The YouTube series “Respond with Compassion” by Dr. Christian Conte is part of an initiative by the Addiction Policy Forum to address misconceptions and promote understanding regarding addiction and substance use disorders (SUDs). In this series, Dr. Conte, who has over 20,000 hours of clinical counseling experience, discusses various aspects of addiction, aiming to educate viewers on the complexities of this condition and the importance of compassion in response. He explores topics such as the judgment often faced by those with SUDs and the parallels between physical needs like hunger and the physiological drives of addiction.

In one of the episodes, specifically “Hunger and Addiction,” Dr. Conte uses the example of hunger to illustrate how addiction is similarly a physiological condition, challenging the notion that overcoming addiction is simply a matter of willpower. Throughout the series, he emphasizes the need for humility and understanding in addressing the opioid crisis and other addiction issues, supported by modern neuroscience and insights into the brain’s response to addiction. The series serves as a resource for individuals seeking to support those struggling with addiction by providing informed perspectives and practical advice on leading with compassion.

Find more from the Addiction Policy Forum (USA, 2018- )