Say Why To Drugs

Talking with your family about drugs - Live at Latitude 2021 Dec 09, 2021

A live episode! In front of a lovely crowd at the awesome Latitude Festival, back in July 2021. Suzi Gage headed to Suffolk and was joined by previous SWTD guest Fiona Spargo-Mabbs. Their discussion covered all aspects of how to talk with your family about drugs - what age should discussions happen? How do teens want these conversations to happen? How honest should parents be about their experience, or lack of it, with drugs?

Fiona Spargo-Mabbs is the founder of the DSM Foundation, and has recently published a fantastic and powerful book called I Wish I'd Known, about her son Dan's death after taking MDMA, and all the things she wishes she - and Dan - had been aware of, in terms of evidence-based information about substances, why teenagers behave the ways that they do, along with advice about how to navigate conversations.

https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/more-information-for-parents/i-wish-id-known-fionas-book/

And here is the previous episode she appeared on:

https://play.acast.com/s/saywhytodrugs/drugeducation-withthedsmfoundation

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Spiking - with Dr Lata Gautam Nov 25, 2021

There have been many reports about drink spiking in recent weeks and months. Suzi is joined by Dr Lata Gautam from Anglia Ruskin University to talk about what we mean by drink spiking, what substances are thought to be used, and what a person might experience if their drink is spiked. Lata also describes some of her work exploring what people understand about spiking, and what can be done to try and prevent it from occurring.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-58994755

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqLAAtWw3TQ

https://theconversation.com/drink-spiking-why-so-little-is-still-known-about-this-horrifying-trend-170421

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Maternal Drinking Nov 11, 2021

Say Why to Drugs is back, as Suzi emerges bleary eyed from the first year of being a mum, what better time to talk about alcohol use and motherhood? Well, it's even better than that as it's Baby Week AND alcohol awareness week from 15th November. Suzi is joined by Abi Rose and Leila Goodman to talk about alcohol use in mums, the evidence and our own experiences. Why it might be appealing, what the risks are, why it's hard to do research in this area.

As mentioned in the podcast, on 18th Abi is running an interactive workshop, and you can sign up for it here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/why-women-drink-tickets-186057381637

Here are some other links that might be useful too:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk

https://alcoholchange.org.uk

https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

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Drugs and Sex - recorded live at Vault Festival Nov 19, 2020

A live episode recorded earlier in the year in London at Vault Festival, in association with Child.org. Suzi speaks to Alex Aldridge. Alex is a Phd student at Royal Holloway, researching sex, drugs and sexual ethics. The conversation touches on various aspects around drug use during or around sex, including chemsex, issues of consent, and in particular around how women use drugs with sex, an often overlooked area of research.

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Drug regulation - with Transform Nov 05, 2020

In this episode Suzi talks to James Nicholls, the CEO of an organisation called Transform, who are a think-tank working in drug policy reform. The conversation covers what is meant by various different types of drug policy, from regulation to decriminalisation to legalisation, as well as discussing what evidence-based drug policy might look like, both in terms of cannabis and stimulants, both of which have been the subject of publications by Transform. This is a new topic for Say Why to Drugs to cover, so if you have thoughts or questions please get in touch!

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Alcohol in pregnancy Oct 21, 2020

We're back (briefly)!! In the first episode of a new little run, Suzi speaks to epidemiologists Dr Kate Fleming and Dr Luisa Zuccolo about what we know about the evidence around the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. How do they compare to other things women are advised against doing, like smoking, or eating soft cheese? Why does alcohol seem to be so divisive an issue in pregnancy? We also talk about plans to keep better records about alcohol use in pregnancy, and how this got somewhat misreported in the media in recent weeks.

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The Secret Drug Addict Mar 05, 2020

In this episode Suzi speaks to the Secret Drug Addict - a twitter and instagram user who VICE called 'twitter's most helpful anonymous account'. SDA is incredibly open in this conversation, talking about when he first started using drugs, how they impacted on his life, relationships and work, and what led him to seek help.

He also talks about his work with footballer Neville Southall, promoting good causes and charities on twitter, and his own Secret Drug Addict account on twitter and instagram.

A few trigger warnings for this episode, the conversation as you might imagine covers drug use and contains swearing, it also covers topics including psychosis and witnessing someone die after taking drugs.

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Drug Education - with The DSM Foundation Feb 20, 2020

In this episode Dr Suzi Gage is joined by Fiona Spargo-Mabbs and Sarah Birkett from the DSM Foundation. Fiona and her husband set up the foundation after their son Dan died after taking MDMA. Fiona talks a bit about this, but you can read more on the DSM Foundation's website here http://dsmfoundation.org.uk/dans-story/.

