who are found not guilty by reason of insanity - side-by-side with the psychological profile of Nick Reiner, who has been charged with first degree murder in the tragic double homicide case of his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner. News headlines have been speculative around Nick's potential defense strategy and the possibility of an insanity based defense. Dr. Glasner explains how the profiles of those found not guilty by reason of insanity differ from those who are criminally responsible and deemed competent to stand trial, and how addiction and psychosis are considered in a not guilty by reason of insanity defense. You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. Dr. Glasner examines the profiles of offenders who commit parricide (or the killing of one or both of one’s parents) and are found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to recent forensic psychological studies. I hope that this episode helps you understand the complexities surrounding the insanity defense and the psychological mindset of individuals who perform violent acts in the context of severe mental illness and addiction. Thank you for listening and. for being part of this community. ⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    16 min
  7. Ep. 36: Ketamine and Mental Health

    JAN 8

    Ep. 36: Ketamine and Mental Health

    In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner addresses the question that Matthew Perry’s death by ketamine overdose left many contemplating: is ketamine a therapeutic medicine for mental health, or a lethal drug? Dr. Glasner explains the therapeutic uses of ketamine, as well as the risk factors for adverse effects of ketamine use, including addiction.You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. Dr. Glasner breaks down the scientific evidence for ketamine use in mental health, the risks of ketamine use among individuals like Matthew Perry with addiction history, and important safety guidelines and considerations when exploring ketamine as a treatment option for psychiatric conditions.If you or someone you love is using or thinking about using ketamine either for therapeutic or recreational purposes, this episode offers clear, evidence-based information about ketamine therapy and ketamine addiction. Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    20 min
  8. Ep. 35: Matthew Perry's Legacy: Beyond Tragedy

    JAN 1

    Ep. 35: Matthew Perry's Legacy: Beyond Tragedy

    In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner responds to Matthew Perry's candid and moving interview with Diane Sawyer a year prior to his untimely death by ketamine overdose, along with recent news concerning the sentencing of Salvador Plasencia, one of two physicians charged in Perry's overdose death case with illegal distribution of ketamine.You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here. Matthew’s reflection — “Secrets kill you. Secrets kill people like me.” — speaks to how addiction thrives in secrecy and shame. It shows how hiding substance use, and the stigma surrounding it, can deeply isolate people, even those who appear confident, successful, and deeply loved in the public eye.Dr. Glasner breaks down why quality addiction care can be challenging to access, how evidence-based addiction care heals and retrains the brain, the risks of ketamine use among individuals like Matthew Perry with addiction history, and how genetics, family and social support impact addiction vulnerability and recovery.If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, this episode offers clear, evidence-based insights inspired by Matthew Perry's insightful self-reflection, analysis by Dr. Glasner of how a person who appears stable in recovery can experience setbacks as he did, and practical strategies to help. Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Dr. Glasner is a clinical psychologist, addiction scientist, award-winning author, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA in the David Geffen School of Medicine. The Dr. Suzette Glasner podcast discusses the latest advances in addiction science, trends in alcohol and other substance use, misuse, and addiction across the lifespan, and how to use the science underlying addictive behaviors and the effects of substance use on the brain to shape our health behaviors and every day lives. drglasner.substack.com

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