The Alcohol 'Problem' Podcast

James Morris
The Alcohol 'Problem' Podcast

The Alcohol Problem Podcast aims to explore the nature of problem drinking with Dr James Morris and a range of guests. One to one support for your drinking is available with Dr James Morris at www.drjamesmorris.com

  1. The psychology of alcohol use and addiction with Prof. Roy Baumeister

    JUN 12

    The psychology of alcohol use and addiction with Prof. Roy Baumeister

    Send us a text In this episode, we talk to Prof. Roy Baumeister about the psychology of alcohol use and addiction. We cover topics such as why people drink, the effects of alcohol, the role of emotions such as guilt, and how self-control works.  Prof Baumeister is one of the most eminent living psychologists with over 40 books and 700 scientific publications. His book "Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength" (with John Tierney) was a New York Times bestseller. Show notes Should alcohol research say more about the pleasure of alcohol use? A recent article published in the journal of Addiction prompted a range of responses and further comment.  In discussing whether harmful effects of alcohol use are over-estimated, I mention studies using Mendelian Randomization. One of the studies in East Asian populations where genetic 'flushing' effects have been used to test whether risks of alcohol consumption providing evidence for there being no protective effects of moderate drinking. A recent meta-analysis looked at how different quality studies appear to account for different findings around low level alcohol consumption, thus explaining the supposed 'health benefits' of low consumption.   Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us at @alcoholpodcast on X and Instagram

    41 min
  2. 'Change resistant drinkers'? The blue light approach with Mark Holmes & Mike Ward

    APR 17

    'Change resistant drinkers'? The blue light approach with Mark Holmes & Mike Ward

    Send us a text In this episode we talk to Mark Holmes and Mike Ward about the Blue Light approach, which aims to challenge the belief that nothing can be done with drinkers who may be deemed as 'not wanting to change'.  The Blue Light approach aims to show there are a range of positive strategies that can be used to manage risk, reduce harm and promote change. We discuss the ideas and myths behind 'change resistant drinkers', and explore what approaches and strategies are most effective when working with people with severe alcohol problems who are not currently engaging in alcohol treatment or other support.  Mike Ward is from a Social Work background but has worked most of his career in the alcohol and drug field.  He is the co-author of the Blue Light Manual on Working with Change Resistant Drinkers but also other practical guides including Safeguarding Vulnerable Dependent Drinkers.  He is the author of over thirty serious case reviews about individuals with alcohol and/or drug use disorders. Mark Holmes. BSc, RMN, SPMH has been a mental health nurse for over 30 years.  Mark was being twice awarded Nursing Times Awards; The Mental Health Nurse of the Year in 2012 and LTC Team of the year 2016. He also works as an associate for Alcohol Change UK co-authoring the Blue Light Project and has had over 20 publications. He currently sits on UK alcohol clinical guidelines expert group, and Alcohol Care Teams Steering group (ACTION).  Details of the Blue Light approach can be found here. It is an initiative to develop alternative approaches and care pathways for drinkers who are not in contact with treatment services, but who have complex needs. It challenges the belief that only drinkers who show clear motivation to change can be helped, and sets out positive strategies that can be used with this client group. The Blue Light manual sets out these strategies in detail and offers a fundamental positive message that change is possible. It contains: Tools for understanding why individuals may not engageRisk assessment tools which are appropriate for drinkersHarm reduction techniques workers can useAdvice on crucial nutritional approaches which can reduce alcohol-related harmQuestions to help non-clinicians identify where individuals may be at risk of serious health problemsManagement frameworksGuidance on legal frameworks Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us at @alcoholpodcast on X and Instagram

    47 min
  3. Non-abstinent recovery: examining drinking reductions for public health with Prof Katie Witkiewitz

    08/01/2024

    Non-abstinent recovery: examining drinking reductions for public health with Prof Katie Witkiewitz

    Send us a text In this episode we talk to Prof Katie Witkiewitz about non-abstinent recovery and the role of drinking reductions in reducing alcohol-related harm. We discuss this from both a public health perspective, and the role of abstinence or drinking reduction goals in the context of treatment and recovery.  Professor Katie Witkiewitz is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions at the University of New Mexico. Professor Witkiewitz is also a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked extensively on the development, evaluation, and implementation of mindfulness-based treatments for substance use disorder. She serves on the United States National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Professor Witkiewitz is Editor of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, and serves on the editorial boards of Substance Use and Misuse, Alcohol and Alcoholism, Annual Reviews: Clinical Psychology, and Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science. Her research has been supported by multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health, totaling over $90 million in research funding since 2004. She has authored 6 books and over 300 peer-reviewed publications, and has given over 100 presentations and invited talks.  Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us at @alcoholpodcast on X and Instagram

    48 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

The Alcohol Problem Podcast aims to explore the nature of problem drinking with Dr James Morris and a range of guests. One to one support for your drinking is available with Dr James Morris at www.drjamesmorris.com

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