Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura Petracek in this enlightening discussion about Radical Acceptance—a powerful concept that can lead us towards healing and empowerment. Radical acceptance is the process of acknowledging that we have the resources to move forward despite life's challenges. By embracing this mindset, we can alleviate suffering, reduce substance use, and foster healthier relationships. In this video, Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Petracek delve into the key steps of radical acceptan...
Sep 20, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 110
Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong, Dr. Laura Petracek, and Kate Butler in this insightful discussion about using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness techniques to aid individuals with chronic pain. Chronic pain, persisting beyond three months with no apparent pathology, can be exacerbated by various psychological factors, such as trauma, mental health disorders, and catastrophization. In this talk, they shed light on the groundbreaking eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction progra...
Sep 13, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 109
In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura Petracek delve into the significance of validating the invalid during conversations. They shed light on the power of respecting differing points of view, even when they may seem invalid, as a means to achieve resolution and harmony. The duo introduces the GIVE mnemonic - Gentle, Genuine, Interested, and Easy - as an effective tool for validating others' perspectives and avoiding heated arguments. They explore the benefits ...
Sep 06, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 108
In this insightful conversation, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura Petracek delve into the vital aspects of effective communication: showing interest in others, active listening, and the power of validation. Dr. Armstrong emphasises the significance of giving space to open up and using body language to convey genuine interest. However, the challenge arises when discussing passionate subjects, as faking interest becomes difficult. Learn how to employ body language, such as maintaining eye conta...
Aug 30, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 107
In this insightful episode of Cracking Addiction, joinDr Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura Petracek as they delve into the transformative concept of GIVE from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). GIVE, represented by the letters G-I-V-E, stands for Genuine, Showing Interest, Validating, and Using an Easy Manner. Discover how these principles can help individuals establish and maintain meaningful relationships, even amidst challenging situations. Dr. Laura explains the significance of being Genuine...
Aug 23, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 106
Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura Petracek in this insightful discussion on self-respect as a fundamental aspect of how we relate to others. Discover effective techniques, including the FAST approach (Be Fair to Yourself and Others, No Apologies, Stick to Values, Be Truthful), that can help you cultivate self-respect and self-esteem. Gain valuable insights into the concept of fairness and its impact on relationships, as well as the distinction between equity and equality. Explore the ongo...
Aug 16, 2023•18 min•Season 2Ep. 105
Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura Petracek as they delve into the transformative O-M-A-N (Observation, Measuring, Asserting, and Not) framework for negotiating with friends, partners, colleagues, and others. In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Armstrong emphasises the power of observation and creating healthy boundaries without jeopardising relationships. Discover how being a disinterested observer and practicing mindfulness can keep emotions in check during negotiations. Explore practic...
Aug 09, 2023•25 min•Season 2Ep. 104
Improve your relationships and enhance your interpersonal skills with the Dear Man technique, a powerful tool derived from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura Petracek as they delve into the intricacies of this technique and its application for individuals with substance use disorders and borderline personality disorder. The Dear Man technique helps you navigate challenging conversations and assert your intentions confidently. Discover how to effectivel...
Aug 02, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 103
In this episode, we explore the diagnosis of depression and its subtypes. Depression is a powerful emotional state that affects work, relationships, and more. We delve into major depression, the symptoms, and diagnostic criteria. We discuss how depression can be a clinical disorder, not just negative thoughts. Dan Pham emphasises the importance of explaining the diagnosis to loved ones. We also examine persistent depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and the link between depression and subst...
Jul 26, 2023•22 min•Season 2Ep. 102
Join us on Cracking Addiction as we delve into the fascinating world of dual diagnosis and triple diagnosis in addiction medicine. Dual diagnosis refers to the coexistence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, while triple diagnosis encompasses the additional dimension of physical health. In this thought-provoking series, experts Dan Pham and Ferghal Armstrong explore the interplay between mental health, substance use, and physical well-being, shedding light on the complex re...
