Dr. Sarah Wakeman

And the interesting thing is, you know, trauma is not so much about the experience. It's about... often being left alone to grapple with that experience by yourself. And so what's traumatizing to one person may not be traumatizing to someone else. And take the pandemic, for example. I've talked to people who like being stuck at home and alone and bored was deeply traumatic. Other people

And the interesting thing is, you know, trauma is not so much about the experience. It's about... often being left alone to grapple with that experience by yourself. And so what's traumatizing to one person may not be traumatizing to someone else. And take the pandemic, for example. I've talked to people who like being stuck at home and alone and bored was deeply traumatic. Other people

were fine. They like were in their living room, you know, doing whatever and found ways to connect and to live their lives and did okay. It was the same experience, but it was experienced very differently by different people. So it's less about the actual experience and more about the impact on that human, how they're left feeling. And often it's about feeling disconnected.

were fine. They like were in their living room, you know, doing whatever and found ways to connect and to live their lives and did okay. It was the same experience, but it was experienced very differently by different people. So it's less about the actual experience and more about the impact on that human, how they're left feeling. And often it's about feeling disconnected.

We often talk about the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It's actually connection. It's how do you build that connection with other people again?

We often talk about the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It's actually connection. It's how do you build that connection with other people again?

Totally. I mean, it makes me think of a patient I saw this week who really wants to stop drinking and is able to go for a few weeks, but his life is pretty empty. Like, he's not working right now. He doesn't have a lot of relationships. So when he's not drinking, he's sitting at home, like, watching TV by himself.

Totally. I mean, it makes me think of a patient I saw this week who really wants to stop drinking and is able to go for a few weeks, but his life is pretty empty. Like, he's not working right now. He doesn't have a lot of relationships. So when he's not drinking, he's sitting at home, like, watching TV by himself.

And it doesn't take very long for him to think that, like, you know, the thing that's going to give me relief is having a drink. And so... Then the question becomes less about the molecule of alcohol and more about like, how do we fill up people's lives? How do we form connection and build community and build a sense of identity and purpose and engagement outside of the relief of substance use?

And it doesn't take very long for him to think that, like, you know, the thing that's going to give me relief is having a drink. And so... Then the question becomes less about the molecule of alcohol and more about like, how do we fill up people's lives? How do we form connection and build community and build a sense of identity and purpose and engagement outside of the relief of substance use?

Yeah. I think like many people, I had kind of a personal threat. I had a family member who was impacted by addiction who actually died when I was in medical school.

Yeah. I think like many people, I had kind of a personal threat. I had a family member who was impacted by addiction who actually died when I was in medical school.

And so that was sort of a pivotal moment, I think, that coming at the same time that I was learning all of this science, I was realizing like, wow, I wish I'd known this when I was younger and dealing with family members and friends who were affected by this and that we've gotten it so wrong. And most people don't have the kind of tools and knowledge to do things differently. And so...

And so that was sort of a pivotal moment, I think, that coming at the same time that I was learning all of this science, I was realizing like, wow, I wish I'd known this when I was younger and dealing with family members and friends who were affected by this and that we've gotten it so wrong. And most people don't have the kind of tools and knowledge to do things differently. And so...

You know, you sort of, there's that saying, when you know better, you do better. And I think I kind of wanted to put out into the world what I wished was there for other people.

You know, you sort of, there's that saying, when you know better, you do better. And I think I kind of wanted to put out into the world what I wished was there for other people.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Probably 24 or so.

Probably 24 or so.