Uploaded May 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Like many families, Dr. Nora Volkow’s had kept it a secret that her grandfather had a substance use disorder and eventually committed suicide. Today, as the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health, she speaks out regularly about how important it is to share these stories to help other families impacted by addiction.
Dr. Volkow sits down with Heart of the Matter host Elizabeth Vargas to discuss the growing complexities of fentanyl-laced drugs; the state of mental health in our nation; what the pandemic can teach us about allocating resources to communities in need; and her deeply personal story.
About Partnership to End Addiction:
Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit providing personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction. With decades of experience in direct services, communications and coalition-building, we mobilize families, policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale. For more information, visit drugfree.org.
Connect with us: drugfree.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
Twitter: twitter.com/ToEndAddiction
Instagram: instagram.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/PartnershipToEndAddiction
#ElizabethVargas #HeartOfTheMatter
Nora Volkow on the State of Adolescent Mental Health | HOTM
Like many families, Dr. Nora Volkow’s had kept it a secret that her grandfather had a substance use disorder and eventually committed suicide. Today, as the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health, she speaks out regularly about how important it is to share these stories to help other families impacted by addiction.
Dr. Volkow sits down with Heart of the Matter host Elizabeth Vargas to discuss the growing complexities of fentanyl-laced drugs; the state of mental health in our nation; what the pandemic can teach us about allocating resources to communities in need; and her deeply personal story.
About Partnership to End Addiction:
Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit providing personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction. With decades of experience in direct services, communications and coalition-building, we mobilize families, policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale. For more information, visit drugfree.org.
Connect with us: drugfree.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
Twitter: twitter.com/ToEndAddiction
Instagram: instagram.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/PartnershipToEndAddiction
#ElizabethVargas #HeartOfTheMatter
Nora Volkow on the State of Adolescent Mental Health | HOTM







![Singer-songwriter Mary Lambert: On overcoming childhood trauma and her struggle with alcohol
“Same Love” singer-songwriter Mary Lambert opens up to Elizabeth Vargas about how experiencing childhood trauma, including sexual assault, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and a difficult relationship with the church as a queer woman, led to her intentionally misusing alcohol for many years. Now two years without alcohol, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter explains how writing music and poetry acts as a healthy outlet for her, with a mission to share songs that are, as she describes, “productive and helpful.”
Related reading: After you listen, explore these resources from Partnership to End Addiction to learn more about the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
Substance Use + Mental Health Guide:
https://drugfree.org/substance-use-and-mental-health-guide/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season4
LGBTQ+, Family & Substance Use:
https://drugfree.org/lgbtq-family-and-substance-use/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season4
How to Connect with Your Teenager to Prevent Drug Use:
https://drugfree.org/article/how-to-connect-with-your-teenager/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season4
Content warning: This episode contains mentions of death, as well as in-depth discussions of substance use, suicide and sexual abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at (800) 662-4357. These programs provide free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.
Subscribe to Partnership to End Addiction: https://bit.ly/SubcribeToEndAddiction
About Partnership to End Addiction:
Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit providing personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction. With decades of experience in direct services, communications and coalition-building, we mobilize families, policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale. For more information, visit drugfree.org.
Connect with us: https://drugfree.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToEndAddiction
Instagram: http://instagram.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/PartnershipToEndAddiction
#LetsEndAddiction
[Singer-songwriter Mary Lambert: On overcoming childhood trauma and her struggle with alcohol] | Partnership to End Addiction Singer-songwriter Mary Lambert: On overcoming childhood trauma and her struggle with alcohol](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bbA8uquCqlg/mqdefault.jpg)


