Cracking Addiction

Cracking Addiction

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 insights, this podcast is for you. Join us weekly for expert discussions on substance abuse, behavioral addictions, and their impact on lives. Subscribe now to become part of our healing community

Episodes

July 9, 2025 5 mins

Is sugar addiction as powerful as cocaine?Is sugar truly a food addiction? This video explores the neuroscience behind sugar's allure, touching on the brain reward pathway and how sugar hijacks brain. It also considers what this means for our mental health and overall well-being.

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong reveals how to break sugar addiction and beat sugar addiction with science-backed insights. Struggling with my sugar addiction or...

Mark as Played

Solstice-Induced Mood Disorders and Relapse Prevention

Does the summer solstice mental health shift hit your addiction relapse prevention? In Cracking Addiction: Solstice-Induced Mood Disorders and Relapse Prevention,

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong unveils how seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and solstice and mood changes impact seasonal mood affective disorder in recovery.

Curious about seasonal affective disorder with drug addiction? This...

Mark as Played

From Dopamine to Disease: Understanding the Addiction-Cancer Connection.

What’s the hidden link between addiction and cancer? In this Cracking Addiction episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and UC San Diego’s Dr Raphael E. Cuomo reveal how lifestyle and cancer risk intertwine.

Discover how cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle choices can transform your health and lower risks, including skin cancer and lifestyle choices like sun exposur...

Mark as Played

The Truth About Pill Testing: Myths, Facts, and Public Health Impact.Ready to uncover the truth behind pill testing news?

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives into pill testing Australia, revealing what is pill testing and its impact on public health.

Forget myths—pill testing at festivals uses drug testing techniques like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify dangerous substances in party drugs, with up to half containing un...

Mark as Played

Ever felt gut feeling vs anxiety and wondered how can you listen to your gut feeling when you have anxiety and OCD? In Cracking Addiction: Anxiety & The Gut, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong unravels the gut brain connection behind anxiety gut feeling. Discover how the gut brain axis and enteric nervous system—your “second brain”—link mental health to digestion. Struggling with relationship anxiety or true gut feeling? This video reveals ...

Mark as Played

A Step-By-Step Emergency Plan for Coping With Panic and Anxiety.Are you battling sudden anxiety attacks or panic attacks and need how to stop anxiety attacks right now?

In this Cracking Addiction episode, Dr Ferghal Armstrong delivers your emergency anxiety toolkit—a step-by-step plan for anxiety and panic attack help! Whether you’re seeking how to stop panic and anxiety attacks for good, tackling anxiety at work, or fighting how t...

Mark as Played

Do SSRIs Really Work? Understanding Depression Treatment and the Serotonin Debate.Are you wondering how SSRIs work for depression treatment or if they’re right for your mental health? Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong on Cracking Addiction for a myth-busting dive into selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the cornerstone antidepressants for mood disorders like severe depression, mild depression, and moderate depression. This episode un...

Mark as Played

Can You Stop Antidepressants Safely? Tapering, Withdrawal & Advice from Dr. Ferghal ArmstrongAre you—or someone you care about—among the millions taking SSRI antidepressants for anxiety or depression? You're not alone. In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction,

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives deep into why Australia has one of the highest rates of antidepressant use in the world, and what that means for long-term health...

Mark as Played
May 14, 2025 9 mins

Why Alcohol Makes Anxiety Worse

Unravel the Truth! In this Cracking Addiction episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives into the complex link between anxiety and alcohol.

Ever wondered how are anxiety disorders and alcohol use related? Discover why drinking to ease social anxiety or anxiety and drinking can spiral into alcohol and anxiety disorder, leaving you with hangxiety—that dreaded anxiety after drinking. Only 20% of people with an...

Mark as Played

Tackling Dual Diagnosis: Treating Alcohol Dependence and Depression Together.Struggling with Alcohol and Depression? Unlock Dual Diagnosis Solutions! In this Cracking Addiction episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong explores cross addiction dual diagnosis, revealing why alcohol patients also suffer from dual diagnosis.

