SPONSOR ME TOO – July 19, 2024 – Hammer talked about his recovery and the Hollywood support that he’s received along the way. He also cleared up some rumors that have been circulating since a Vanity Fair exposé reported that Downey was a key figure in his recovery. For nearly two decades, he been quietly reaching his hand back and helping other stars on their sobriety journeys, an act of service that is a tenet of 12-step programs. Asked whether Downey picked up the tab for his residential treatment stay, Hammer refuted the claims. “No, he did not. He did…
Author: Leonard Buschel
PAYING IT FORWARD – July 18, 2024 – Trey now 17 years sober, is set to open the doors to a residential recovery program, Divided Sky, in his native Vermont with the caseworker who helped him after he was arrested for heroin possession and driving under the influence in 2006. CONTINUE@People
A STAR IS REBORN – July 20, 2024 – Stamos, who portrays a family counselor in the Hulu series “UnPrisoned,” recently confessed that one particular person helped save his life and guide him toward sobriety. “I probably wouldn’t be here” Stamos said of his relationship with celebrity therapist Phil Stutz. Jonah Hill was so impressed with Stutz, he created a Netflix documentary about the therapist in 2022, “Stutz.” Stamos said he’s been seeing Stutz for “close to 20 years.” “He was big into helping me get sober,” the “Full House” star said. “When I went to Stutz one of…
IF NOT YOU, WHO? – July 18, 2024 – “Prior research has been describing that physicians don’t feel comfortable actually treating people with substance use disorder because they don’t feel that the setting in which they work has the support to allow them to do it properly.” According to an NIH press release, almost 49 million people in the United States had a substance use disorder in 2022, yet only around 13 million people received treatment. In the study, Melinda Campopiano von Klimo, MD, a senior medical adviser at JBS International, and colleagues searched several databases like PubMed and…
HOUSE CALLS ARE BACK IN – July 24, 2024 – Aware Recovery offers in-home substance use disorder (SUD) care. The provider is able to treat people with alcohol, opioid and other substance use disorders. Aware offers its services in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island and Virginia. It works with a number of insurance providers, including Aetna, Anthem and Tufts. The capital, which comes from loans and potential future investments, will help the company expand its innovation efforts. In particular, the provider is looking to partner with state government entities, Accountable Care Organizations,…
TWO MONTHS DOWN, INFINITY TO GO – July 23, 2024 – Jay Allen celebrates two months of sobriety in an Instagram post shared with his followers. The rising country star admitted that reaching this milestone in his journey has left him feeling incredibly proud in his ability to withhold from drinking alcohol as well as abusing Adderall. His caption read, “I woke up this morning and looked at my calendar to see this… 60 days free from alcohol and abusing adderall. It seems so small, but to me, it’s my biggest accomplishment yet. #sober” The post featured a black…
YES? – July 21, 2024 – Methadone has been used for decades to treat opioid addiction. It is also difficult to come by, a problem health providers hope to ease with a new fleet of vans that can provide the drug. Mr. Parisi goes every weekday morning to an R.V.-size white van parked at a Days Inn. “This definitely works, I’m living proof,” Mr. Parisi said on a recent Tuesday outside the van, where he was waiting with about a dozen other men from his residential drug treatment program. He is only 30 years old, but has been in…
SO THEY SAY – July 22, 2024 – Close to 30 percent of the estimated 280 million people in the world living with major depressive disorder have treatment resistant depression. Sales of Spravato soared 60% to $271 million in the three months ended June 30, compared with the same period in 2023. Spravato has been used by 100,000 people in 77 countries, according to Johnson & Johnson. Spravato is administered as nasal spray and must be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting. Unlike, other antidepressants that regulate chemicals like serotonin and dopamine in…
BRAINS MATTER – July 22, 2024 – “The main implication of our work is that in disorders with dopamine dysfunctions, in addition to producing the primary symptoms associated with these disorders (such as motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease), the dopamine imbalance also affects individuals’ socio-cognitive abilities,” added Schuster. “This work could have implications for the way in which we treat Parkinson’s in the future, A recent study has uncovered a significant link between the brain chemical dopamine and our ability to understand and attribute mental states to ourselves and others, a process known as mentalizing. Conducted by researchers at…
