Explore every episode of the podcast The Alcohol 'Problem' Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In conversation with Nathan Joseph | 14 Dec 2025 | 00:49:06 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| Drink spiking, methanol poisoning & young people's drinking with Dr Gabriel Caluzzi | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:32:03 | |
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:
For further reading on youth drinking, see:
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/ | |||
| In conversation with Millie Gooch | 13 Feb 2024 | 00:37:47 | |
In this episode we talk to Millie Gooch, founder of Sober Girl Society. Millie talks about her journey to sobriety and how this led her to setting up alcohol free spaces and events for the sober curious. We discuss the current role of sobriety and possible reasons behind recent growth in sobriety movements, mindful drinking and other alcohol-free communities. 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/ | |||
| In conversation with Joe Heeney | 28 Oct 2023 | 00:41:48 | |
In this episode we talk to Joe Heeney about his life and experience of alcohol problems and recovery. 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/ | |||
| Evaluating the Huberman Lab alcohol episode | 10 Jul 2023 | 00:29:01 | |
In this episode Dr James Morris evaluates the Huberman Lab's alcohol episode, particularly addressing why the language and terms used around alcohol problems are important. For instance, whilst the Huberman Lab's episode provides a detailed description of the ways alcohol can affect the brain, body and health, in using alcoholism terminology it overlooks a number of important issues. Notably, alcoholism is a non-scientific concept and embedded with stigma and myths about alcohol problems and their causes. Dr Morris therefore discusses why, except when people self-identify as 'alcoholics' (for instance as per Alcoholics Anonymous), scientists and the general public at large should avoid using alcoholism terminology, and instead consider terms like alcohol problems, alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder. 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/ | |||
| Alcoholics Anonymous: what is it, how does it work? | 29 Mar 2023 | 00:57:52 | |
In this episode we explore what Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is and how it works.
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/ | |||
| Dry January & temporary abstinence: is it worth it? With Prof. Matt Field | 20 Dec 2022 | 00:34:42 | |
In this episode we talk to Prof. Matt Field about the evidence behind Dry January and temporary abstinence. We discuss what is known about the possible health and other benefits for drinkers from temporarily abstaining from alcohol. This includes who temporary abstinence may or may not be suitable for and implications for understanding drinking and alcohol addiction or dependence. 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/ | |||
| Drinking behaviour, risks and causes with Professor Tony Moss | 18 Nov 2022 | 00:51:54 | |
In this episode Professor Tony Moss talks about key drivers of drinking behaviour and alcohol-related risks, problems and causes. This covers how alcohol use can develop into addiction, and the complex nature of associated problems and the range of psychological, social and sometime biological factors involved. 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/ | |||
| In conversation with Jon Ashworth MP | 07 Sep 2022 | 00:32:05 | |
In this episode we speak to Jon Ashworth MP about his experience and views of parental alcohol problems and affected others, as well as parliamentary drinking culture, alcohol policy and related issues. Jon has spoken openly about his father's alcohol problems which lead to his death in 2010. He has campaigned and supported a range of action to help people affected by parental drinking, including having run multiple marathons in support of NACOA. Jon is currently Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, having previously been Labour’s longest running Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Support and further information relating to parental alcohol problems can be found at: https://nacoa.org.uk/ https://adfam.org.uk/ 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/ | |||
| Alcohol, addiction and the brain with Dr Marc Lewis | 07 Jul 2022 | 00:39:53 | |
In this episode we talk to Dr Marc Lewis, a neuroscientist and former professor of developmental psychology. We explore what addiction is from a neuroscience perspective, including why Marc does not consider it a disease, despite changes to the brain. We discuss how addiction relates to habit, compulsion, and how these can be understood as functions of the brain and human behaviour. Marc also talks about his own alcohol use and reflections about alcohol as a complex drug - both good and bad. 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/ | |||
| What is Alcohol Use Disorder? Concepts and measurement with Dr Cassie Boness | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:42:05 | |
In this episode we talk to Dr Cassie Boness about the idea of ‘Alcohol Use Disorder’ (AUD) as a widely applied concept in the identification and treatment of alcohol problems. 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/ | |||
| Labelling & language in mental health & alcohol with Dr Lucy Foulkes | 10 Jan 2022 | 00:44:10 | |
