In this deeply moving episode of the Positive Sobriety Podcast, Nate Larkin and David Hampton welcome Dr. Lipi Roy, an internal medicine and addiction medicine physician and national voice for compassionate, evidence-based addiction care.
The episode opens with a heartfelt remembrance of Nancy Priya, whose quiet faithfulness and grace shaped the early recovery journeys of many. That spirit of compassion carries into a wide-ranging conversation about addiction, trauma, mental health, and spirituality.
Dr. Roy explains why addiction affects people across all backgrounds and why it so often co-occurs with mental health conditions. She challenges stigma by reframing addiction as a chronic disease rather than a moral failure, and she highlights the importance of harm reduction, individualized treatment, and evidence-based care.
A central focus of the discussion is spirituality—how faith and spiritual practices can support recovery by fostering meaning, connection, and hope, but can also hinder healing when framed through shame or rigid dogma. This episode offers a hopeful, humane vision of recovery grounded in science, compassion, and dignity.
Key Topics Covered:
• Addiction as a chronic disease, not a moral failing
• Trauma and mental health in addiction
• Dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders
• Harm reduction and individualized care
• The role of spirituality and faith in recovery
• Breaking stigma and shame
• Evidence-based treatment and emerging research
• Why connection is central to healing
Notable Quotes:
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety — it’s connection.” — Dr. Lipi Roy
“Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, not a moral failure.” — Dr. Lipi Roy
“Recovery is not linear. It’s a process that ebbs and flows.” — Dr. Lipi Roy
“I only get to keep my freedom by giving it away.” — Nate Larkin
About the Guest:
Dr. Lipi Roy is an internal medicine and addiction medicine physician, speaker, and writer. She has worked in hospitals, homeless health programs, jails, and academic medicine, and is a leading advocate for trauma-informed, compassionate addiction care.
Resources:
YouTube: Health, Humor & Harmony (search “Dr. Lipi Roy”)
Instagram / TikTok: @LipiRoyMD
Website: https://SitaMedLLC.com
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