World-renowned physician and addiction expert Gabor Maté introduces a more empathetic approach to treating substance abuse, shifting the focus away from the addiction and toward the trauma suffered by the addict.

In most countries, drug addiction comes with many stigmas and is associated with crime.

Instead of creating safer environments for drug addicts, governments put money and time into further marginalizing them.

Gabor Maté is a Hungarian-Canadian physician and author who has spent much of his career working in harm reduction clinics in Vancouver.

Over the years, Maté has come into close contact with many patients who suffered from deeply traumatic experiences that resulted in substance abuse and mental and physical health issues.

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts is Maté's account of some of their stories and a call for treating addiction with empathy rather than scorn.