Hughesy & Addiction: Breaking His Dad's Drinking Cycle Before It Broke Him

You know him as the voice of Australian radio, the man dominating stand-up stages across the country and one of Australia's most loved comedians: Hughesy. He's filled our households with laughter for decades, but today we meet the man behind the comedy curtain. In this deeply personal conversation, Dave opens up about his decision to quit alcohol cold turkey at the young age of 21 - long before he became a household name. He shares the raw reality of his "blackout" drinking, how seeing his father's struggles with alcohol influenced his path, and his more recent battles with nicotine and workaholism. We delve into the "nature vs. nurture" debate as he navigates parenting his own children, the generational cycle of alcohol in Australian culture and how to authentically talk to young people about addiction. This isn't just a story about quitting; it's a masterclass in self-awareness, ego-dissolution and finding joy in the simple act of breathing. EPISODE RESOURCES: If this episode has raised concerns for you, or if you are considering your own substance use, the following resources are available for confidential support: Counselling Online : The recommended first port of call for those questioning their drug use or looking for help. It features a Self-Assessment Quiz , a national directory and 24/7 access to online chat or telephone-based support. National Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Hotline : For free and confidential advice, call 1800 250 015 . SMART Recovery Australia : A network of evidence-based support meetings for people seeking recovery. Quit : Whether you're quitting smoking or vaping, Quit offers tailored support and expert tips . And if this episode triggered anything for you and you need someone to talk to, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 . GET IN TOUCH Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here , email here or leave us a voice note here . Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room .

You can listen to Hughesy & Addiction: Breaking His Dad's Drinking Cycle Before It Broke Him online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Hughesy & Addiction: Breaking His Dad's Drinking Cycle Before It Broke Him is an episode from The Well by Well.

This episode is 31:44 long.

This episode was published on Jan 28, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from The Well when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.