Addiction
How we get addicted, and why stopping is so hard
Addiction is complicated. Judith Grisel knows that too well. She started drinking and taking drugs at 13 and is now 30 years sober and a neuroscientist who studies addiction and the brain. Audio
Dr Gregory Smith: from homeless alcoholic to grateful academic
University lecturer Gregory Smith details his sad childhood and his incredible tale of living in the bush in the book Out of the Forest. He talks to Jim Mora about how he dramatically turned his life… Audio
'The public doesn't want mental health ... to be a political football'
Politicians have been told pressures on the mental health system are not sustainable and demand is overwhelming.
America's great opioid addiction
Author Chris McGreal talks about the USA's opioid drug epidemic and the systems that allowed it to happen in his book American Overdose: the Opioid Tragedy in Three Acts. Audio
Weighing up approaches to decriminalising drugs
While Portugal's approach to decriminalising drugs may have worked, New Zealand faces a very different set of circumstances, an academic says. Video, Audio
Report paints grim picture of state of mental health and addiction in NZ
The Health Minister is promising there will be big change in the mental health sector, on the back of the release of the 200-page mental health inquiry. But David Clark wasn't prepared to commit today… Audio
Mental health system under-resourced, under pressure, unsustainable - report
Our current mental health system ..is "under-resourced", "under pressure" and "unsustainable" according to a report released today by Mental Health & Addiction inquiry. And we can't medicate or treat… Video, Audio
Valerie Mason-John: from orphan to inspiration
Valerie Mason-John had the odds stacked against her from the moment her mother abandoned her as an infant. Her upbringing in foster homes and orphanages lead to a life of addiction, crime, eating… Audio
Kyle MacDonald: why Johann Hari touches nerves
Johann Hari has had his share of criticism - those who say he's basically told people with depression to throw away their medication. But is that really what he's done? Local psychotherapist Kyle… Audio
Johann Hari: 'we need to deal with why we're in such pain'
Journalist and author Johann Hari says there's no silver bullet for rehabilitating an addict, but there's a wealth of evidence to suggest good old-fashioned human connection and a reason to get out of… Audio
Silos and sexism: addiction services and mental health
Despite addiction often being tied up with other mental health problems, treatment tends to be separate and siloed - and aimed primarily at men - author, journalist and former addict Jenny Valentish… Audio
Parents' worse nightmare: a child's meth addiction
Two different sides of the same story: overcoming a meth addiction, from the real life perspectives of a Hawke's Bay mother and daughter. Valeria Tokoar has written a memoir called Rehabilitated… Audio
Over half of antidepressant users suffer withdrawal - study
A survey of 1800 people prescribed antidepressants has found only a handful were warned by doctors about the medication's potential withdrawal or addiction side-effects.
Mental health and addiction inquiry begins
A government inquiry has started asking New Zealanders for their thoughts on how to help the increasing number of people suffering mental health and addiction problems. Public consultation for the… Audio
Could gambling be treated with a nasal spray?
Finnish researchers are studying whether a fast acting nasal spray be used by gamblers to kick their addiction. The spray contains naloxone, which is usually used in the emergency treatment of opiate… Audio
Austin Eubanks - Surviving trauma after Columbine
Watching students flee from a gunman at their school in Florida last week brought back painful memories for Austin Eubanks. Eubanks hid under a table in the school library in 1999 as two students… Audio
Govt names head of mental health inquiry
A ministerial inquiry into mental health and addiction is not about tinkering, as significant change is needed in the sector, Health Minister David Clark says. Video, Audio
Addiction service looking for employers to hire trainees
Laura Tupou talks to two people who have completed the programme and thanks to the skills they learned are now enrolled to study this year. Audio
Urgent need to increase addiction services - Health Minister
Addiction services are under-funded and more treatment facilities are urgently needed, Minister of Health David Clark says. Video, Audio
Govt needs to ban pokies in poor areas - Lance O'Sullivan
Doctor Lance O'Sullivan, who was named New Zealander of the Year in 2014, says pokie machines are one preventable cause of poverty in his Northland community, and is calling for them to be banned. Video, Audio