Cracking Addiction

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 unexpected or deadly compounds like fentanyl or nitazenes, as seen in recent 7 news pill testing reports.Dr. Armstrong explores pill testing music festivals, from groovin the moo trials to Victoria’s Beyond the Valley, where over 700 festival-goers used pill testing at music festivals in 2024, with one in six discarding drugs after results. Does pill testing work? Data shows nearly 20% of users avoid drugs post-testing, debunking the pill testing debate myth that it encourages use. The victorian governments pill testing stance has shifted since Dan Andrews pill testing opposition, with 2025 trials expanding to festivals like Pitch Music and Arts, supported by drug testing advocates.These confidential, judgment-free services offer harm reduction advice without condoning drug use, aligning with global pill testing australia trends. Learn how pill testing at festivals saves lives, as highlighted in 7 news pill testing coverage of NSW’s Yours and Owls trial, where 10% of drugs were mislabelled. Whether you’re a festival-goer, parent, or health advocate, this episode unpacks festival safety and party drug dangers.Join the push for smarter drug testing policies! Chapters00:00:00 Introduction: What is Pill Testing?00:00:46 Drug Use at Festivals and the Role of Pill Testing00:01:37 How Pill Testing Works: Scientific Analysis and Harm Reduction00:02:36 Confidential, Non-Judgmental Advice for Users00:03:35 What’s Really in Party Drugs? Surprising and Dangerous Results00:04:27 Does Pill Testing Encourage Drug Use? Evidence and Myths00:05:06 Pill Testing and User Behaviour: The Impact of Results00:05:59 Confidentiality, Legal Protections, and Access to Help00:07:18 Pill Testing’s Influence on Drug Policy and Public Health00:08:20 Conclusion: Pill Testing as a Life-Saving, Compassionate ServiceShare your thoughts below!#PillTestingAustralia #PillTestingMusicFestivals #DoesPillTestingWork #HarmReduction

18 Juni 8min

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 how to calm down anxiety gut feeling naturally!Dr. Armstrong dives into the vagus nerve and mental health, showing how the gut microbiome and mood are tied through serotonin production in gut—90% of your serotonin comes from your gut, not your brain! Learn how gut health and anxiety connect via leaky gut anxiety, inflammation and mental health, and the gut brain axis. Stress and gut health can worsen anxiety disorder, but probiotics for anxiety, fiber rich diet gut health, anti inflammatory gut foods, and omega 3 for brain health offer relief.Packed with holistic approach anxiety tips, this episode explores coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy gut strategies, mindfulness for anxiety, and DBT TIP skills to manage stress management gut issues. Dr. Armstrong shares how foods for gut bacteria and a fiber rich diet gut health can boost mental health and digestion. Curious about how to calm down anxiety gut feeling or distinguish intuition from anxiety disorder? This video has answers.Whether you’re exploring gut health and anxiety or seeking a holistic approach anxiety, this science-backed guide delivers. Download our FREE mental health tools infographic—link in the show notes! Subscribe for more mental health insights! Share your anxiety gut feeling story below! Chapters00:00:00 Gut Feelings: How Your Brain and Belly Are Connected00:00:50 The Enteric Nervous System: Your “Second Brain”00:01:31 Serotonin, Gut Microbiota, and Mental Health00:02:15 Three Routes from Gut to Brain: Neural, Hormonal, Immune00:03:01 Chronic Inflammation: The Link Between Gut, Anxiety, and Depression00:03:47 Treating the Mind Helps the Gut—And Vice Versa00:04:22 Simple Gut-Healthy Habits: Diet, Movement, and More00:05:17 Final Thoughts: Why Supporting Your Gut May Reduce Anxiety#GutFeelingVsAnxiety #GutBrainConnection #MentalHealth #AnxietyGutFeeling #HolisticApproachAnxiety