In this episode we talk to Dr Lucy Foulkes about labelling and language in the context of mental health and alcohol issues. We discuss how labels like alcoholic or schizophrenia may serve an important role for people to identify or respond to problems, but also carry important implications for stigma and recovery. We explore how there are many similarities between the pros and cons of labelling in mental health and for alcohol issues, but some important differences. 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/ | |||
| The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof. Georg Schomerus | 13 Sep 2025 | 00:53:00 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| Alcohol and older adults with Dr Sarah Wadd & John Slater | 11 Oct 2021 | 01:02:00 | |
In this episode we explore alcohol use and problems amongst older adults. Alcohol problems have been rising in recent decades amongst older drinkers, despite falls in consumption in other age groups. 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/ | |||
| Alcohol risk, guidelines and messaging with Tom Chivers & Colin Angus | 14 Jul 2021 | 01:03:36 | |
In this episode I talk to two guests about the risks of alcohol use and attempts to communicate these via the UK's recommended guidelines of 14 units a week. 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/ | |||
| In conversation with Chelsey Flood | 19 Apr 2021 | 00:49:50 | |
In this episode I talk to Chelsey (CJ) Flood, a novelist, lecturer, and the creator of Beautiful Hangover, a blog/community about alcohol and recovery. 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/ | |||
| Youth drinking in decline with Dr Melissa Oldham | 04 Mar 2021 | 00:35:19 | |
In this episode we talk to Dr Melissa Oldham about why alcohol consumption appears to have fallen amongst children and young people over recent decades. Evidence shows that overall falls in UK consumption have been driven entirely by young people abstaining more frequently from alcohol, and when they do drink drinking less, and less often. However, the reasons for the these falls remain uncertain. For instance what role have changes in parenting, availability, social media and other cultural shifts affecting children and young people had, and what can we learn from this? 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/ | |||
| Lockdown drinkers? COVID-19 and alcohol use | 29 Jan 2021 | 00:56:44 | |
In this episode guests talk about the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol use.
See here for the latest IAS report on alcohol consumption during the pandemic. 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/ | |||
| Alcoholics Anonymous and spirituality in recovery with Dr Wendy Dossett | 22 Dec 2020 | 00:43:27 | |
In this episode we talk to Dr Wendy Dossett, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Chester, about spirituality in recovery. This is discussed in terms of its interpretations through Alcoholics Anonymous as well spirituality in Buddhist-orientated recovery movements. 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/ | |||
| The science of hangovers with Dr Sally Adams | 19 Nov 2020 | 00:32:27 | |
In this episode we talk to Dr Sally Adams, a hangover researcher at the University of Bath's Addiction and Mental Health Group about the science around hangovers! Questions include what hangovers really are, how individuals vary in their hangover symptoms, what really 'works' to treat them and other common hangover myths. 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/ | |||
| Drinkers like us? In conversation with Adrian Chiles | 27 Oct 2020 | 00:34:26 | |
In this episode I talk to journalist and TV broadcaster Adrian Chiles, the man behind the widely applauded 2018 BBC documentary, ‘Drinkers Like Me’. The programme has been credited with prompting a national conversation about alcohol use, and Adrian has continued to explore the subject and is writing a book about how to drink less. I spoke to Adrian about his journey and key questions relating to drinking and moderation. 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/ | |||
| In conversation with Aunee Bhogaita | 29 Jul 2025 | 00:52:48 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| The psychology of alcohol use and addiction with Prof. Roy Baumeister | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:40:43 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| 'Change resistant drinkers'? The blue light approach with Mark Holmes & Mike Ward | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:46:57 | |
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:
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/ | |||
| Culture, politics & drinking with Dr James Nicholls | 10 Jan 2025 | 00:55:38 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| Non-abstinent recovery: examining drinking reductions for public health with Prof Katie Witkiewitz | 01 Aug 2024 | 00:48:23 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| How the alcoholism model evolved: IAS Alert episode with Dr James Morris & Jem Roberts | 24 May 2024 | 00:30:05 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| What is alcohol treatment? With Dr Luke Mitcheson & Dr Mike Kelleher | 08 Apr 2024 | 00:32:28 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: treatment and recovery with Lesley & Dr Ashwin Dhanda | 09 Feb 2026 | 00:38:14 | |
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. 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/ | |||
| Addiction, identity & 'denial' with Professor Hanna Pickard | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:50:37 | |
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 work as a clinical psychologist, 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. 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/ | |||