
Seeking answers about addiction or supporting someone on the path to recovery? Welcome to Cracking Addiction, the podcast that empowers you with knowledge and hope. Hosted by Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Ferghal Armstrong, we explore the science of addiction, effective treatments, and inspiring recovery stories. Whether you're facing addiction, helping a loved one, or a professional seeking i... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 236 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Health & FitnessMedicine | |||

Dr. Fergal Armstrong reframes relapse in addiction, explaining why it's not a personal failure but a common part of the recovery journey, comparable to chronic illnesses.
Understanding the neuroscience of addiction, particularly how cortisol respon... more
Withdrawal is one of the most feared parts of addiction recovery.
But neuroscience shows something important:
Withdrawal isn’t a failure of willpower — it’s the brain restoring balance after long-term changes to the dopamine reward system.
Underst... more
🚨 TOLERANCE ≠ ADDICTION 🚨Most people — even healthcare professionals — use these terms incorrectly.
And that confusion is hurting patients.
In this episode, we break down:
🧠 The real definition of addiction
💊 Why opioid tolerance doesn’t auto... more
Most people think methadone is the only real option for opioid addiction.
Wrong.
Buprenorphine — especially long-acting injectable depot — is flipping the entire system upside down.
No daily pharmacy visits.
No takeaway dose arguments.
Lower overdo... more
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Some extraordinarily insightful research into areas of Addiction which are very specific and very helpful.
Dr Armstrong has an exceptional knowledge and practical advice and information for patients and practitioners.
Insightful and concise and well worth your time.
This is just a “cracking” good resource for those who want to understand how and why and what to do regarding addiction, 12step recovery process and mental health and wellbeing issues in general.
For both those of us entangled, but also those of us who want to support loved ones.
I appreciate the experience and generous knowledge of these professionals who are also currently practicing in their field of expertise, dealing with issues of addiction and recovery. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this brilliant podcast! Entertaining, evidence-based, and jam-packed with practical clinical pearls!! I am listening and re-listening to episode after episode
This is an excellent introduction into the world of drugs and addiction, presented in an easy to understand format. While occasionally the pharmacology talk goes over my head, for the most part it’s easy to follow and understand what’s being discussed. My only critique is that the episodes are too short- an hour or two on a single topic would be much better than 10-15 minute snippets. Overall, great podcast!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #171 | |
Apple Podcasts | #187 |
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A scientifically focused show exploring addiction biology, treatment options, and recovery strategies through expert interviews and evidence-based discussion. Episodes cover differences between addiction, dependence, and tolerance; safer opioid therapies; brain mechanisms of craving; and practical implications for treatment, policy, and public health. Notable strengths include accessible explanations of neurobiology, actionable clinical pearls, and timely coverage of current debates in addiction medicine. The show likely appeals to clinicians, researchers, students, and anyone seeking a clear, compassionate understanding of addiction and recovery.
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Cracking Addiction launched 5 years ago and published 236 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Cracking Addiction include:
1. Mr. Tarek Amiri
2. Dr. Raphael Cuomo
3. Dr. Samantha Harte
4. Zappy Zapolin
5. Jesse Ball
6. Andy Smith
7. Dr. Richard Bradlow
8. Tomas Conrad
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