AND INTO SERVICE – July 21, 2024 – Jeff Johnston meditates on his porch at 4:30 in the morning at his house in Cedar Rapids on July 7. Johnston uses meditation to help cope with the losses of his stepson, Seth, to an overdose, and his wife, Prudence, to grief-induced alcoholism, as well as day-to-day emotions. One new friend was Ryan Hampton, a former member of the Clinton Administration who has become a forefront expert in addiction recovery and drug policy reform spaces. Now, Jeff hopes to change the behavior that precedes addiction with an app that makes mental…
AND NEVER KNEW THE FUTURE – July 20, 2024 – On July 13, more than 300 people filled the Calvary Chapel to celebrate his life, which had ended suddenly, unexpectedly less than a month earlier. He was dearly loved by family and friends who spoke about him at the service. Even acquaintances responded to an undeniable charisma he dispensed with a “light-up-the-room” smile. Sadly, James Labbe, 35, who grew up in Baltic, was a statistic, too, one of the hundreds and thousands of people in Connecticut and across the country who have continued to succumb to opioid overdoses. The…
VIDEO – GETTING CLOSE – July 19, 2024 – A non-profit organization is creating a safe and vibrant space for people on a journey of sobriety to connect, socialize and learn… CONTINUE@YouTube
ABSTINENCE FURTHERS – JULY 26, 2024 -As well as impacting us differently, sobriety coach Christy Osborne explains that if we’re drinking, our perimenopause symptoms can be harder to notice If you’ve found that your hangovers are noticeably worse since entering perimenopause, and that you feel drunk much quicker, you’ll be pleased to know you’re not imagining it. Our alcohol tolerance dips in perimenopause thanks to hormonal shifts… If you’re perimenopausal, you’ll be familiar with hot flushes, but Christy explains that alcohol can cause these too. “Alcohol consumption can trigger or intensify hot flashes and night sweats,” she says. If…
YOU CAN’T RUN AWAY FROM YOURSELF – July 26, 2024 – When marathons didn’t make me feel better, I decided I had to keep running. I started trail running, where there’s a huge drinking culture. In the evenings, there were social gatherings and I would go from one running club to another, drinking beer with them all until I was completely drunk. I got the reputation as the runner who drank openly during the race. But I wasn’t entirely unique. Booze is a painkiller. Jagermeister was developed by the Norwegian military to help soldiers withstand physical pain and mentally…
NOT ENOUGH! – July 26, 2024 – Indivior reached an $86 million settlement with 16 U.S. states over the drug manufacturer’s alleged role in spreading opioid addiction across the United States, New York Attorney General Letitia James said on Friday. The settlement concerned Indivior’s manufacture of buprenorphine-based products meant to treat opioid abuse, but which allegedly can fuel addiction if misused. The North Chesterfield, Virginia-based company was accused of improperly targeting sales to doctors running pill mills and failing to monitor suspicious orders, leading to inappropriate prescriptions. Indivior’s buprenorphine-based products include Sublocade and Suboxone. When companies like Indivior exploit…
VIDEO – REHABILITATION WORKS – July 25, 2024 – The Sternberg Mansion was built in 1886 and it was used as a boarding house for many years but now it’s been completely transformed into a new sober living home for men. An investment well worth it. That’s what Suter, the new owner of the mansion, calls his next adventure. “I believe in this so much because everything I have is absolutely because of the things this house is founded on,” said Suter. Suter actually purchased the property two years ago and he and others have been working on it…
HELPING OTHERS MATTERS – July 25, 2024 – Families Against Narcotics (FAN) is now called Face Addiction Now. The organization assists over 100,000 people annually through its various programs. FAN started 16 years ago to support individuals and families impacted by drug addiction. “Now we serve so many other touch points throughout our community that we wanted to broaden that,” said Lori Ziolkowski, Director of Community Partnerships for FAN. She emphasized that the new name better fits their mission, which includes support for all kinds of substance abuse. As a support group, FAN provides a range of services, including…
