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Artwork for Cracking Addiction

Cracking Addiction

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes246Founded5 years ago
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MedicineHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Cracking Addiction

Latest Episodes

Why does meth withdrawal take 6 months when alcohol withdrawal takes days?It's all about dopamine depletion and neuroplasticity 🧠Dr. Ferghal breaks down:• The 3-phase withdrawal timeline• What happens to your reward pathways• Evidence-based treatmen... more

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30% of kids with excess weight that we help have trauma-based eating patterns.

That's not willpower failure — that's biology.

When children experience domestic violence, financial stress, or emotional chaos at home, their brains learn to cope wit... more

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MYTH: You need to hit 'rock bottom' to recover from addiction. But here's what addiction specialist Dr. Ferghal Armstrong's guest Tom reveals: his worst moment wasn't losing everything – it was waking up in a Brazilian favela after cocaine and alcoho... more

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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

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Recent Guests

Kami Moussavi
Nutritional scientist and founder of Step Together
Step Together
Episode: Childhood Obesity: Why 30% of Kids We Help Have Food Trauma Issues
Tom Jenkins
Author of The Drunk Gambler with Erectile Dysfunction
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Cindy Payne
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Episode: Attachment Issues Cause Addiction - 4 Types That Lead to Drugs
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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
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Episode: Beating Burnout: Revolutionary Techniques You’ve Never Heard Of!
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Recovery advocate and co-host of Real Recovery Talk, with over 13 years of experience in addiction treatment.
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Episode: Punching Fear in the Face and Embracing Recovery

Host

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong
Host of Cracking Addiction; Addiction Medicine Specialist

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 Kingdom5 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
    Australia5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

A high-quality resource for understanding addiction and recovery from a medical perspective.
Well-produced medical education with useful clinical pearls.
Clear explanations that help non-experts grasp complex neuroscience and treatment concepts.
Engaging hosts and evidence-based content that's easy to follow.
Very informative and practical for practitioners and caregivers.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Childhood Obesity: Why 30% of Kids We Help Have Food Trauma Issues
Q: What final message of hope would you offer to listeners who can't access your service?
Don't give up; look underneath the surface of the behavior to understand the root causes, and know that resources exist online and remotely to help guide you through the process.
Childhood Obesity: Why 30% of Kids We Help Have Food Trauma Issues
Q: Trauma or childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for emotional eating and obesity—what's your view?
Trauma is a meaningful risk factor in about 20-30% of the children we help, and the work emphasizes deep, underlying emotional needs, attachment, and cortisol regulation rather than only calories or exercise.
Childhood Obesity: Why 30% of Kids We Help Have Food Trauma Issues
Q: So, Kami, tell me what does Step Together do?
Very simply, we help parents who have children with excess weight overcome this for good, addressing root causes like ADHD, emotional eating, and family dynamics rather than just diet.
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.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cracking Addiction

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

A medically focused show that explains addiction with a clinician's lens, pairing evidence-based science with practical recovery guidance. Episodes cover neuroscience, treatment models, withdrawal timelines, and real-world strategies for patients, families, and professionals. The host's expertise as an addiction medicine specialist drives accessible explanations, case-based discussions, and actionable steps, making complex topics like craving, relapse, and detox approachable for both practitioners and curious listeners. The format often features in-depth, host-led explorations of specific substances and recovery concepts, with an emphasis on reducing stigma and promoting informed care.

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Which podcasts are similar to Cracking Addiction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cracking Addiction:

1. Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals
2. ADHD Experts Podcast
3. The Addicted Mind Podcast
4. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
5. Ladies, We Need To Talk

How many episodes of Cracking Addiction are there?

Cracking Addiction launched 5 years ago and published 246 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?

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What guests have appeared on Cracking Addiction?

Recent guests on Cracking Addiction include:

1. Kami Moussavi
2. Tom Jenkins
3. Cindy Payne
4. Mr. Tarek Amiri
5. Dr. Raphael Cuomo
6. Dr. Samantha Harte
7. Zappy Zapolin
8. Andy Smith

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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