Learn what is dual diagnosis and how dual diagnosis and comorbidity—like alcohol and depression—create a vicious cycle. Di...

Mark as Played

How Australia's Free Naloxone Program Saves 3 Lives EVERY DAY!Australia’s Naloxone Program: Saving Lives, Closing Gaps, and Fighting Opioid Overdose Deaths Addiction Specialist

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives into the life-saving power of naloxone (Narcan), reversing drug overdoses from fentanyl and painkillers, saving 3 lives daily.

Learn how it works as a “blocker” to restore breathing in minutes, plus life-saving techniques from...

Mark as Played

What Really Happens To Your Body On Ecstasy?Curious about the real truth behind Ecstasy (MDMA)? Think it’s a “safe party drug”? Think again! In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives deep into everything you need to know about ecstasy—from its detailed pharmacology, shocking side effects, and hidden dangers to its emerging use in PTSD treatment research.

Dr. Armstrong breaks down the science behi...

Mark as Played

Have you ever wondered about the difference between alcohol withdrawal and drug withdrawal? In this episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong breaks down alcohol withdrawal vs drug withdrawal, shedding light on the unique signs and timelines of each.

Explore the world of intoxication and withdrawal—from pinpoint pupils in opioid intoxication to cerebellar signs in alcohol intoxication. Learn to recognize the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, inc...

Mark as Played

Ever wondered how a urine drug test really works—or how some people try to beat the system? This is the ultimate guide you've been searching for! In this compelling video, I dive deep into the fascinating world of urine drug testing, breaking down the science, procedures, and myths behind it all.From the urine drug test collection procedure to the detection windows for substances like cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and alcohol met...

Mark as Played

Curious about what cocaine withdrawal feels like? In this video, We break down everything you need to know about tackling the tough but manageable cocaine withdrawal journey. Join Dr Ferghal Armstrong for an engaging and insightful discussion as I explore the phases of cocaine withdrawal, their psychological effects, and practical tips to navigate each stage with confidence.We’ll cover the initial crash phase, the intense withdrawa...

Mark as Played

Cognitive Decline Countdown: How Cocaine Speeds It Up.Dr. Ferghal Armstrong sheds light on the profound cognitive decline associated with long-term cocaine use, unraveling the mystery behind cocaine’s neuroanatomy mechanisms and their impact on everyday life. Discover how chronic cocaine use, a form of drug abuse, leads to cognitive impairments such as attention deficits, impaired executive functioning, and emotional dysregulation—...

Mark as Played

Are you concerned about brain health after cocaine use? You’re not alone. This video explores how nutritional supplements can speed up recovery from cocaine addiction and cocaine withdrawal. Want to know how to support your brain? Keep watching.B vitamins (B6, B9, B12) lower homocysteine levels and boost neurotransmitter production for better memory and mental health. I share exact dosages and warn about risks, like too much B6. An...

Mark as Played

Healing the Brain Post-Addiction: Understanding Neuroplasticity in Cocaine Recovery.Is your brain crying out for recovery from chronic cocaine use? If you're ready to embark on a transformative journey toward healing the brain post-addiction, this episode is your ticket to reclaiming your life. We delve deep into the brain's remarkable ability to repair itself through neuroplasticity, even after the damage caused by drug ad...

Mark as Played

If you've ever wondered how cocaine impacts cognitive function, emotional regulation, and the relentless cycle of addiction, then you're in the right place. Witness how cocaine wreaks havoc on the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and more, leading to devastating memory deficits, decision-making impairments, and risk of psychosis.Join us in exploring the grim reality of cocaine's influence on brain structure, in...

Mark as Played

If you've ever wondered how cocaine impacts cognitive function, emotional regulation, and the relentless cycle of addiction, then you're in the right place. Witness how cocaine wreaks havoc on the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and more, leading to devastating memory deficits, decision-making impairments, and risk of psychosis.Join us in exploring the grim reality of cocaine's influence on brain structure, in...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Latino USA

    Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.