The psychology of alcohol use and addiction with Prof. Roy Baumeister
Send us a textIn 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 notesShould 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 showIf 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
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40:43
'Change resistant drinkers'? The blue light approach with Mark Holmes & Mike Ward
Send us a textIn 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 showIf 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
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46:57
Culture, politics & drinking with Dr James Nicholls
Send us a textIn this episode we talk to Dr James Nicholls about how drinking came to be such a significant part of many modern cultures. We discuss how alcohol use and problems have evolved over recent centuries, and how this reflects various political and social pressures. This includes how drinking escalated with the development of alcohol production, and how laws, consumers and attitudes have shaped drinking practices to the current day. Dr James Nicholls is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Stirling University and author of The Politics of Alcohol. He has worked in alcohol and drug research and policy for over 20 years, including former roles as CEO of Transform and Director of Policy at Alcohol Change UK. Support the showIf 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
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55:38
Non-abstinent recovery: examining drinking reductions for public health with Prof Katie Witkiewitz
Send us a textIn 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 showIf 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
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48:23
How the alcoholism model evolved: IAS Alert episode with Dr James Morris & Jem Roberts
Send us a textIn this episode Jem Roberts, Communications Manager at the Institute of Alcohol Studies, interviews our host Dr James Morris. The episode was originally produced by the Institute of Alcohol Studies. They discuss how the model of alcoholism evolved and led to beliefs about alcohol problems being heavily focused on the severe end of the spectrum. Dr Morris discusses how despite helping many people in their recovery, an alcoholism model carries some costs for public health objectives, particularly in terms of broader groups of people with alcohol use disorder.This issue is addressed in further detail in an open access journal article available here:(Mis)understanding alcohol use disorder: Making the case for a public health first approachSupport the showIf 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
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
Ireland