Over The Counter with Mark & Ben

Mark Fearon and Ben Welthy
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Mark and Ben have been sharing their Codeine Addiction Recovery Journeys on Social Media. It's a secret Addiction which has been battled by so many in secret for years. We want to change that! We will share our stories of living with Codeine Addiction and how we broke free from it. We will have guests on during the season sharing their own Journeys. Lets keep talking about Codeine Addiction. You are not alone

  1. May 12

    S02E10 | The Season Finale Live

    Mark and Ben return for the final episode of Season 2 of Over The Counter and this one was recorded completely live on TikTok. No edits, no safety net and no idea where the conversation would end up. After the weekly check in, the lads are joined live by Ange, Aish, Raj the Pharmacist and Judas for chats covering recovery, social media, life updates and plenty of unpredictable moments along the way. To finish off the season, things take a turn with a game of “Would You Rather: Mark or Ben” as the live audience gets involved in the final moments of Season 2. If you joined live, you were part of the episode. Follow us on: TikTokOver The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otcMark: @markbyfearoBen: @stageoversubstance InstagramMark: @markfearoBen: @thec0deinediaries FacebookMark: www.facebook.com/markbyfearo

    49 min

  2. May 1

    S02E09 | One Year Close & Abby’s Next Chapter

    It’s the penultimate episode of the season, and things are starting to come full circle. Mark and Ben talk through the build-up to Ben reaching one year off codeine, reflecting on where their journeys first began to overlap and how that connection has shaped everything since. Ben also brings in a piece of audio he’s chosen himself, which takes the conversation in a direction Mark wasn’t expecting. They’re then joined by Abby, who returns to the podcast after previously sharing her recovery from codeine. This time, she opens up further about other substances she struggled with, and where life is heading now both personally and within the recovery and social media space. An honest check-in, a few surprises, and a look at what comes next as the season draws to a close. Follow us on: TikTokOver The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otcMark: @markrebuildsBen: @stageoversubstance InstagramMark: @markfearoBen: @thec0deinediaries FacebookMark: www.facebook.com/markswellness

    1h 2m

  3. Apr 17

    S02E08 | Addiction, The Brain & A Parent’s Perspective

    Mark and Ben kick things off with a proper check-in on where life is at right now, what’s been going well, and what’s been challenging. They then dive into a recent article that breaks down how addiction actually affects the brain, and why it goes far beyond just “choice” or willpower. It leads into an honest conversation about their own experiences and when things shifted from control to compulsion. In the second half of the episode, Ben’s mum joins the conversation to share what it was like from a parent’s perspective. From the early signs to the hardest moments, and what recovery has looked like through her eyes. A real and important episode that looks at addiction from both sides. Article mentioned in episode: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305223211.htm You can follow us on: TikTokOver The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otcMark: @markrebuildsBen: @stageoversubstance InstagramMark: @markfearoBen: @thec0deinediaries FacebookMark: www.facebook.com/markswellness

    1h 2m

  4. Apr 9

    S02E07 | Beyond Recovery & Marcus’ Journey with Mean and Clean

    After a short break since Episode 6, we’re back with a proper check-in and an honest conversation about where things are heading next. Recovery will always be part of our story, but it’s no longer the whole story. In this episode, we talk about moving forward, what that looks like for us, and what it means for the future of the podcast. We also dive into a recent Guardian article on exercise addiction and ask a real question. When does something that helped your recovery start to become another problem? To round things off, we’re joined by Marcus from Mean and Clean. Marcus shares his own experience with addiction and how he’s now helping others through it with his programme. If you’ve ever questioned what comes after recovery, or where the line is between discipline and obsession, this one’s worth a listen. You can follow us on: TikTokOver The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otcMark: @markrebuildsBen: @stageoversubstanceMarcus: @meanandcleanuk InstagramMark: @markfearoBen: @thec0deinediariesMarcus: @meanandcleanuk FacebookMark: www.facebook.com/markswellness Guardian article mentioned in the podcast:https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/29/working-out-exercise-addiction-signs Emailmarkandbenotc@gmail.com