Within this episode, Suzi chats with Fiona and Sarah about the foundation and the work that it does, as well as the evidence around what works, and what doesn't, in terms of drug education. The foundation's work includes providing material and training to schools, working directly with young people who can be ambassadors to their peers, and even has been involved with creating a verbatim play based on the testimony of Dan's family and friends in the weeks and months after his death.

Below are some useful links that Fiona has shared with me, some of which are discussed in the episode.

Drugfam https://www.drugfam.co.uk/ and helpline 0300 8883853

Adfam https://adfam.org.uk/

Frank parents' page https://www.talktofrank.com/get-help/worried-about-a-child

Alcohol Education Trust parents' page https://alcoholeducationtrust.org/parent-area/

Young Minds parents' page https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/ and helpline for parents 0808 8025544

Teen Tips https://www.teentips.co.uk/

Festivalsafe https://www.festivalsafe.com/

And then additional sites we also refer young people to -

Drugscience https://drugscience.org.uk/

Drugsand.me https://www.drugsand.me/en/

The Mix https://www.themix.org.uk/

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Say Why To Drugs Book Launch Feb 06, 2020

This episode was recorded live at the Say Why to Drugs book launch at Foyles bookshop, in Bristol, on 24th January 2020. Suzi is in conversation with James Nicholls, the CEO of Transform.

Some links:

My website (for news and events info): https://suzigage.co.uk/events-and-talks/

Amazon link to buy the book (other bookshops are available): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Say-Why-Drugs-Everything-About/dp/1473686229

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Say Why To Drugs - The Book! Jan 23, 2020

Happy book-day to me! Happy book-day to me! Happy birthday to Say Why To Drugs the booook, Happy book-day to me!

Luckily for you I decided against singing that in the intro to this episode, but I'm VERY excited to say that today is the day that Say Why to Drugs the book launches in the UK, and online. It's taken me the last 2 years to write, and so it's such a weird and lovely feeling for it to be finally available for you to read.

Or to listen to! I've recorded the audiobook, which is also released today, and the lovely people at Hodder and Stoughton have said I can share a few excerpts with you all! So we have an amazing Foreword written by none other than Scroobius PIp - he goes in to detail about how the podcast came to be, how he and I ended up working together on it, and generally being very lovely and flattering and supportive, thanks Pip. The book also has a load of mini chapters about various concepts surrounding drugs and their use - the next excerpt is one of these, about comedowns. And finally the myths and misconceptions from the 'caffeine' chapter.

I hope you enjoy it. If you want to buy the book, it's available from a variety of places. Here are some links:

Hardback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Say-Why-Drugs-Everything-About/dp/1473686229

or https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781473686229?gC=5a105e8b&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_L_l6aCY5wIVx7TtCh0yvwv6EAQYAiABEgIy8vD_BwE

or https://www.waterstones.com/book/say-why-to-drugs/suzi-gage//9781473686229?awaid=3787&utm_source=redbrain&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=css&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgPqK9qCY5wIVQ7DtCh2YBgQBEAkYAiABEgKP7vD_BwE&awc=3787_1579732178_601424271edcbb00ab5febda79552abb

Audiobook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Say-Why-Drugs-Everything-About/dp/B07YSR2TTT/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Kindle edition: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Say-Why-Drugs-Everything-About-ebook/dp/B07BWP4FBQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

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Drugs and Music, live at Smithdown Road festival Jul 31, 2019

Recorded earlier this year at Smithdown Road Festival, a free music festival in South Liverpool, this episode sees Suzi chat to a panel of guests about the links between drug use and music. Dr Sally Adams joins the podcast again, Professor Harry Sumnall from Liverpool John Moores University guests, as well as Chris Torpey, the editor of local magazine Bido Lito and an organiser of Liverpool Psych Fest, and Guy McKnight, the singer in 00's band 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster, and now in band the DSM-IV. The conversation covers whether music and drugs are cultural essentials, why musicians might be particularly at risk of problematic substance use, how music is used to sell legal drugs, whether drugs impact on creativity, and takes questions from the audience.

