Advertise on podcast: The Alcohol 'Problem' Podcast

In this episode, I talk to Dr Katherine Severi, Chief Executive of the Institute for Alcohol Studies (IAS), about the importance of alcohol policy. We discuss the evidence, barriers, and debates around alcohol policy and why England is still yet to introduce measures such as minimum unit pricing. We also discuss the recent IAS report on parliamentary alcohol use. Dr. Katherine Severi is the Chief Executive of the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS), an independent charity dedicated to advancing evidence-based policy to reduce alcohol harm. Before joining IAS, Katherine gained valuable experience in the UK Civil Service and the charity sector.  She holds a Doctorate in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a Master’s in Global Health and Public Policy from the University of Edinburgh. Her primary research focuses on the influence of corporations and managing conflicts of interest in public health policy. Reports and links: Bhattacharya, A., Angus, C., Pryce, R., Holmes, J., Brennan, A., & Meier, P. S. (2018). How dependent is the alcohol industry on heavy drinking in England? Addiction, 113(12), 2225–2232.  IAS blog: Two thirds of alcohol sales are to heavy drinkers Under the influence? Perspectives of alcohol in the parliamentary workplace among UK MPs and staff Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode, I speak with Chris Barnes about his experience of alcohol use during his time in the British Army and his journey from problematic use to recovery. Chris now works as a researcher at Liverpool John Moores University, while also serving as an Ambassador for Heroic Hearts UK. He is currently completing a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, bringing both lived and professional expertise to his work. In addition to exploring Chris' experience of alcohol use and recovery, we discuss issues including drinking culture in the armed forces, the relationship between alcohol use, mental health and other factors that influence alcohol use and problems.  Show notes/resources: Recent report led by Dr Laura Goodwin on improving support for former personnel with mental health and alcohol use disorders: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/how-to-improve-treatment-for-former-service-personnel-with-both-mental-health-and-alcohol-use-disorders-1 What are the consequences of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the mental health of the UK armed forces? A cohort study https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)60672-1/fulltext Military service and alcohol use: a systematic narrative review: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/09540261.2010.550868 Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode, we discuss how addiction affects families, the challenges of supporting a loved one, and practical, evidence-based approaches to  conversations with others who may be experiencing addiction problems.  Richard Velleman is Emeritus Professor of Mental Health Research at the University of Bath, Co-Director of the Addictions and Related Research Group at Sangath (India), and a founder of the Addiction and the Family International Network (AFINet). A clinical and academic psychologist, he is internationally recognised for his work on addiction, family members affected by addiction, and psychological interventions. He co-developed the influential Stress-Strain-Information-Coping-Support (SSICS) model and 5-Step Method, which are used worldwide to support families affected by addiction. His current work focuses on improving access to mental health care through community-based and digital interventions in the UK, India, and internationally.  Resources mentioned in this episode: AFINet (Addiction and the Family International Network) – Research, resources and support for people affected by a loved one's addiction: https://afinetwork.info/AFINet 5-Step Method – Evidence-based approach to supporting affected family members: https://afinetwork.info/the-5-step-method-resource-hub/Adfam (UK) – Information and support for families affected by drugs, alcohol and gambling: https://adfam.org.uk/Peer support Al-Anon – Support for families and friends of people with alcohol problems: https://al-anon.org/Alateen – Support for young people affected by someone else's drinking: https://al-anon.org/for-members/group-resources/alateen/Nar-Anon – Support for families and friends of people who use drugs: https://nar-anon.org/Families Anonymous – Support for families affected by addiction and related behaviours: https://familiesanonymous.org/Other evidence-based support  Alternatives – Support groups and practical help for families and friends: https://www.alternat-i-ves.org/SMART Recovery Family & Friends – Evidence-based support programmes (country-specific):Australia: https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au/family-friends-programUK: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/smart_family__friends/USA: https://smartrecovery.org/familyCanada: https://smartrecovery-canada.ca/programsInvitation to Change – Compassionate, evidence-based approach for helping someone with substance use problems: https://cmcffc.org/approach/invitation-to-changeSupport the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode I talk to Professor Hanna Pickard about addiction, identity and denial, and how these are relevant to understanding and treating alcohol problems. Hanna Pickard is Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics and Krieger-Eisenhower Professor at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to her wok as a philosopher and as a therapist, she has published extensively on the topic of addiction. Her new book, What Would You Do Alone in a Cage with Nothing but Cocaine? A Philosophy of Addiction is available to order here via her website.  Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode we discuss alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD), what it is, its treatment, and hear Lesley's experience as a survivor of ARLD and transplant. Lesley was a patient of Dr Ashwin Dhanda, a liver specialist, and both provide their insights into the condition and how society should do more to raise awareness of and prevent alcohol-related harm and ARLD. Ashwin Dhanda is Professor of Liver Medicine at the University of Plymouth and a liver specialist at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. He leads a programme of research around stigma in alcohol-related liver disease including identifying causes of stigma and how it affects people and designing interventions to tackle it. Lesley was diagnosed with ARLD in December 2019, which led to a liver transplant in December 2019. She is part of a liver support group supporting other patients and working as a patient representative with Ashwin on a research project around stigma in alcohol related liver disease and helping the research team design interventions to tackle it from a patient/peer perspective. Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode I speak to Nathan Joseph, an online fitness coach and author of The LCA method recipe book.  Nathan discusses his own personal journey through battling mental health issues, and how alcohol has played both positive and negative roles in his life. In Nathan's experience, alcohol use has been a big part of his social life and important memories, but also a barrier to his fitness and wellbeing. Nathan talks with openness about his own experience and passion for helping others without judging people for their choices.  Nathan posts regularly on Instagram, offers online fitness coaching and his recipe book can be purchased here.  Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode I talk to Dr Gabriel Caluzzi about drink spiking, methanol poisoning & young people's drinking.  Dr Caluzzi is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University. His interests include youth and gendered drinking practices, and he recently co-authored the book “Young People, Alcohol, and Risk: A Culture of Caution”. For further reading on drink spiking, see: Burrell A, Woodhams J, Gregory P, et al. Spiking prevalence and motivation: A review of the literature: National Crime Agency, 2023.Caluzzi G, Wilson I, Riordan B, et al. Alcohol and legitimate victimhood: Analysing Reddit posts to understand perceptions of alcohol’s role in drink spiking and sexual violence. International Journal of Drug Policy 2025;138:104743. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104743For further reading on youth drinking, see: Vashishtha R, Pennay A, Dietze P, et al. Trends in Adolescent Drinking Across 39 High-Income Countries: Exploring the Timing and Magnitude of Decline. European Journal of Public Health 2020:1-8. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa193Caluzzi G, Livingston M, Holmes J, et al. Declining drinking among adolescents: Are we seeing a denormalisation of drinking and a normalisation of non-drinking? Addiction 2022;117(5):1204-12. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15611 Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode I talk to Prof. Georg Schomerus, Professor and Chair at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig. Prof Schomerus is a leading academic in the field of stigma towards alcohol and mental health problems. We discuss the nature of stigma towards alcohol problems, what drives stigma, how it relates to social behaviours and wider world events, and what can be done to challenge stigma.  Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode, Aunee Bhogaita, shares her lived experience of alcohol problems and recovery. Aunee is a South Asian woman who has empowered herself through her experiences of sexual abuse, domestic abuse and alcohol addiction in order to challenge stigma and taboo surrounding these issues and help others. We discuss her early experiences of trauma as laying the foundations for her alcohol problems, her life story, her challenges and successes, and her recovery journey.  Please note: This episode includes mention of sexual abuse, domestic abuse and mental health difficulties including suicide attempts. It does not go into detail about these events but listener discretion is advised. Note from the host Dr James Morris: Aunee describes her past traumatic experiences with inspiring openness and bravery. It is one of the most powerful lived experience accounts I have heard, and Aunee beautifully demonstrates how recovery is possible and how it exists as a fundamentally a human experience. I am hugely grateful to have had her on the show for this episode, she is a truly inspiring individual.  Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

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 Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

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 Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In 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 show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

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 Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In 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 approach Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram

In this episode we discuss alcohol treatment with two highly experienced practitioners, Dr Luke Mitcheson and Dr Mike Kelleher. We cover key components of effective treatment, mental health and other important issues, and other important issues such as the importance of the individual in leading their recovery.  Dr Luke Mitcheson is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and Clinical Advisor to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. He has worked in mental health and drug and alcohol treatment services since 1993 and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust since 1998.  He is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Accredited Therapist with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists.  Dr Michael Kelleher is a consultant addictions psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. He trained in addiction psychiatry at the Maudsley hospital and Institute of Psychiatry in London and is a Clinical Advisor to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Support the show If you are interested in one-to-one support for your drinking with Dr James Morris, contact him at DrJamesMorris.com Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox here.  For more episodes visit https://alcoholpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Follow us on Instagram