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Addiction Talks and TED Talks on YouTube

Discover Addiction Talks for Healing and Insight

Welcome to AddictionTube’s curated collection of TED Talks and YouTube videos on addiction and recovery, designed to educate, inspire, and support your journey to sobriety. These powerful talks by speakers like Russell Brand, Scott McFadden, Johann Hari, and others offer unique perspectives on addiction, recovery, stigma, and hope. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or seeking to understand substance use, these videos provide valuable insights.

Our collection includes a variety of topics, from personal recovery stories and neuroscience to harm reduction and the impact of trauma. Each talk is selected to resonate with those affected by addiction, offering motivation and knowledge. Explore videos like “The 12 Steps According to Russell Brand” or “Addiction: A Story of Stigma, A Story of Hope” by Scott McFadden to find inspiration and understanding.

At AddictionTube, we believe in the power of knowledge and storytelling to transform lives. These talks are more than lectures—they’re stories of resilience, science, and hope. For additional support, explore Canadian resources like Health Canada’s Substance Use Support or CCSA, or visit SAMHSA for international support.

Why Choose Our Addiction Talks Collection?

Our curated TED Talks and YouTube videos provide emotional, scientific, and motivational insights for Canadians and beyond. From personal stories like Tara Conner’s “Recover Out Loud” to scientific discussions like “Addiction Neuroscience 101,” these videos address the complexities of addiction and recovery. For local support, Canadians can access resources like ConnexOntario for addiction services. Dive into our collection below to find talks that speak to your journey.

The 12 Steps According to Russell Brand

Russell Brand’s 10-minute humorous and honest interpretation of the 12 Steps, offering insights into addiction recovery.

Addiction: A Story of Stigma, A Story of Hope | Scott McFadden

Scott McFadden, a Licensed Addictions Counselor, shares an 18-minute story of incarceration, recovery from heroin, and overcoming stigma.

Addiction Neuroscience 101

A 25-minute overview of the neurobiology of addiction, providing scientific insights into substance use disorders.

Chris Herren Speaking on His Addiction Recovery Story

Former basketball player Chris Herren delivers a 17-minute motivational speech about his journey to sobriety since 2008.

Disconnected Brains: How Isolation Fuels Opioid Addiction | Rachel Wurzman

Rachel Wurzman’s 19-minute talk explores how isolation fuels opioid addiction, emphasizing social factors in recovery.

Do You Have More Heart Than Scars? | Zackary Paben

Zackary Paben’s 17-minute talk on resilience and interdependence, empowering healing from addiction’s scars.

Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong | Johann Hari

Johann Hari’s 15-minute talk challenges addiction myths, suggesting social and environmental solutions, ideal for discussion.

Great Leaders Do What Drug Addicts Do | Michael Brody-Waite

Michael Brody-Waite, an entrepreneur in recovery, shares a 19-minute story of addiction, homelessness, and leadership principles.

The Harm Reduction Model of Drug Addiction Treatment | Mark Tyndall

Mark Tyndall’s 17-minute talk on harm reduction, like safe-injection sites, to address the drug overdose crisis.

How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris’ 16-minute talk on how childhood trauma, including parental substance abuse, impacts lifelong health.

Let’s Quit Abusing Drug Users | Carl Hart

Dr. Carl Hart’s 19-minute talk on drug use, poverty, and social injustice, advocating for policy reform.

The Merits of Harm Reduction | Melissa Byers

Melissa Byers’ 14-minute talk shares her family’s story of addiction and the role of harm reduction in recovery.

Nuggets

A 5-minute cartoon of a kiwi bird tasting a “nugget,” delivering a hauntingly accurate message about addiction.

The Power of Addiction and The Addiction of Power | Gabor Maté

Gabor Maté’s 19-minute talk on addiction, drawing from his expertise in terminal illnesses and substance use.

Recover Out Loud | Tara Conner

Former Miss USA Tara Conner’s 10-minute talk on her 10-year sobriety journey and rethinking addiction responses.

Revitalize | Living With Addiction | Amber Valletta

Supermodel Amber Valletta’s 16-minute talk on her daily struggle with addiction, offering inspiration for recovery.

Rewriting the Story of My Addiction | Jo Harvey Weatherford

Jo Harvey Weatherford’s 10-minute talk on rewriting her story of alcohol addiction through prevention programs.

The Stigma of Addiction | Tony Hoffman

Tony Hoffman’s 15-minute talk on his journey from drug addiction and homelessness to redemption, addressing stigma.

