Dr. Adrian Bravo: Bridging Cultures in Addiction Research
There are things that just aren't going to be as feasible for some individuals and on top of that, socioeconomic status, all these other layers that make it quite difficult to implement things that, scientifically, yes, they work.
What if our understanding of addiction was limited by cultural blind spots? Dr. Adrian Bravo, an assistant professor at the College of William & Mary, tackles this very issue. In this episode of 'The Addiction Psychologist', Dr. Bravo dives into how cultural influences shape substance use and addiction norms. He sheds light on the often-overlooked perspectives from non-Western societies, aiming to broaden the scope of addiction research beyond privileged populations in America and Western Europe. Dr.
Bravo's work connects researchers worldwide, fostering a collaborative approach to studying addiction across different cultures. He discusses the hurdles of conducting multinational research, such as socioeconomic barriers and varying definitions of harmful substance use. By understanding these cultural nuances, Dr. Bravo believes we can develop more effective addiction management strategies that are inclusive and globally relevant. This episode offers an eye-opening look at how breaking cultural barriers can lead to transformative changes in addiction psychology.