UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Social Science Research Institute’s Evidence-to-Impact Podcast returns with its 24th episode, “The Opioid Crisis: Destigmatization and Recovery.”
This episode features a conversation between moderator Michael Donovan , associate director of the Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, and two guests: Denise Holden, founder and chief executive officer of the RASE Project, a recovery community organization that has grown beyond Pennsylvania, and Sarah Kawasaki, chief of addiction medicine and associate professor of psychiatry and internal medicine at Penn State Health. Their discussion explores the opioid crisis, addressing stigma around substance use and highlighting pathways toward long-term recovery.
Unpacking stigma and recovery
Holden shared insights from her work leading the RASE Project, which provides advocacy, training, education and recovery support services for individuals and families grappling with substance use disorder. She emphasized that stigma continues to be a deeply powerful barrier, often discouraging individuals from reaching out for the support or treatment they need. Holden also pointed out that this stigma doesn’t just silence individuals — it reinforces harmful misconceptions that create environments where these struggles are hidden rather than addressed.
“When people feel judged or silenced, they are less likely to step forward and engage in recovery programs,” Holden explained. She stressed that open conversations and supportive, peer-driven networks are critical for breaking down those barriers. She also noted that building a strong community can play a vital role in challenging stigma, encouraging people to seek the help they deserve.
Kawasaki expanded on that point, noting that substance use disorder is a chronic medical condition, yet too often treated as a moral failing.
“Recovery is possible, but we need to reframe the narrative,” she said. “If we can view opioid use disorder through the lens of evidence-based treatment and compassion, we can create an environment where recovery is both accessible and sustainable.”
This deep discussion is essential to expand on community education, reduce stigma and implement long term support for individuals that need it, the guests explained.
Building bridges in treatment
Both guests emphasized the importance of partnerships between health care providers, recovery organizations and communities in confronting the opioid epidemic. Kawasaki highlighted Penn State Health’s commitment to expanding access to evidence-based treatment, while Holden spoke about the role of community-led recovery initiatives that provide lived-experience support.
The conversation underscored that recovery is not a linear process, they said, but one that benefits from collaboration at every level — clinical treatment, policy and grassroots advocacy.
Access the full episode
Listen to the full Evidence-to-Impact episode on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Blubrry. You can also access it here.
More information about Penn State Health can be accessed here.
The full transcript of Episode 24 can be found here.
The Evidence-to-Impact Podcast connects Penn State researchers, government partners and community leaders to discuss policy-relevant issues such as poverty, criminal justice, substance use and health care. By translating research insights into real-world understanding, the series aims to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. Through accessible conversations within the podcast, effective communication is tailored to diverse audiences, which empowers the public with accurate information that can influence policies, improve evidence-based approaches and support individuals affected by these challenges.
The Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative (EIC) is a research center and information hub for the science of using social science. The aim of the EIC is to improve the data, methods and processes related to research, the dissemination of evidence, and to understand the impacts of the use of research evidence on societal well-being. A center in the Social Science Research Institute supported by the College of Health and Human Development, the EIC leverages expertise in administrative data, program evaluation and researcher-policymaker relationships for social investment optimization.