Jul 19, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 101
Welcome to the 100th episode of Cracking Addiction. In this milestone episode, we delve deep into the assessment of dependency, comparing home-based detox with inpatient detox, and explore the fundamental principles of managing withdrawals for alcohol, cannabis, methamphetamine, and opioids. We examine the important decision of choosing between home-based detox and inpatient detox. We also explore the advantages and challenges of both approaches, considering factors such as the level of support,...
Jul 12, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Steve Herd delve into the grim reality of family violence, exposing its potential for lethality. They focus on key risk factors, including the perpetrators' behaviour towards pets and their use of jealousy as a tool for control. The discussion begins by highlighting the alarming connection between the mistreatment of animals and domestic violence. Steve Herd emphasises that harm to pets serves as a significant risk factor, revealing the narcissism and psychopathy behind...
Jul 05, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 99
In this serious and thought-provoking episode of "Cracking Addiction," Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Mr. Stephen Heard shed light on evidence-based risk factors for lethality in family violence. They address the complexities faced by clinicians when dealing with female victims and emphasise the importance of understanding their resilience strategies. The episode explores the heightened risks during separation, with violence often escalating afterward. Herd stresses the need to prioritise safety by c...
Jun 28, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In this thought-provoking episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr Ferghal Armstrong and Steve Herd delve into the grim reality of family violence, focusing on the evidence-based risk factors for lethality. With a serious tone, they shed light on the Common Risk Assessment Framework, which highlights factors that significantly contribute to the risk of lethality in domestic abuse cases. Drawing attention to the alarming statistics, the hosts reveal the distressing truth that more than one woman per wee...
Jun 21, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 97
In this informative episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura J. Petracek discuss the power of mindfulness and meditation in regulating our emotions. They explore the concept of mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment without worrying about the past or future, and they explain how this can lead to decreased physiological responses and a lower heart rate. They also delve into the differences between mindfulness and meditation, and how both techniques can benefit the ...
Jun 14, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 96
In this episode of Cracking Addition, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and Dr. Laura J. Petracek discuss the important topic of managing emotional distress through reality acceptance and mindfulness skills. They delve into the concept of reality acceptance and explain how it involves accepting the situation for what it is, which ultimately causes less suffering. They also stress the importance of being responsive rather than reactive, and the space between event and response where a choice can be made. Fur...
Jun 07, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 95
In this thought-provoking Cracking Addiction episode, Dr Ferghal Armstrong and Steve Herd delve into the complex issue of how alcohol intersects with family violence. From the perspective of both the perpetrator and the victim of family violence, they explore the use of victim blaming and victim numbing to justify drinking in a family violence context. They also discuss the use of alcohol and drugs as a form of coercion in family violence and how access to treatment can be an issue. Dr Ferghal A...
May 31, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 94
In this thought-provoking episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr Ferghal Armstrong and Steve Herd delve into the complex intersection between AOD (alcohol and other drugs) use and family violence. The duo challenges the common misconception that stopping AOD use would automatically eliminate family violence. According to Armstrong and Herd, family violence is a long-term set of behaviours that require a comprehensive approach to tackle effectively. The discussion also covers the broader picture of fa...
May 24, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 93
The Sensory Awareness Rule of Five is a technique that involves shifting one's focus from distressing thoughts or emotions to neutral sensory input. By focusing on what we can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste, we can ground ourselves in the present moment and reduce the intensity of our distress. This technique can be particularly helpful for individuals who experience re-experiencing symptoms associated with PTSD. By focusing on neutral stimuli, we can shift our attention away from distressing...
May 17, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 92
TIPP is a simple and effective acronym that stands for Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing, and Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Each component of TIPP is designed to help us manage acute distress in a different way. Temperature: Exposure to cold temperatures has been shown to reduce sympathetic nervous system tone and increase parasympathetic nervous system tone. This means that cold exposure can help us calm down and feel more relaxed. To use this technique, you can try putting your f...
