Has Tiger Woods finally hit rock bottom — or is that the wrong question entirely?

In this episode, I examine Tiger Woods’ latest DUI arrest and crash through the lens of addiction science. Despite access to world-class care, financial resources, and global support, Woods continues to struggle with a pattern of substance use and high-risk behavior — raising important questions about how addiction actually works.

As a clinical psychologist and addiction scientist, Dr. Suzette Glasner breaks down why addiction persists even in the presence of success, and why insight — not access — is often the missing piece in recovery.

You can watch the full episode here:

This episode explores:

* Why addiction is a brain disease that impairs judgment and decision-making

* The role of prescription opioids like hydrocodone in driving impairment

* How polysubstance use significantly increases risk

* How chronic pain, trauma, and loss contribute to relapse

* Why practical solutions (like hiring a driver) don’t address the core issue

* What meaningful, sustained recovery actually requires

For those who are struggling with addiction — or who love someone who is — this episode offers a clearer understanding of why change can be so difficult, and what actually helps move the needle toward recovery.

Tiger Woods’ story is not just about a public figure — it’s a powerful example of addiction as a human issue that can take hold of a life.

📩 Questions or topic ideas? Reach out at: askdrglasner@gmail.com

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Sugary drinks are back in the spotlight, with renewed national attention on the health risks of added sugar. But while much of the conversation—highlighted recently by RFK Jr.—has focused on obesity, diabetes, and metabolic health, there may be an important piece we’re overlooking.

In this episode, Dr. Glasner explores the growing evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages to mental health outcomes, including mood, anxiety, sleep, and patterns of addictive behaviors. What happens in the brain when we consume high amounts of liquid sugar? Why can these drinks be so hard to cut back on? And how much is too much?

From Starbucks lattes and Dunkin’ iced coffees to soda, boba tea, and energy drinks, these beverages are a daily habit for many. This episode takes a closer look at how they may be affecting not just our bodies—but our minds.

You can watch the full episode here:

You’ll learn:

* What current research says about sugary drinks and mental health

* How blood sugar swings and reward pathways influence mood and cravings

* Why sugary drinks can promote addictive behaviors

* Practical ways to reduce intake without feeling deprived

If you’re thinking about your own habits—or your kids’—this episode offers a thoughtful, evidence-based perspective on a very common part of modern life.

📩 Questions or topic ideas? Reach out at: askdrglasner@gmail.com

If you found this episode helpful, consider subscribing and sharing it with others who might benefit.

We tend to think of digital experiences as tools, entertainment, or care.

But AI companions are starting to blur those boundaries.

Some users aren’t just interacting with them—they’re forming attachments. In some cases, romantic relationships. Connections that feel responsive, personalized, and emotionally meaningful.

What’s driving that shift?

In this episode, addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines how AI companions create a form of interaction that differs from traditional digital experiences. Through continuous responsiveness, adaptive feedback, and simulated emotional attunement, these systems can begin to function less like products and more like relational partners.

That distinction matters.

Because the same mechanisms that support a sense of connection may also reinforce repeated engagement—making these interactions feel increasingly difficult to step away from.

Drawing on behavioral science, Dr. Glasner explores how these dynamics emerge, why they don’t map cleanly onto existing models of digital addiction, and what it means when a technology begins to occupy a role that looks—and feels—like a relationship.

Watch the full episode here:

The episode also examines how romantic and emotional engagement with AI companions challenges existing frameworks for understanding digital behavior, raising new questions about attachment, reinforcement, and the role of technology in meeting psychological needs.

This is an early look at a shift that may become increasingly relevant as these systems continue to evolve.

📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

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