The Island of Sanity: Navigating Through Loved Ones’ Addictions | Karen Perlmutter

Karen Perlmutter’s 13-minute talk for families, offering strategies to support loved ones with addiction.

Addiction is a Disease. We Should Treat it Like One | Michael Botticelli

Michael Botticelli’s 13-minute talk on treating addiction as a medical condition, not a moral failing, to improve recovery outcomes.

Tools for Overcoming Substance & Behavioral Addictions | Ryan Soave

Ryan Soave, LMHC, shares actionable tools for breaking the addictive cycle, addressing trauma, and building distress tolerance through yoga nidra, breathwork, meditation, and prayer, with insights on recognizing addiction and treatment options.

Essentials: Understanding & Treating Addiction | Dr. Anna Lembke

Dr. Anna Lembke discusses dopamine’s role in addiction, the pleasure-pain balance, challenges of recovery including withdrawal and relapses, and the potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Addiction Recovery Talks Playlist

Explore the Addiction Recovery Talks playlist (2023) on AddictionTube, featuring powerful TED Talks and YouTube videos on addiction and recovery.

The Power of Addiction and The Addiction of Power | Gabor Maté (TEDxRio+20)

Gabor Maté explores addiction as a response to pain and disconnection.

How Childhood Trauma Leads to Addiction | Gabor Maté

Maté links early trauma to later addictive behaviors.

Is Addiction a Choice? | Big Questions with Gabor Maté

A candid Q&A on responsibility, trauma, and treatment.

Hooked: Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma & Addiction (Full Interview)

Long-form interview on trauma, attachment, and recovery.

The Psychology of Addiction | With Dr. Gabor Maté

What addiction is and what it is not.

What's the #1 Way to Recover from Addiction? | Dr. Gabor Maté

Maté highlights connection as a recovery cornerstone.

Addiction Is NOT a Choice | Dr. Gabor Maté (Rollback)

Challenging stigma and the blame narrative.

JRE #1869 — Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma, Addiction & Healing

Wide-ranging discussion of trauma and recovery.

The Myth of Normal & The Power of Connection | Dr. Gabor Maté

On health, culture, and the roots of addiction.

The Link Between Trauma & Addiction | Dr. Gabor Maté

Why unresolved pain drives compulsive behavior.

Understanding & Treating Addiction | Dr. Anna Lembke (Huberman Lab)

Mechanisms of addiction and practical tools for recovery.

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence | Dr. Anna Lembke

Pleasure–pain balance and modern compulsions.

Dopamine Nation & the Neuroscience of Addiction | Dr. Anna Lembke

Neuroscience insights applied to daily habits.

Dopamine, Mental Illness, Addiction & Breaking Bad Habits | Dr. Anna Lembke

Clinical strategies to interrupt compulsive cycles.

Dopamine: The Hidden Driver of Mental Health | Dr. Anna Lembke

How dopamine dynamics shape behavior.

Talks at Google: Dopamine Nation | Dr. Anna Lembke

Book talk with Q&A on tech and addiction.

The Neuroscience of Addiction | Dr. Anna Lembke

From brain circuits to clinic.

Helping Someone with Addiction & Treatment Options | Dr. Anna Lembke

Guidance for families and caregivers.

How to Find Balance in the Age of Indulgence | Dr. Anna Lembke

Five ideas for restoring reward balance.

The Ultimate Guide to Treat Addiction | Dr. Anna Lembke

Protocols for clinicians and patients.

Dr. Nora Volkow Explains the Science of Addiction

Accessible tour of addiction neurobiology.

The Emerging Science of Addictions | Nora Volkow

Latest findings from imaging and clinical trials.

Inside the Addicted Human Brain | Nora Volkow

A pioneer’s perspective on brain changes in addiction.

Why Do Our Brains Get Addicted? | Nora Volkow

NIDA director explains vulnerability and resilience.

Teens and Drug Addiction | Nora Volkow, M.D.

Youth brain development and risk.

A Disease of Free Will | Nora Volkow (The Open Mind)

Addiction, autonomy, and treatment ethics.

The Brain's Addiction | Nora Volkow (The Moth)

A story-driven talk on curiosity and science.

Interview with Nora Volkow: Misconceptions & Pain Treatment

How myths impede care.

1-on-1 with Nora Volkow, NIDA Director

Wide-ranging interview on addiction policy and science.

Dr. Nora Volkow on Stigma and Addiction

Addressing stigma’s impact on outcomes.

Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong | Johann Hari (TED)

A provocative reframing of addiction.

How Society Keeps People Addicted | Johann Hari

On environment, policy, and connection.