11 Juni 6min

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 to stop anxiety attacks and overthinking, this guide has you covered.Dr Ferghal Armstrong explains why panic attacks strike, unpacking the role of adrenaline and hyperventilation in your body. Learn coping strategies and mental health tools like the 54321 technique for grounding techniques, square breathing, and 4-7-8 breathing to calm your mind fast. Discover paced breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to ease tension, plus dialectical behavior therapy tricks like DBT TIP skills (Temperature, Intense exercise, Paced breathing) to stop anxiety attacks in their tracks—whether at home or anxiety at work.Curious about how to stop anxiety attacks at work or when diazepam fits into anxiety treatment? Dr. Armstrong reveals when meds help and why your own anxiety management tools often outshine the medicine cabinet. From grounding techniques to environment tweaks, these science-backed mental health tools empower you to take control, no matter if anxiety attacks are new or longstanding.For instant anxiety and panic attack help, grab our FREE downloadable Emergency Anxiety Toolkit infographic—link in the show notes! Save it, print it, or keep it on your phone for how to stop anxiety attacks right now, anytime, anywhere. This episode blends actionable coping strategies, expert insights from Dr Ferghal Armstrong, and hope to not just survive but command your next panic attack with confidence.Download the Emergency Toolkit PDF.https://meducate.now/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/MeducateEmergency-Anxiety-Attack-Toolkit.pdfChapters00:00:00 Understanding Anxiety and Panic Attacks00:00:40 Symptoms and Reality—Why Panic Attacks Aren’t Dangerous00:01:02 The Importance of Having a Clear Plan00:01:35 Step 1: Acknowledge the Anxiety Attack00:01:55 Step 2–3: 5-4-3-2-1 Technique)00:02:42 The Role of Breathing—Hyperventilation and How to Stop It00:03:07 Breathing Techniques: Square Breathing and 4-7-8 Breathing00:03:38 Gentle Movement and the TIP DBT Technique00:04:21 TIP: Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing00:05:19 Progressive Muscle Relaxation 00:06:02 Why Fast Breathing Happens and How to Reverse It00:06:26 Practical Slow Breathing Exercise00:06:54 Medication Use: Diazepam Explained00:07:35 Practice and Preparation: Emergency Anxiety Toolkit00:08:03 Recap of the Go-To Anxiety Attack Strategy#AnxietyAttack #PanicAttack #HowToStopAnxietyAttacksRightNow #DrFerghalArmstrong #MentalHealthTools

3 Juni 9min

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 unpacks the science behind SSRIs, from the chemical imbalance theory of serotonin to the modern role of neuroplasticity in reshaping brain pathways.Dr. Armstrong explains what do SSRIs do, revealing why antidepressant efficacy isn’t instant—those crucial 4-8 weeks are about brain adaptation, not just a serotonin boost. He breaks down clinical trials, showing where SSRIs outperform the placebo effect and where they fall short, especially for mild depression. With antidepressant controversy swirling, learn why side effects like lethargy or emotional numbness affect many, and why only about half of patients see success, highlighting the need for personalized medicine.This video is essential for anyone navigating depression treatment, supporting loved ones, or prescribing antidepressants as clinicians. Dr. Armstrong explores how therapy options and the therapeutic setting amplify results, while the placebo effect can rival SSRIs in some cases. He tackles real-world challenges, from varying response rates to the push for mental health awareness in choosing the right path.Don’t miss this honest look at SSRIs—their strengths, limits, and role in mental health. Dr. Armstrong’s evidence-based insights from clinical trials empower you to make informed decisions about mood disorders and therapy options. Hit play for trustworthy answers and a fresh perspective on the antidepressant controversy!Chapters00:00:00 Introduction: SSRIs and the Mystery of How They Work00:00:41 How SSRIs Affect Serotonin in the Brain00:01:19 Challenging the Chemical Imbalance Theory00:02:09 Do SSRIs Actually Work? Examining the Evidence00:02:53 The Placebo Effect and Study Limitations00:03:31 Real World Response Rates and What They Mean00:04:05 Clinical Judgment and Finding the Right Treatment00:04:44 Setting Realistic Expectations: SSRIs Are Not Magic Bullets00:05:11 Conclusion: The Evolving Science and Role of SSRIs in Depression

28 Maj 5min

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, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.What You’ll Learn:-What do SSRIs really do to your brain?-Why are so many people on long-term antidepressants?-How to tell the difference between SSRI withdrawal and true relapse-Are SSRIs harmful in the long run?-The truth about the chemical imbalance theory-Side effects of long-term SSRI use: lethargy, emotional numbness, sexual dysfunction, and more-How to safely taper off antidepressants using Australia’s “Release” programMost antidepressant research focuses on short-term use, but what happens after years or even decades? This episode reveals the missing pieces in our understanding of long-term SSRI use—and how to take back control if your prescription has turned into a habit.Whether you:-Just started taking SSRIs-Have years of experience with antidepressants-Are a doctor or mental health professional seeking evidence-based strategies-You’ll find practical tools, expert insights, and hope in this episode.Don't let antidepressants become a silent lifetime sentence.Watch now to learn how to stop safely, avoid withdrawal symptoms, and regain control—with guidance from Addiction Specialist Dr. Ferghal Armstrong.Like, subscribe, and share your SSRI experience in the comments below!Subscribe for more on mental health, psychiatry, and addiction science.#ssrians #antidepressants #mentalhealth #depressiontreatment #crackingaddiction #drferghalarmstrongChapters00:00:00 Australia’s High Antidepressant Use: An Alarming Trend00:00:43 Why Are People Staying on Antidepressants Long Term?00:01:41 The Habit of Long Term Use: Automatic and Unquestioned00:02:30 Lack of Evidence for Long Term Effectiveness00:03:18 Downsides and Side Effects of Chronic Use00:03:54 Emotional Numbness and Lasting Sexual Dysfunction00:04:31 Withdrawal vs. Relapse: The Challenge of Stopping00:05:08 Tapering Difficulties and Lack of Guidelines00:05:59 The Release Program: A New Approach to Safe Deprescribing00:06:45 Changing the Narrative: Tools and Support for Safe Discontinuation

