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Artwork for Cracking Addiction

Cracking Addiction

Meducate
Addiction
Mental Health
Cocaine
Benzodiazepines
Alcohol
Addiction Recovery
Recovery
Smoking
Dopamine
Alcohol Withdrawal
Tobacco
Addiction Medicine
Mediterranean Diet
Alcohol Use Disorder
Nicotine
Cannabis
Cancer
Anxiety
Opioids
Substance Use Disorder

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes243Founded5 years ago
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MedicineHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Cracking Addiction

Latest Episodes

Think trauma only happens from big events like car crashes? Wrong. Dr. Ferghal here with a myth-bust that'll change how you see childhood forever.

The biggest trauma isn't what you think — it's relational trauma. When your caregivers can't regulate ... more

Most people are told that benzodiazepine withdrawal should improve in a straight line. That myth keeps many people trapped in shame, fear, and confusion when symptoms come back in waves.

But brain recovery does not always move in a smooth upward pa... more

YouTube

Dopamine pathways and addiction recovery:

Why smoking during addiction treatment reduces your chances of lasting sobriety by 30%

🚬 THE MYTH WE'VE ALL BELIEVED

For decades, addiction treatment centres have operated on the "quit the hard drugs fir... more

YouTube

Recovery paths aren't one-size-fits-all.

Dr. Fergal Armstrong explains why neuroplasticity supports multiple evidence-based approaches to addiction recovery.

**THE MYTH: One "Right" Way to Recover

**Society pressures people to define recovery as ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Cindy Payne
Licensed professional counselor; owner of Reclaiming Me podcast
Private practice in Texas; Reclaiming Me podcast
Episode: Attachment Issues Cause Addiction - 4 Types That Lead to Drugs
Mr. Tarek Amiri
An expert in opioid agonist therapy and advocate for suboxone
Episode: Why Buprenorphine Is Safer Than Full Opioid Agonists
Dr. Raphael Cuomo
A professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, focusing on cancer and addiction.
University of California, San Diego
Episode: From Dopamine to Disease: Understanding the Addiction-Cancer Connection
Dr. Samantha Harte
Best-selling author, keynote speaker, podcast host, life coach, and sober mom of two
Episode: What Nobody Tells You About Turning Pain into Power
Zappy Zapolin
Founder of the Mind Army and psychedelic concierge to the stars
Episode: Ibogaine: A New Hope for Addiction Recovery and Mental Health
Andy Smith
Practitioner and trainer in appreciative inquiry
coachingleaders.co.uk
Episode: Beating Burnout: Revolutionary Techniques You’ve Never Heard Of!
Dr. Richard Bradlow
Guest discussing melatonin and sleep hygiene
Episode: The Attractiveness of Sobriety
Tomas Conrad
Recovery advocate and co-host of Real Recovery Talk, with over 13 years of experience in addiction treatment.
Rock Recovery Center
Episode: Punching Fear in the Face and Embracing Recovery
Jesse Ball
A successful individual who has overcome addiction and shares insights from his recovery journey.
Episode: Keys to Early Recovery: Jesse Ball on Honesty and Support

Host

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong
Host of addiction medicine-focused discussions, with expertise in clinical treatment and research.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings
  • Terrific podcast

    Some extraordinarily insightful research into areas of Addiction which are very specific and very helpful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Suminator
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Best Medicine

    Dr Armstrong has an exceptional knowledge and practical advice and information for patients and practitioners.

    Insightful and concise and well worth your time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ric O’Reed
    Australiaa year ago
  • Practical and Helpful Experts

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ourlittlecaravan
    Australia2 years ago
  • Top notch medical education

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr. Hjerpe
    United States3 years ago
  • Informative and interesting

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackKlein
    Australia4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show for clear, evidence-based addiction science and practical clinical pearls.
Audiences value the host's expertise and approachable delivery.
Many appreciate the accessible explanations of complex topics like neurobiology and medication-assisted treatment.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Attachment Issues Cause Addiction - 4 Types That Lead to Drugs
Q: How would you conceptualize the difference between PTSD and relational trauma in everyday terms?
PTSD is a single traumatic event, while relational trauma involves ongoing harm from caregivers or significant attachment figures, making safety and trust harder to achieve; recognizing this distinction helps validate experiences and guide treatment methods like trauma-focused therapy and attachment-focused interventions.
Attachment Issues Cause Addiction - 4 Types That Lead to Drugs
Q: How do childhood experiences influence future behavior and potential addiction?
Childhood attachment shapes how we regulate emotions and seek safety; when caregivers are inconsistent or hurtful, people develop coping like fawning or dissociation, which can manifest as difficulty self-soothing and higher risk of addiction, though repair is possible through somatic work and supportive relationships.
Could You Be Missing This Critical Vitamin?
Q: Why do we give high-dose parenteral thiamine when treating Wernicke's?
We give it to quickly replenish thiamine stores, which may not effectively absorb through the gut due to severe deficiency.
Could You Be Missing This Critical Vitamin?
Q: What do we know about thiamine and its function?
Thiamine is essential for cellular energy production and is a cofactor for several major enzymatic reactions.
From Blackouts to Breakthroughs: An Insider's Story of Recovery and Hope
Q: What message of hope would you give to those struggling with substance use disorder?
Recovery is possible, and options may be more diverse than known, emphasizing the importance of assembling a toolkit of supports tailored to the individual.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Cracking Addiction

What is Cracking Addiction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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How many listeners does Cracking Addiction get?

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How many subscribers and views does Cracking Addiction have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Cracking Addiction has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Cracking Addiction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cracking Addiction:

1. The Addicted Mind Podcast
2. Huberman Lab
3. PsychRounds: The Psychiatry Podcast
4. The Carlat Psychiatry Podcast
5. Health Report

How many episodes of Cracking Addiction are there?

Cracking Addiction launched 5 years ago and published 243 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cracking Addiction?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Cracking Addiction?

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What guests have appeared on Cracking Addiction?

Recent guests on Cracking Addiction include:

1. Cindy Payne
2. Mr. Tarek Amiri
3. Dr. Raphael Cuomo
4. Dr. Samantha Harte
5. Zappy Zapolin
6. Andy Smith
7. Dr. Richard Bradlow
8. Tomas Conrad

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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