The Opposite of Addiction is Connection | Johann Hari

The core thesis behind recovery.

What Causes Addiction & Depression | Johann Hari (Rich Roll Podcast)

Long-form interview on causes and cures.

Joe Rogan Experience #1077 | Johann Hari on Addiction & Connection

Candid conversation on attention, drugs, and community.

Escaping a Lifetime of Addiction | Russell Brand (Diary of a CEO)

Brand on recovery, meaning, and love.

Getting Honest About Addiction | Russell Brand (Commune)

Grounded strategies for early recovery.

Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions | Russell Brand (TODAY Interview)

Mainstream discussion of recovery tools.

Joe Rogan Experience #1283 | Russell Brand

Addiction, hedonism, and responsibility.

First Three Steps to Get Sober | Russell Brand

Step-based guidance for beginners.

The Stigma of Addiction | Tony Hoffman (TEDxFresnoState)

From incarceration to advocacy.

Sanctified: The Tony Hoffman Story

A powerful recovery narrative.

The Choice: Drug Abuse Story | Tony Hoffman

Choices, consequences, and change.

Tony Hoffman Speech at Salisbury University (2016)

Inspiring campus keynote on addiction.

From Opioid & Meth Addiction to Spirituality | Tony Hoffman

From despair to service.

The Science of Psilocybin & Relieving Suffering | Roland Griffiths (TEDx)

Therapeutic potential of psilocybin.

The Future of Addiction Treatment? | Dr. Matthew Johnson

Psychedelics as adjuncts to care.

Psychedelics for Treating Mental Disorders | Dr. Matthew Johnson (Huberman Lab)

Evidence, risks, and protocols.

Psilocybin, Love & Meaning | Mary Cosimano (Johns Hopkins)

Therapeutic support and integration.

More Than A Trip: Psychedelics to Help Addiction (NBC)

News report on emerging therapies.

Overcome Craving & Addiction with Mindfulness | Dr Judson Brewer

Judson Brewer explains how mindfulness interrupts craving loops and supports lasting behavior change.

A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit | Judson Brewer | TED

A concise framework for breaking bad habits using awareness and curiosity instead of willpower.

You're Already Awesome. Just Get Out of Your Own Way! | Judson Brewer (TEDx)

Brewer shares mindset shifts for anxiety and habit change that apply directly to addiction recovery.

The Craving Mind | Dr. Judson Brewer

How reward-based learning drives addiction and how mindful attention helps unwind it.

Overcoming the Craving Mind | Judson Brewer

Stories and tools for working with cravings using curiosity and non‑judgmental awareness.

Let's quit abusing drug users | Carl Hart

Carl Hart argues for evidence‑based drug policy and challenges myths that harm people who use drugs.

Dr. Carl Hart Debunks Drug Myths | WIRED

Rapid‑fire myth‑busting on drugs, dependence, and the gap between science and policy.

Heroin, Cocaine, MDMA, Alcohol & the Role of Drugs in Society | Lex Fridman #233

A long‑form discussion on drugs, addiction, and adult autonomy through a scientific lens.

HIGH PRICE: A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery | Talks at Google

Hart reflects on science, stigma, and what his research really says about drugs and addiction.

Why Addiction is a Learning Disorder & Why It Matters | Maia Szalavitz

Why seeing addiction as a learning disorder changes treatment, policy, and outcomes.

The Dos and Don'ts of Helping a Drug Addict Recover | Maia Szalavitz

Practical advice for families and supporters grounded in harm‑reduction and compassion.

SMART Recovery Podcast with Maia Szalavitz

A conversation about recovery models, language, and changing the narrative on addiction.

Undoing Drugs: Harm Reduction & Recovery | Maia Szalavitz

Szalavitz traces the history of harm reduction and its impact on lives and communities.

Pathways to Recovery | John F. Kelly, PhD

Language, recovery support systems, and what science says about sustained remission.

NEJM Interview: John Kelly on shifts in addiction approaches

Key trends in treatment and recovery research from the Recovery Research Institute.

The New Science on Addiction Recovery | John Kelly

Evidence on effective pathways of change and why multiple routes to recovery matter.

National Recovery Study: Multiple Pathways | John Kelly

Prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes among U.S. adults resolving substance problems.

Discussing Alcohol Addiction | George Koob (NIAAA Director)

Koob outlines alcohol use disorder, stress systems, and implications for treatment.

Addiction Policy Forum Keynote | George Koob

An overview of addiction neurobiology and policy from the head of NIAAA.

Neural Circuitry & the Dark Side of Addiction | George Koob

How negative reinforcement and hyperkatifeia sustain addiction cycles.

