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
This episode of Cracking Addiction delivers a powerful, evidence-packed message on how smoking profoundly impacts reproductive health, pregnancy, and the lifelong wellbeing of children.
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong takes viewers beyond the commonly known risks of cancer and lung disease, diving deep into the lesser-discussed but critically important topic of tobacco’s effects on fertility, fetal development, and transgenerational health.
T...
Every puff of cigarette smoke delivers toxic chemicals deep into your lungs—triggering a cascade of damage that most people don’t realise until it’s too late. Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives into the devastating effects of smoking on lung health, from early symptoms like chronic cough to advanced stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.You'll learn how cigarette smoke impacts the respiratory system, des...
Smoking’s Secret Weapon: Vascular Poison in Every Puff
In this high-voltage episode of Cracking Addiction,
Dr Ferghal Armstrong delivers a powerful reminder: cardiovascular disease is the most immediate risk of smoking—not just lung cancer years down the line.
Even minimal exposure—whether a couple of cigarettes a day or inhaling secondhand smoke—is enough to trigger endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, thrombosis, and lipid imba...
The Shocking Truth About Smoking and Cancer!
Part 3
This video dives deep into the molecular chaos caused by tobacco smoke, revealing how it doesn’t just increase cancer risk—it drives it.
Every puff delivers over 7,000 chemicals, including 69 known carcinogens like benzo-A-pyrene and formaldehyde.
These toxins bind to DNA, creating harmful adducts that trigger mutations, particularly in critical genes like TP53, which regulate cell ...
Cigarettes Today Are Engineered for Addiction — Here's How.
PART 1 of 6 "Unfiltered: Inside the Smoke"T
oday’s cigarettes are a far cry from the simple tobacco rolls of the past. In this explosive episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong pulls back the curtain on how modern cigarette design has been weaponised to supercharge nicotine addiction, deepen smoke inhalation, and manipulate public perception.
Learn ...
Shocking Facts About Cigarette Chemicals!
Cigarettes are more than just dried tobacco—they’re chemical weapons in disguise. In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction,
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives deep into the real science behind cigarette smoke and its devastating impact on the human body.
With over 7,000 chemicals per puff—and 69 known carcinogens—smoking unleashes a toxic storm on your cells, your DNA, and every organ syst...
How to Stop Shopping Addiction Signs, Diagnosis & Real-Life ImpactIs. Is It Just Retail Therapy — or Something Deeper?
Is your shopping habit harmless fun, or could it be compulsive buying disorder (oniomania)?
In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong breaks down the hidden reality of shopping addiction — its diagnosis, stigma, and the very real consequences on daily life.
What you’ll learn in this...
Dr Armstrong Shares Ways to Help With Porn Addiction!
Are you battling porn addiction symptoms or wondering why porn addiction is harmful? In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction,
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong uncovers the truth about porn addiction, its impact on mental health, and how to overcome it using proven, science-based methods.
You’ll learn whether porn addiction is real—even though it's not officially listed in diagn...
Is Porn Addiction Real? | Truth Behind Porn Addiction Explained
Is porn addiction actually real — or just a myth? In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong explores what really happens to your brain when watching porn and why some people can’t stop.
Discover the shocking science behind porn addiction symptoms like emotional numbness, relationship issues, and even erectile dysfunction — all linked to dop...
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...
Struggling with porn addiction or supporting someone who is? This episode of "Cracking Addiction" delivers real talk, clinical insight, and proven strategies for lasting recovery. 🚨 Subscribe for more expert-led content on addiction and recovery! 🚨Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong as he tackles the complex truth about porn addiction help, from hidden signs of porn addiction to the emotional toll of shame and porn addiction. Wh...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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