    1h 2m

  5. Feb 27

    S02E06 | Mark and Ben Go Deep | Recovery Games

    Episode 6 is a different one. No guest, no holding back. Just Mark and Ben going deeper than they ever have before. From the reality of online dating in recovery to the weight of low self belief, this conversation goes into the places that are usually kept quiet. Mark opens up in a way that might surprise people, and Ben does what Ben does best by asking the questions that matter. There is also a first for the podcast as Mark takes on the Addiction Recovery Olympic Games. Let’s just say it does not go exactly how he imagined. The lads also react to an audio clip from a TikTok video Mark came across by @healingwithzach, which sparks a raw and honest discussion around healing, ego, and what recovery really looks like behind closed doors. This episode is funny in parts, uncomfortable in others, but completely real throughout. If you have ever struggled with confidence, dating, identity, or just figuring out who you are without substances, this one will hit home. As always, this is recovery over the counter. You can follow us on: Tiktok Over The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otc Mark: @markrebuilds Ben: @stageoversubstance Instagram Mark: @markfearo Ben: @thec0deinediaries Email markandbenotc@gmail.com

    48 min

  6. Feb 18

    S02E05 | Should We Stop Saying Addict? | Stevie Is Back

    Episode 5 of Over The Counter sees Mark and Ben sitting down for an honest chat about their recovery from codeine, reflecting on where they are now and what has changed since the early days. They are joined by Stevie, who listeners will remember from Season 1, bringing her straight talking perspective and lived experience to the conversation. The lads listen to an audio clip from Gabor Maté which sparks a deeper discussion around addiction, trauma and the why behind substance use. They also explore fascinating new research from the University of Glasgow, where scientists are studying opioid addiction at a brain circuit level, looking at not just that opioids are addictive, but why. The research suggests it may be possible for the drug to still work for pain while reducing the reward hit that drives addiction, opening up big questions about the future of treatment. There is plenty of insight, a few uncomfortable truths, and of course Ben throws in a surprise game for Stevie that brings some much needed laughter to balance out the heavier topics. As always, it is real, reflective and unfiltered. You can follow us on: Tiktok Over The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otc Mark: @markmyrecovery Ben: @thecodeinediaries Stevie: @stevie_marie12 Instagram Mark: @markfearo Ben: @thec0deinediaries Email markandbenotc@gmail.com

    46 min

  7. Feb 12

    S02E04 | The Smoking Study & Ketamine Truths | Abby’s Story

    Mark and Ben kick things off with a proper weekly check in. Mark opens up about dealing with an injury this week and managing it without using codeine for the first time, while Ben shares about the medication he has recently been prescribed for his restless legs and how that has been affecting him. They then dive into a fascinating study showing that people who quit smoking cigarettes are significantly more likely to maintain long term recovery from other substance addictions like alcohol or drugs compared to those who continue smoking. It sparks a bigger conversation about habits, identity shifts and what sustained recovery really takes. We’re then joined by Abby, who opens up about her ketamine addiction, how it escalated, and what recovery has looked like for her. She also talks about why she is now using her platform to raise awareness about the very real dangers of ketamine use. Real conversations. Real recovery. No filters. You can follow us on: Tiktok Over The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otc Mark: @markmyrecovery Ben: @thecodeinediaries Abby: @tranquilnottranquilised Instagram Mark: @markfearo Ben: @thec0deinediaries Email markandbenotc@gmail.com

    57 min

  8. Feb 4

    S02E03 | Recovered or Always in Recovery? & James' Story

    Mark and Ben kick things off with an update about a milestone Ben reached this week in his recovery journey We hear a powerful audio clip from Gabor Maté, who talks about always in recovery or is it possible to be recovered? We’re then joined by James, who shares his story of addiction and what was the real reason behind his recovery. Real conversations. Real recovery. No filters. You can follow us on: Tiktok Over The Counter: @mark.and.ben.otc Mark: @markmyrecovery Ben: @thecodeinediaries James: @addictedtopeace Instagram Mark: @markfearo Ben: @thec0deinediaries James: @james_mccallion_ Email markandbenotc@gmail.com

    51 min
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About

Mark and Ben have been sharing their Codeine Addiction Recovery Journeys on Social Media. It's a secret Addiction which has been battled by so many in secret for years. We want to change that! We will share our stories of living with Codeine Addiction and how we broke free from it. We will have guests on during the season sharing their own Journeys. Lets keep talking about Codeine Addiction. You are not alone

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