What is Addiction? What Causes Addiction? A Clinical Psychology Podcast Episode.

Main content starts at 25:25.Episode 400 of The Psychology World Podcast is finally here. I couldn't have done it without you wonderful listeners and readers, and I'm immensely grateful to all of you. I'm really proud that we've made it to this moment. Granted, I have to admit that coming up with the idea for episode 400 was really tough because I didn't want to do another lessons learnt episode from 400 episodes and I didn't want to comment on my psychology journey as I've done that already throughout the past one hundred episodes. Therefore, I decided to focus on a guilty pleasure and a psychology topic that would make me really happy, and I wouldn't think about viewer numbers. As a result in this cognitive psychology podcast, you'll learn about the psychology of music. Including how music impacts our thoughts, feelings and behaviour and so much more. If you've ever wondered about the psychological processes behind our enjoyment of music, then this will be a great episode for you. In the psychology news section, you'll learn how even our dog research is WERID, a new tool to identify those at psychological risk from heatwaves, and how people justify their CEO's excessive salary. LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetCognitive Psychology: A Guide to Neuropsychology, Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/cognitivepsychology Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#music #musicpsychology #musictherapy #musiceducation #cognitivepsychology #cognition #neuropsychology #neuroscience #biopsychology #biologicalpsychology #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Main content starts at 22:15.A lot of people think that they understand what alcoholism or alcohol use disorder is, but they don't. I often hear people joking that their friends and family members are alcoholics because they like to drink. Yet alcohol use disorder is a little more complex than that, and it can ruin lives, destroy relationships and lead to severe physical and mental health consequences. Therefore, in this clinical psychology podcast episode, you'll learn what is alcoholism or alcohol use disorder, what are the causes and symptoms and how is alcohol use disorder treated. If you enjoy learning about addiction, mental health and alcoholism, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn about why is resilience so misunderstood, the fallout of feeling unfairly treated at school, and what does a positive relationship with your hair look like.LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetBiological Psychology- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/biologicalpsychology Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#alcohol #alcoholaddiction #alcoholusedisorder #alcoholproblem #alcoholism #alcoholismawareness #alcoholismtreatment #alcoholismrecovery #alcoholic #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Main content starts at 18:40. As I spoke about in January 2026, I want to apply for the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology and the Doctorate of Educational Psychology this year. I want to do this to progress my own career, I want to familiarise myself with the application process, as well as I want to learn more about my strengths and weaknesses for future applications. Yet the majority of your doctoral application comes down to your ability to write a reflective personal statement. How do you do this? Therefore, in this careers in psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn how to write reflectively for the doctorate personal statement, what needs to be included, what skills you need to show and a bunch of other tips and tricks to help you write a better DClinPsych application. If you enjoy learning about clinical psychology, doctoral applications and more, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn about leisure guilt, what happens when we see the world as fundamentally dangerous, and we tend to underestimate our friends' cynicism. LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetClinical Psychology- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/clinicalpsychology Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#DClinPsych #doctorateofClinicalPsychology #reflectivewriting #reflective #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast

Main content starts at 20:50.Typically when people think of addiction, they imagine someone who can't stop anything. It might be gambling, drugs or something else. Equally, people tend to trivialise addiction by calling someone addicted when they enjoy something like a cup of coffee, so they're "addicted" to caffeine. In reality, there is a lot more to addiction than most people know and addiction can destroy lives. Addiction can ruin families, friendships and relationships. Yet why? Therefore, in this clinical psychology podcast episode, you'll learn what is addiction, what are the signs and symptoms and you'll develop a deeper understanding of what addiction actually is beyond the pop psychology "facts" we hear from the media and friends and family. If you enjoy learning about mental health, addiction and clinical psychology, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you learn about prisoners' interest in restorative justice hinges on how others may see them, how binding elements of a scene might aid recall, and wealthier people put more emphasis on systematic climate strategies than their own footprint.LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetBiological Psychology- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/biologicalpsychology Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#addiction #addictionawareness #addictionsupport #drugaddiction #heroinaddiction #alcoholaddiction #biologicalpsychology #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Main content starts at 28:30.The loss of a loved one is an immense pain that everyone feels at some point in their lives. Hopefully, we experience this as an adult so we have the life experience, the positive memories and the social support network around us to help us deal with this loss. As well as hopefully as an adult, we would have the emotional awareness of how to deal with this loss. Yet a child doesn’t have a lot of these benefits that an adult has. If a child loses a parent or a loved one, then they can feel trapped, alone, isolated and they might not even understand what’s happening. Therefore, in this clinical psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn how to support a child through loss and grief, how best to help them depending on their age and so many more valuable insights. I’ll reflect on the implications for aspiring and qualified educational and clinical psychologists too. If you enjoy learning about mental health, child psychotherapy and loss, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn how growing up becomes less scary over time, why more nuanced research is needed into social media stress, and the graduation cliff-edge facing autistic students.LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetWorking With Children and Young People: A Guide to Mental Health, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/working-with-children-and-young-people Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#loss #grief #childmentalhealth #parentalloss #childgrief #childhoodmentalhealth #grieving #lossandgrief #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Traditionally, we tell aspiring psychologists that if they want to break into the extremely competitive field of clinical psychology, educational psychology or any form of applied psychology then they have to do volunteering. Typically, this involves the aspiring psychologist doing years of unpaid work experience or volunteering to even be able to break into the field and get an interview for a paid job. However, this is bad advice to some extent, because volunteering is all well and good, but not all volunteering is created equal. And some volunteering is actually useless in terms of getting a job. Therefore, in this careers in psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn how to make the most of volunteering experience, how to pick useful volunteering experiences that will help you on your psychology journey and more. If you want to learn more about getting a psychology job, how to stand out to psychology employers and advance your psychology journey, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn you can't punish an AI for wrongdoing but we still want to, do people really believe in conspiracy theories they endorse, and a borderline personality disorder diagnosis may positively shape therapists' expectations.LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetYour Unshakable Self: A Clinical Psychology, Mental Health and Social Psychology Guide to Sense of Self- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/your-unshakable-self Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#psychologycareer #careerinpsychology #psychologystudents #aspiringpsychologist #volunteering #volunteer #psychologists #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Main content starts at 26:04.Whenever you lose a loved one, a child or a friend to suicide loss, it can be one of the hardest things that you ever experience. It can destroy your mental health, make you question everything and you can feel as if you’re losing everything. Your life feels like it’s crumbling around you. As an individual who tried to die by suicide three times in 2024 after the trauma of my rape, I understand this topic from the other side, but I want to understand the impact that it has on the individuals left behind after a successful suicide attempt. And most importantly, as an aspiring educational or clinical psychologist, I want to understand how to better support people coping with suicide loss. Therefore, in this clinical psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn how to cope with suicide loss, how to navigate post-suicide grief and more. I’ll also discuss implications for aspiring and qualified clinicaland educational psychologists too. If you enjoy learning about mental health, suicide and more, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn honest placebos aid memory more than deceptive ones, how parental phubbing may nurture insecure attachment, and motherhood gives workers a performance boost according to a new study.LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetSuicide Psychology- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/suicide-psychology Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#suicideloss #suicide #suicidalideation #suicideawareness #suicideawarenessmonth #suicidesupport #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Main content starts at 20:00.Tourette’s Syndrome is one of those conditions that has gained increased attention over the past few years. Thanks to the great work of campaigners and individuals wanting to raise awareness and ensure that people understand what the condition actually is, compared to the myths and misconceptions. I’ve been meaning to develop my own understanding of the condition for a few years, but I hadn’t got round to it like a lot of people. Yet when John Davidson, the Tourette’s campaigner said something awful because of his Tourette’s at the 2026 Oscars, this cemented my determination to learn about Tourette’s. Therefore, in this clinical psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn what is Tourette’s Syndrome, what are the symptoms, how it’s treated and more. If you enjoy learning about mental health conditions, neurological differences and psychological treatments, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn how overreliance on AI leaves students distressed, the hidden trauma of house clearances, and why do we owe ourselves?LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetCBT For Anxiety: A Clinical Psychology Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/cbt-for-anxiety Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#tourettesyndrome #tourettessyndrome #tourettes #tourettesawareness #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Main content starts at 22:15.Over the past few years, I’ve thankfully noticed that there’s more of a conversation within clinical psychology about postpartum mental health struggles, and this is a good thing. Since it helps us, aspiring and qualified psychologists, to understand how childbirth or adoption can be immensely stressful and harmful to a parent’s mental health. Yet this is more challenging than other mental health difficulties because people who give birth are often silenced by society, stigma and prejudice as I’ve discussed in another podcast episode called “How Does Birth Trauma Burden Mothers?”. In this clinical psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn about postpartum anxiety, what it is, how it’s treated and how we can best support new parents whilst they’re experiencing postpartum anxiety. Also, like always, I’ll explain the implications for educational and clinical psychologists too. If you enjoy learning about mental health, clinical psychology and more, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn how geopolitical events can impact red and yellow card decisions, how match wins can impact sexual desire, and why are dreams so different for people who experience similar life events.LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetCBT For Anxiety: A Clinical Psychology Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/cbt-for-anxiety Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#postpartumanxiety #postpartum #postpartummentalhealth #postpartumwellness #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts

Main content starts at 24:30.As someone with a background in both trauma and special educational needs, selective mutism is nothing new. A fair number of children with special educational needs and trauma backgrounds can develop selective mutism so they become so anxious that they cannot speak. Sometimes their selective mutism is restricted to one particular setting, like as school or in front of a particular person, but it can be generalised too. Also, when I was struggling with the worst effects of my post-traumatic stress disorder after my rape in 2024, there were two occasions when I became so overwhelmed and anxious that I was mute for a few hours. Therefore, in this clinical psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn what is selective mutism, what causes it and how is selective mutism treated. Also, I’ll discuss the practical implications for aspiring and qualified clinical and educational psychologists too. If you enjoy learning about child mental health, psychotherapy and educational psychology, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn about a new framework for identifying unstudied sensory experiences, how forgiving someone can update our memories, whether maximum security prisoners are better lie detectors.LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetCBT For Anxiety- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/cbt-for-anxiety Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#selectivemutism #mutism #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealth #clinicalmentalhealth #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts