Addiction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Addiction services are under-funded and more treatment facilities are urgently needed, Minister of Health David Clark says. Video, Audio

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

Jenny Valentish has brought the experience of her own wild, alcohol and drug-fuelled past, and her sober, contemplative present to examine the experience of substance abuse in women and girls. Her… Audio

Poorna Bell is an award-winning journalist who works as executive editor for The Huffington Post UK - the UK's third most-read digital website. Bell has also previously written for The Guardian, The… Audio

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today launched a new free 24-7 phone and text number for people to connect to mental health and addiction professionals. But is the Government doing enough? Video, Audio

In the second episode of Flying Solo, Lynda Chanwai-Earle meets one of the minorities, Pakeha solo dad Warren. He tackles - with humour - co-parenting through two separations, a child with depression… Audio, Gallery

Alcohol and off-field problems have plagued Zac Guildford's career, culiminating with the New South Wales Waratahs terminating his Super rugby contract last year. Audio