NPR AUDIO – IT’S ALWAYS COMPLICATED –

Oct. 24, 2023 – Whether it be opioids, alcohol or other drugs, millions nationwide have succumbed to addiction and need help.

Treatment can be challenging, though, as people entering recovery often need comprehensive and multifaceted care. Destinee Lucier, assistant clinical director at Lake Avenue Recovery and Addiction Treatment Center in Worcester, joined All Things Considered host Arun Rath to break down what evidence-based treatment is available. What follows is a lightly edited transcript.

Arun Rath: Is addiction treatment always complicated?

Destinee Lucier: Yes. So with addiction treatment, there is no “one size fits all” model, specifically because addiction treatment is typically coupled with mental health symptoms and, frequently, trauma. For addiction treatment, we look at the individual as a whole and not just the substance of choice.

LISTEN@WGBH