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Drugs and Music, with Adam Ficek Jul 17, 2019

Adam Ficek is probably best known as the drummer in Pete Docherty's post-Libertines band Babyshambles. But as well as a very successful music career, he's also a trained psychotherapist, and about to embark on a PhD. Adam and Suzi have a wide-ranging discussion in this episode of Say Why to Drugs, that takes in why Adam wanted to become first a musician, then a psychotherapist, whether musicians might be particularly at risk of developing poor mental health or substance use problems, and why that might be. Find Adam on twitter and instagram @musicandminduk

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CBD, with Dr Amir Englund Jul 03, 2019

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound found in cannabis. In recent times it's began to be found on our high streets, available in everything from coffee to ice-cream to vape liquid. It's also been touted as a medication to treat a variety of health ailments, from childhood epilepsy to insomnia. In this episode Suzi is joined by researcher Dr Amir Englund from Kings College London to separate myth from evidence around what CBD is, and what it can, and can't do.

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Kratom, with Dr Oliver Grundmann Jun 19, 2019

Suzi Gage is joined by researcher Dr Oliver Grundmann, from the University of Florida, to talk about kratom - a leaf from the plant Mitragyna speciosa that grows in SE Asia. Is it an opioid? Or could it be useful in harm reduction? And what do we currently know about it? Find out within.

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Mescaline, with Mike Jay Jun 05, 2019

Say Why to Drugs returns! In this episode Suzi chats to author Mike Jay about mescaline, arguably the first psychedelic.Jay details the dual history of the substance - found in two types of cacti in central and south America, as well as being extracted and used in psychiatry in the USA and Europe. Jay has just written a book called Mescaline, and tells us about his research and findings that went in to the book.

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Ask me anything! #2 Jan 31, 2019

Researcher Suzi Gage answers a second set of questions that listeners have sent in - topics covered range from discussion of legislation - and how scientists can get involved, favourite research findings (and over-egged ones), and expectation effects.

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Ask me anything! #1 Jan 17, 2019

Researcher Suzi Gage answers questions that listeners have sent in - topics covered range from whether the podcasts are aimed at teenagers to whether legislation impacts on the ability for scientists to carry out research in to illicit drugs, and from psychedelic therapy to the mushroom Fly Agaric.

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E-Cigarettes - UPDATED, with Professor Linda Bauld Jan 03, 2019

Suzi chats to Professor Linda Bauld from the University of Edinburgh about e-cigarettes and vaping. Linda provides an update on what's changed in the last 2 years since the first E-Cigarettes episode - in terms of who's using them, whether they are helping in smoking quit attempts, and what some of the new products on the market are like. Suzi and Linda also discuss nicotine itself, and the evidence as to whether or not it's harmful. They also touch on some of the reasons why the USA and the UK have such different policy attitudes towards vaping, and what some of the implications of this might be.

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Women and addiction, with Jenny Valentish Dec 20, 2018

Dr Suzi Gage chats to journalist and author Jenny Valentish about her book Woman of Substances. The conversation covers Jenny's own experiences, and how she tackled the scientific literature while researching her book.

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How do drugs affect the brain? LIVE with Dr Carl Roberts Dec 06, 2018

After quite a hiatus, SWTD returns. This live episode was recorded in front of an audience of University of Liverpool Psychology students. Suzi is joined by Dr Carl Roberts to discuss all things about how drugs affect the brain, and how we as researchers investigate this.

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Dry January Jan 18, 2018

Suzi Gage speaks to her colleague Professor Matt Field about the phenomenon of Dry January, where people give up alcohol for a month. They talk about whether there may be short- or long-term health benefits around it, and discuss their personal experiences of taking part (or not).

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Psychedelics at the SSA. Part 3 - Prof. Celia Morgan Dec 14, 2017

Here's the third and final installment of interviews recorded at the Society for the Study of Addiction conference in Newcastle earlier this year. In this episode I interview Professor Celia Morgan from Exeter University. We talk about Celia's work investigating the use of ketamine within therapy for alcohol dependence.

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Psychedelics at the SSA. Part 2 - Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu Nov 30, 2017

The second of three podcasts recorded at the Society of the Study of Addiction conference, all on the theme of psychedelic medicine. In this episode Suzi speaks to Dr Albert Garcia-Romeu of Johns Hopkins University about his work using psilocybin, from magic mushrooms, in therapies for substance dependence and mood disorders.

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Cognitive Enhancers Jul 26, 2017

In this bonus episode Suzi is joined by Dr Carl Roberts, a psychopharmacologist from the University of Liverpool, to chat about cognitive enhancers. Who's using them? Do they work? What do we know about them?

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Sugar Jun 28, 2017

Dr Suzi Gage is joined by Dr Charlotte Hardman from the University of Liverpool - an expert on nutrition, to talk about sugar. Is it a drug? It's essential to life but do we eat too much of it?

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Addiction Jun 14, 2017

Welcome back to Say Why to Drugs! In this special episode Suzi speaks to Professor Sir John Strang, head of the Addictions group at Kings College London, about the concept of addiction.