Negative Reinforcement Mechanisms in Drug Addiction | Stanford

Deep dive on stress systems and the ‘dark side’ of addiction with Koob at Stanford.

How can illegal drugs help our brains? | David Nutt

Nutt reviews evidence on psychedelics and reframing drug harms through science.

'Not all in the mind' public lecture | Prof David Nutt

Insights on drug effects, risks, and rational policy from a leading neuropsychopharmacologist.

Alcohol: The Ultimate Psychopharmacological Drug? | David Nutt

A sober look at alcohol’s pharmacology, dependence, and health burden.

Stanton Peele on Addiction

Peele argues addiction is a life problem—context, purpose, and choice matter.

7 Myths About Addiction | Stanton Peele

Debunking common misconceptions and highlighting non‑disease models of change.

Dr. Stanton Peele Interview on the Disease Model

A critique of the disease framework and alternatives like the Life Process approach.

The Biology of Desire | Marc Lewis

Why the disease model misses how learning and neuroplasticity drive addiction—and recovery.

The Neuroscience of Addiction | Marc Lewis

Accessible neuroscience of craving, habit loops, and brain change in recovery.

Understanding Addiction | Marc Lewis

From compulsion to choice: reframing addiction through development and learning.

Is Addiction Really a Disease? | Kevin McCauley

Core arguments and brain science from the ‘Pleasure Unwoven’ series.

Frontiers in Addiction | Dr. Kevin McCauley

Updates on neuroscience and public health implications for substance use disorders.

New Perspectives on Addiction | Kevin McCauley

A full lecture on current research and the lived experience of recovery.

SUD: Treatment, Recovery, Common Myths | Sarah Wakeman

Evidence‑based care models, medications for OUD, and shifting public narratives.

What Alcohol Does to Your Body | Dr. Sarah Wakeman

Harvard addiction specialist explains alcohol’s risks and evidence‑based help.

Compassion First: Stigma, Treatment & Harm Reduction | Sarah Wakeman

Keynote on stigma and pragmatic pathways to care and safety.

Transforming Addiction Care: Five Takeaways | Corey Waller

System‑level improvements for SUD care and lessons from clinical practice.

How to Talk to Patients about Reducing Harm | Corey Waller

Practical communication strategies and ASAM‑aligned planning.

The ASAM Criteria & the Future of Care | Corey Waller

Applying and evolving ASAM criteria across real‑world treatment settings.

ED‑Initiated Buprenorphine for OUD | Gail D’Onofrio

Landmark work showing how ED starts on buprenorphine save lives and engage care.

ED‑Initiated Buprenorphine | DEA 360 Presentation | D’Onofrio

Implementation pearls for starting MOUD in emergency departments.

Emergency Department‑Initiated Buprenorphine | Webinar | D’Onofrio

Clinical protocols, outcomes, and adoption barriers in ED‑based MOUD.

Is Addiction a Disease? | Keith Humphreys

A policy and clinical perspective on competing models of addiction.

Drug Policy: It’s Not a No‑Brainer | Keith Humphreys

How public policy shapes use, harm, and treatment access.

Fireside Chat with Patrick J. Kennedy | Keith Humphreys

Scaling solutions for mental health and addiction at the population level.

Never Enough: Neuroscience & Experience of Addiction | Judith Grisel

Grisel weaves personal history with brain science to explain tolerance and craving.

Never Enough | Judith Grisel (Grand Rounds)

A deeper academic talk on neuroadaptation and what it means for treatment.

Kids and Drugs | Sharon Levy | TEDx

Why adolescents are uniquely vulnerable and how parents and systems can respond.

Opioid addiction is treatable. Why aren’t we doing it? | Sharon Levy | TEDx

Barriers to implementing MOUD for youth and adults—and how to fix them.

Ketamine for the treatment of addiction | Prof Celia Morgan

Evidence from KARE and related trials on ketamine‑assisted therapy for AUD.

Final Thoughts on Addiction Talks

Addiction is a complex and deeply personal challenge, but these talks illuminate paths to recovery, understanding, and hope. From the scientific insights of “Addiction Neuroscience 101” to the personal journeys of speakers like Russell Brand and Tara Conner, these videos offer perspectives that inspire empathy and action. They remind us that addiction touches individuals, families, and communities, calling for compassion over judgment.

For those seeking support, explore resources like Health Canada, CCSA, or ConnexOntario for local help, and SAMHSA for international resources. Continue exploring AddictionTube for more inspiring content to guide your journey toward healing.