In this episode, Martin and JP discuss addiction with addiction specialist nurse, Pam Diamond, a seasoned mental health nurse with a privileged career dedicated to addiction and trauma, particularly within the military environment. Pam shares her unique insights from years working with the Royal Marines and other services, revealing the hidden struggles faced by high-performing individuals.

We explore:

The invisible battle: Why addiction, especially to alcohol, becomes a sneaky and often encouraged coping mechanism in demanding fields like the military.

Beyond alcohol: Pam sheds light on other prevalent but often hidden addictions she's encountered, including gambling, pornography, and even excessive gym use.

The changing landscape: How societal shifts, such as the rise of social media and increased health consciousness, are impacting traditional military drinking culture.

When health becomes harmful: Identifying the tipping point where a seemingly normal behaviour transforms into a destructive compulsion.

Breaking the silence: Practical advice for individuals recognising problematic patterns and for friends and family seeking to support those in denial.

The path to recovery: Understanding the challenges of overcoming addiction, the importance of seeking support, and remembering your "why."

Join us for a candid conversation that unpacks the complexities of addiction in high-stakes environments, offering hope and guidance for those grappling with these silent battles.

Guest, Cast & Crew

Pam Diamond is a mental health nurse, specialising in addiction. Her 30-year career has been split between the NHS and military settings, including the Royal Marines. Pam continues her work in addiction intervention as part of Pam Diamond Therapy.

Hosted by Martin Jones & Jonpaul Nevin https://www.ophp.co.uk

Produced & edited by Bess Manley

Resources

Email [email protected]

Thanks for tuning in. If you found this podcast valuable, please take a moment to rate, share and review. If you have feedback, guest suggestions, or topics you'd love us to cover, please email us at [email protected] or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Chapters

00:21 Pam's Journey into Addiction and Mental Health

01:16 Transition to Military Work

02:07 Challenges in Military Addiction Work

04:33 Alcohol Culture in the Military

07:06 Changing Attitudes Towards Alcohol

17:42 Exploring Other Addictions

20:51 Understanding Compulsive Behaviours

22:14 The Role of Identity in Exercise

22:34 Strange Exercise Behaviours

24:27 The Impact of Social Media and Accessibility

26:51 Seeking Help and Support

34:21 Challenges in Overcoming Addictions

37:39 Final Thoughts and Reflection

Keywords: military addiction, alcohol abuse, high performance, hidden addiction, mental health, trauma, Royal Marines, gambling addiction, pornography addiction, gym addiction, recovery, support, Pam Diamond, Optimising Human Performance

Thanks for listening to Optimising Human Performance.

This podcast is for people who can’t afford to fail. Each episode gives you practical, evidence‑based tools you can apply in the real world.

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www.ophp.co.uk

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