Stigma Episodes
Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to recovery, perpetuating shame and discouraging people from seeking help. This category addresses the harmful stereotypes and societal judgments that surround addiction and recovery. Through thought-provoking conversations, the podcast explores how language, media, and cultural attitudes shape perceptions of addiction. Personal stories shed light on the lived experience of stigma, while advocacy efforts and actionable strategies aim to foster empathy and create a more inclusive society. By breaking down stigma, these episodes help pave the way for understanding and change.
26
May 12, 2026
Melissa Love: Trauma, Healthcare Stigma and a Nurse’s Journey Into Recovery Services
Melissa Love joins Believe in People to share how working as a nurse in addiction services challenged her own hidden fears, internalised stigma and understanding of dependency. Through personal reflections on her brother’s addiction, family trauma and her father’s rejection, Melissa explores how these experiences reshaped her view of recovery, compassion and what real care looks like. This episode explores addiction recovery, trauma, stigma in healthcare, family dynamics, mental health and the i...
25
April 23, 2026
Secret Drug Addict: Anonymous Recovery, Ego and Breaking Free from Addiction
In this episode of Believe in People, The Secret Drug Addict joins us to discuss anonymous recovery, addiction stigma, and the reality of long-term sobriety. We explore themes of addiction recovery, trauma, peer support, mental health, and the lived experiences that shaped their journey. This conversation challenges assumptions about addiction and visibility. We explore why anonymity can be a form of protection rather than shame, and how removing identity allows the message of recovery to stand ...
18
March 6, 2026
Neil Firbank: Heroin Recovery and The National Recovery Games
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Neil Firbank joins us to discuss heroin addiction recovery and how connection and purpose can transform lives. We explore themes of addiction recovery, trauma, peer support, mental health, and the lived experiences that shaped Neil’s journey - from homelessness, injecting and suicidal thoughts, to treatment, group work, and building what became the National Recovery Games . This episode offers practical insight for people in rec...
16
Feb. 27, 2026
Believe in People EXTRA: Tourette’s - What Tics Really Feel Like
In this episode of Believe in People Extra , Bea Wood joins us to challenge one of the most common myths about Tourette’s - that it is simply about swearing. Bea explains the difference between coprolalia and the more common motor and vocal tics that shape everyday life and the need for constant safety awareness. The conversation explores intrusive thoughts and urges, why suppressing tics can make them worse, and how anxiety and social context can intensify symptoms. We also examine the emotiona...
15
Feb. 25, 2026
Finley Worthington: Ketamine, Bladder Damage & Blood Jelly - Addiction and Education Reform
Finley joins Believe in People to share his lived experience of ketamine addiction and recovery, and how a substance that first felt functional and harmless became physically and psychologically destructive. We explore how early use of cannabis and cocaine progressed into ketamine, why it can feel controlled at first, and how denial allows harm to escalate unnoticed. Finley explains ketamine bladder in clear, practical terms , the impact on family and identity, and the turning point that forced ...
14
Feb. 20, 2026
Believe in People EXTRA: Recovery vs Recovered - Why Identity Still Matters
This episode of Believe in People Extra explores one of the most debated ideas in addiction: being recovered rather than simply in recovery . Young Lee unpacks the difference between cured and recovered, explaining the “twist of the mind” that precedes relapse and why the real powerlessness isn’t the first drink - it’s the thought that comes before it. Using a simple Terminator analogy, he describes how addiction doesn’t say “I might be back” - it says “ I’ll be back .” Young also reflects on be...
9
Jan. 15, 2026
Chiedu Oraka: Drugs, Prison & Fame - From Street Culture to Supporting Coldplay
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Chiedu Oraka, one of the UK’s most distinctive emerging voices in rap, also known as The Black Yorkshireman, joins Matt to discuss dual identity, stigma, and the turning points that reshaped his life. Born and raised on a Hull council estate in a Nigerian household, Chiedu grew up balancing two worlds: cultural expectations at home and the pressure to fit in outside - while carrying the weight of how others perceived him. We ex...
2
Nov. 13, 2025
Taz Hussain: Racism, Culture & Addiction - Recovery as a British-Pakistani Muslim
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , we are privileged to sit down with Taz , whose life story spans racism, identity conflict, culture, trauma, addiction, and the long path to redemption. Born in Britain to Pakistani parents, Taz grew up between cultures – navigating violence, racism, and confusion around faith, masculinity, and belonging. Forced into an arranged marriage, his life spiralled into addiction, offending, and prison before honesty, therapy, and self-...