Recovery of the Self...from Addiction, Adolescence, and Neuromedicalization
🧠 What if the way we talk about addiction is part of the problem?
Medical anthropologist and cognitive scientist Nicholas Thomas-Lewis (UCSF & UC Berkeley) argues that while the brain matters, it’s not the whole story. From “teen brain” headlines to “this is your brain on drugs” campaigns, we’ve built a culture that reduces adolescents to their neurochemistry—and in the process, stigmatizes and governs them as irrational or already lost.
Drawing on research across clinics, courts, and classrooms—as well as his own journey as the child of a teen parent navigating addiction—Nicholas invites us to rethink recovery not just as an individual act, but as a collective process rooted in community, relationship, and human dignity.
Come for the science, stay for the storytelling, and leave with a new way of understanding addiction, adolescence, and what it really means to recover. ✨
❓FAQs❓
What should I expect?
7:00-7:40 --> arrival & chats
7:40-8:20 --> lecture
8:20-9:00 --> q&a and more chatting
Who's invited?
Anyone with an interest in learning new things, meeting new people, and doing fun things on weeknights! Lots of people came solo to our last event, so don't be afraid to do the same—you’ll meet some awesome people!
Do I have to be 21+?
Yes! This event is hosted at a bar, so you must be 21 or older to attend and purchase drinks. Stay tuned for future events in spaces that don't have an age requirement!
What about parking?
There's no parking on-site, so we recommend street parking or using public transportation.
What about refunds?
You can refund your ticket up to 24 hours before the event starts. Since this is a limited-space event, we encourage you to update your RSVP if you can’t make it—this helps us keep spots open for others.
What about accessibility?
We want our lectures to be as accessible as possible. Depending on the venue, some audience members may need to stand, and our rule of thumb is that around 5% of attendees may not have seats. If you need specific seating accommodations, we recommend arriving early to secure a seat, or emailing us at [email protected] so we can make arrangements for you.
Accessibility can vary depending on the space, so please research our specific venue to learn more about things like wheelchair access and service animal policies. If you have any accessibility needs not covered here, feel free to reach out and we’ll do our best to support you.
I can't make it to this event. How do I stay updated for future events?
How do I become a speaker?
Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think your lecture is a good fit! 👉 Speaker form
💸 What about the ticket structure?
Every ticket sold goes directly back into the business. In some cases, ticket sales help cover venue costs, but Madrone Art Bar has generously allowed us to host this event for free! Purchasing tickets is NOT required, but we do ask that you email us to reserve your spot. If you're planning to attend, please let us know at [email protected].
Thanks for supporting our growing mission!
*For any other questions or special accommodations, please email [email protected].