May 1, 2022
Dr. Judith Grisel
Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
Program Abstract:
Beginning by abusing the use of alcohol at age 13 in middle school, Judy Grisel became a daily drug user through the following decade, eventually using every addictive drug known to the street, which is where she lived much of the time. Toward the end of that phase of her life as an addict, a friend uttered a phrase which has stayed with Dr. Grisel : “….there is never enough cocaine”. Following an unexpected invitation for dinner from her father to celebrate her 23 rd birthday, she underwent treatment at a facility in Minnesota. Dr. Grisel has written she made two fateful decisions while there: “….to give abstinence a try” and “….with some arrogance” work to find a cure for addiction.
Today, 30 years drug free (and counting), Dr. Grisel, a renowned neuroscientist and teacher respected by peers, will speak of some of her experiences when an addict as well as what she and other neuroscientists have learned about the brain, causes of addiction and how the brain “….responds to pharmacological treats”. Dr. Grisel posits the best way to help an addict to wellness will not be a pill, but “….human love and connection.”
Speaker Bio:
A tenured Professor of Psychology at Bucknell University, Dr. Grisel is a behavioral neuroscientist with expertise in pharmacology and genetics. She earned a BA degree from Florida Atlantic University and an MA and PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience/Psychology from the University of Colorado. An award by The Howard Hughes Medical Institute for distinguished mentoring of student scientists is one of many awards recognizing her personal and professional achievements. Dr. Grisel has written a book of her experiences; published by Doubleday in 2019, it is titled NEVER ENOUGH: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction.
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