28 Maj 7min

Why Alcohol Makes Anxiety WorseUnravel 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 anxiety and alcohol abuse use alcohol to self-medicate, but the risks are huge. Learn how alcohol effects disrupt brain chemistry, fueling a feedback loop where anxiety and drinking worsen each other. Dr. Armstrong reveals why quitting alcohol and anxiety go hand-in-hand and why traditional treatments often fail for mental health struggles. Get practical tips to break the cycle and build real coping skills! Why watch? Bust myths and find hope for anxiety and alcohol recovery.Subscribe for more mental health insights!Share your story below!Chapters00:00:00 The Reality of Self-Medicating Anxiety with Alcohol00:00:42 Prevalence and Demographics of Self-Medication00:01:27 Who is Most at Risk for Self-Medicating?00:02:18 Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Harm00:03:04 Increased Risks: Dependence, Depression, and Suicidality00:03:39 The Bidirectional Cycle: Anxiety and Alcohol00:04:25 Withdrawal, Protracted Abstinence, and the Vicious Cycle00:04:53 The Psychological Feedback Loop00:05:32 Why People with Anxiety Turn to Alcohol00:06:10 Personality, Coping Skills, and Self-Medication00:07:06 Dual Diagnosis: Why Traditional Treatments Often Fail00:07:51 Integrated CBT: Treating Anxiety and Alcohol Use Together00:08:53 Clinical Practice—Prevention, Questions, and Skills for Coping00:09:30 Recovery Is Possible with Integrated Care

14 Maj 9min

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. Did you know 64% of those with alcohol problems face clinical depression? Discover how alcohol, a depressant, worsens mental health, and why siloed treatments fail. Dr. Armstrong breaks down dual diagnosis treatment strategies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and screening tools like AUDIT and PHQ-9. Get practical tips to tackle drink problems and boost recovery through integrated dual diagnosis channel care. Why watch? Gain hope with compassionate, holistic approaches to alcohol and depression recovery. Subscribe for more mental health insights! Share your story below!Chapters00:00:00 Alcohol and Depression: A Complicated Relationship00:00:41 Prevalence and the Vicious Cycle00:01:24 Correlation and Causation: The Two-Way Street00:01:53 How Alcohol Triggers Depression00:02:27 Psychosocial Consequences and Escalating Depression00:02:55 Depression Leading to Alcohol Use: Self-Medication00:03:34 The Impact on Quality of Life00:04:10 Challenges with Traditional Treatment Approaches00:04:55 Integrated Dual Diagnosis Care: CBT and MI00:05:32 Case Example: Sam’s Story00:06:06 The Importance of Aftercare and Ongoing Support00:06:38 Medication, Screening, and Clinical Considerations00:07:35 Stigma and the Need for Compassionate Care00:08:17 Key Takeaways and Summing Up00:08:48 Final Message: Recovery Is Possible

7 Maj 9min

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 paramedic school and first responder OD training. Shocking gaps persist: Victoria Police can’t carry naloxone, 40% of pharmacies don’t stock it, and stigma endangers families. Uncover overdose EMT insights, policy failures, and reforms needed to combat drug OD as synthetic opioids hit Australia. Chapters00:00:00 Naloxone Saves Lives: Introduction and Key Facts00:00:39 How Naloxone Works: Mechanism and Safety00:01:15 Forms of Naloxone and Accessibility for the Public00:02:10 Evidence Supporting Community Naloxone Programs00:02:57 Successes and Gaps in Australia’s Take Home Naloxone Program00:03:56 Emerging Threats: Synthetic Opioids and Urgency of Intervention00:04:44 Victoria’s Policy Disconnect: Police and Naloxone Access00:05:19 Legal Barriers and Double Standards in Overdose Response00:06:12 Litigation Fears and Naloxone Supply Pressures00:06:54 Misconceptions about Overdose Risk: Prescription Opioids00:07:39 The Need for Culture Change: Normalizing Naloxone Access00:08:20 Solutions and Recommendations: Closing the Gaps00:09:17 Final Thoughts: Lives Saved with Better Policy#overdoseprevention #FentanylOverdose #HarmReduction

30 Apr 9min