May 11, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Dr. Laura explains in more detail about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and its four core components: distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness training, mindfulness, and emotional regulation. DBT is a type of therapy that helps people regulate their emotions and develop coping skills. Dialectics is a key concept that runs through each of the modules of DBT. It involves accepting both sides of a situation rather than seeing things in black and white, either-or terms. For example, instea...
May 03, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 90
I chat with Dr Laura Petracek about unnecessary suffering. There is a famous saying: ”Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”. We all experience inevitable pain such as bereavement, separation, illness and ageing. Suffering is optional in that it is a function of how we react to the pain. Maladaptive coping strategies cause optional suffering. These include drug or alcohol misuse, or maladaptive psychological constructs such as wishing for a different outcome, anticipating the worst, ruminati...
Apr 26, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 89
In this episode Stephen Herd and I continue our discussion on the power and control wheel. The Power and Control Wheel was developed by a group of activists in Duluth, Minnesota, in the 1980s, who recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to address family violence. The Duluth Model is based on the belief that domestic violence is a result of the abuser's desire for power and control over their partner. According to the Duluth Model, domestic violence is not caused by anger, substance abu...
Apr 19, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 88
In this episode Stephen Herd and I discuss the Power and Control Wheel: a widely used tool to help understand the dynamics of family violence and identify ways to address it. The Power and Control Wheel was developed by a group of activists in Duluth, Minnesota, in the 1980s, who recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to address family violence. The Duluth Model is based on the belief that domestic violence is a result of the abuser's desire for power and control over their partner. Ac...
Apr 13, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Steve Herd is an expert in the field of family violence. In our first of a series of conversations, he explains that family violence is not just physical abuse. It includes emotional, psychological and sexual abuse as well. The abuser uses various tactics to maintain control over their partner, such as isolating them from friends and family, controlling their finances, and limiting their access to information. Herd also highlights the role of gender in family violence. He explains that men are m...
Apr 06, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 86
In this episode of Cracking Addiction, we are again joined by addiction psychiatrist Dr Dan Pham and discuss how to take a trauma history without further traumatising or triggering a patient. We also discuss the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and how to formulate this condition. In this episode, we discuss trauma-informed care and how to treat and manage trauma and PTSD, and what psychological and medical therapies may be useful to manage this condition, and briefly touch on some of the emerging r...
Mar 29, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In the episode of Cracking Addiction, we are joined by Dr Daniel Pham an Addiction Psychiatrist working at Turning Point who discusses with us the differences and similarities between Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry. We discuss the term dual diagnosis and the interplay between mental health and substance use disorders. This episode focuses mainly on trauma, PTSD and its interplay with substance use disorders and we discuss how trauma occurs and how to diagnose trauma and PTSD. We als...
Mar 22, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 84
Join us in this episode as we hear from Dr. Tony Weeks, a former Director of Anaesthesia at Alfred Health, as he shares his experiences in treating doctors with addiction and working in a medically supervised injecting room. Dr. Weeks speaks candidly about the challenges of helping colleagues with substance use disorders, and the complexities of treating doctors who are also struggling with addiction. After retiring from his work as an anesthetist, Dr. Weeks volunteered at a drug consumption roo...
Mar 15, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 83
This week on Cracking Addiction we talk with Psycologist and Author Dr Laura Petracek. We explore the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and how they can be applied to the 12 Steps of addiction recovery. Recovering from addiction and managing a mental illness can be challenging and often feels like they take over your life. However, with the right tools and strategies, you can regulate your emotions, develop self-management skills, reduce anxiety and stress, and feel like yourself ...
Mar 08, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Join us in this informative episode as we dive into the topic of urine drug tests in Addiction Medicine. We will discuss the purpose and importance of these tests and the circumstances in which they are performed. We will also touch on the key indications that may lead to a urine drug screen being administered during addiction treatment. Patients can often have concerns and feel stigma surrounding urine drug testing. We will address these issues and offer ways to mitigate any negative feelings t...
Mar 01, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 81