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Prescription Opioids Apr 19, 2017

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip discuss prescription opioid pain medication, its potential for abuse, and why this might differ between countries.

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DMT Apr 05, 2017

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip chat about DMT - a psychedelic that has been used ritualistically for hundreds of years, which has a mystical and intriguing reputation.

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PCP Mar 23, 2017

Scroobius Pip talks with Dr Suzi Gage about PCP - a drug that has in the past had a lot of media attention due to its purported extreme effects. But what's the evidence?

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Salvia Mar 09, 2017

Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip talk about salvia, and unusual dissociative psychedelic that has short lasting but quite extreme psychedelic effects.

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Benzodiazepines Feb 23, 2017

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip chat about a group of synthetic medications called benzodiazepines.

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Hangovers Feb 09, 2017

A special episode of Say Why to Drugs, where Dr Suzi Gage talks to hangover researcher Dr Sally Adams from the University of Bath about why we feel so wretched the day after a heavy drinking session, and what it's like to try and research in this area.

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E-Cigarettes Jan 26, 2017

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip chat about e-cigarettes - the scientific evidence around them, and why it might be that they've been so divisive in the academic community. For further reading listen via the Acast app where links will pop up at relevant moments!

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Khat Jan 12, 2017

After a short festive (and moving house) break, Say Why to Drugs is back. Suzi and Scroobius Pip chat about khat, a leaf that's chewed to give a mild stimulant effect

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Poppers Dec 08, 2016

Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip discuss poppers, also known as alkyl nitrites, in this episode. And Suzi explains why it's a week late (sorry!)

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Amphetamines Nov 17, 2016

Scroobius PIp and Dr Suzi Gage discuss amphetamines, their harms and potential benefits, and the myths surrounding them.

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Heroin Nov 03, 2016

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip discuss heroin and the evidence surrounding its effects in this episode of Say Why to Drugs

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Caffeine Oct 19, 2016

Episode 11 is a return to the usual format. Scroobius Pip and Dr Suzi Gage sit down and chat caffeine. As well as this, Suzi has some exciting news in the intro.

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Bristol Drugs Project Oct 05, 2016

A bonus episode where Dr Suzi Gage meets with Lydia Davenport and Professor Graeme Henderson, who are involved with Bristol Drugs Project.

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Synthetic Cathinones Sep 21, 2016

Scroobius Pip and Suzi discuss drugs including mephedrone - formerly known as legal highs, these fall under the category of synthetic cathinones.

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Synthetic Cannabinoids Sep 07, 2016

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip chat about synthetic cannabinoids - substances such as Spice, in this episode.

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Nitrous Oxide Aug 24, 2016

Suzi and Scroobius Pip chat about nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, or hippy crack.

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Cocaine Aug 10, 2016

Suzi and Scroobius Pip talk about cocaine in this episode - a substance that can be taken in a number of different forms, and has quite different effects depending how its consumed.

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Psychedelics Jul 27, 2016

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip discuss psychedelics, including LSD, magic mushrooms and DMT. The risks of taking them, but also potential medical benefits currently being investigated. As well as discussing myths surrounding psychedelics.

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Ketamine Jul 13, 2016

In episode 5, Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip chat about ketamine. It can be harmful if used frequently, but it's also an extremely useful medication, used all over the world.

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MDMA Jun 29, 2016

In this episode Scroobius Pip and I talk about Ecstasy or MDMA. We talk about the risks, the myths, and some really cool research in to some potential benefits.

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Alcohol Jun 15, 2016

Dr Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip discuss booze on this episode, the drug of choice in the UK and elsewhere. Although its legal, and often barely considered as a drug, it's by no means a safe substance.

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Tobacco Jun 02, 2016

In episode two of Say Why to Drugs, Suzi and Scroobius Pip chat about tobacco - the effects of it, what harms there are from using it, whether it might have any benefits, and whether many of the myths surrounding it are based in evidence.

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cannabis May 19, 2016

In the first episode of Say Why to Drugs, Suzi and Scroobius Pip chat about cannabis - the effects of it, what harms there might be from using it, whether it might have any benefits, and whether many of the myths surrounding it are based in evidence.

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Trailer May 16, 2016

Say Why to Drugs launches this Thursday 19th May. It's a series of podcasts where Dr Suzi Gage discusses the harms of different recreational drugs, but also whether they might have potential medical benefits, as well as busting myths that surround these substances. The first episode launches on Thursday, and will be about cannabis. Suzi is in conversation with rapper and podcaster Scroobius Pip.

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