IT AIN’T GOOD – July 22, 2024 – Even in people with healthy digestive systems, alcohol can wreak havoc. A maximum of one drink a day for women and two for men—is unlikely to cause serious problems, heavier drinking can mess with the microbiome, leading to increases in the bacteria that cause inflammation. Increased inflammation associated with heavier drinking can also interfere with nutrient absorption. Worse, it can damage the intestinal lining and possibly cause “leaky gut.” That condition can lead to microbes, food, and toxins seeping out of the intestines, potentially causing problems elsewhere in the body. Even…
FREE OVERNIGHT CAMP – July 24, 2024 – RFK Jr. suggests creating “wellness farms” to “reparent” those struggling with addiction by growing organic food and taking away screens. He says it’ll also be a place for people with ADHD and depression to get off SSRIs and antidepressants. How to pay for these farms? Kennedy had an answer. With money generated through a sales tax on cannabis products, Kennedy said, “I’m going to dedicate that revenue to creating wellness farms—drug rehabilitation farms, in rural areas all over this country,” he said. “I’m going to make it so people can go,…
AUDIO – NOT JUST BETTY FORD – July 19, 2024 – How addiction leads to social isolation and stigma for families and what are some strategies for setting boundaries with an addicted loved one. CONTINUE@Radio786
DILUTED – July 21, 2024 – The Robert Courtney case impacted at least 4,000 patients across Kansas City. He was a trusted pharmacist who diluted life-saving medication for extra money. An FBI sting revealed Courtney diluted chemotherapy treatments. He later admitted he watered down medication for AIDS, fertility, diabetes and even eye drops. . The case is exhausting for local families who have endured loss, shock, a plea deal, sentencing, civil trial and now victim notifications of Courtney’s release. Many shared personal stories of the deaths of their loved ones where full-strength treatments might have made a difference. It…
LEAVING THE PUTTS TO HIM – July 21, 2024 – Brittany Horschel shares the same passion for golf, and the two have even made history playing together in a World Tour event. Brittany’s impact goes beyond golf as she has been open about her battle with alcoholism. As Billy continues playing on the PGA Tour … Brittany uses her online presence to encourage others who may be battling with something similar. Brittany has been sober for more than eight years and runs a website called “The Sober Modern Mom.” Billy’s wife uses the site to post reflections on her…
VIDEO – THE NEW CIGARETTES, BUT USEFUL – July 22, 2024 – Almost 50% of Americans are addicted to their cell phones. On average, people check their phones every 12 minutes throughout the day. Whether texting, calling, emailing, scrolling, or playing games it seems like everyone is addicted to their phones! A study done at San Diego State University found that prolonged screen time increases depression and suicide-related thoughts, especially in young girls. “So, things like anxiety, depression, all our significant predictors of problem maximum smartphone use,” said Alex J. Holt, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Cincinnati.…
VIDEO – MARY WOULD BE PROUD – July 19, 2024 – He was desperate to quit, but starting over wasn’t so simple. Once out of jail, Halas had nothing – no money, car, home, job, family or friends. But thanks to those he knew in the church and recovery community, he quit once and for all. Now, he’s determined to help others do it too… Within 24 hours, they can get someone into a safe, sober living home, connect them with transportation, a phone, replacement ID, food, clothing and whatever else they need. And, they’ve partnered with local businesses…
AI SAYS YES – July 23, 2024 – Thanks to the speed and efficiency of the internet, centuries of knowledge can now be summoned with a simple click of a button – but how the brain acquires information is just as important, and you could be increasing your risk of dementia by taking shortcuts, a leading academic has warned. In his new book, iMind: Artificial and Real Intelligence, Professor Mohamed I. Elmasry says the focus has shifted too far away from RI (natural, or real) intelligence in favour of AI (machine, or artificial) intelligence. Prof Elmasry, an expert in…
AUDIO – CAN FICTION BE REAL? – July 23, 2024 – Critics have praised “The Bear” for its realistic portrayal of the high-stress restaurant world. But it’s also about what alcohol addiction does to families. CONTINUE@KCRW
WILL IT EVER END? – July 26, 2024 – Dr. Louise Stanger, a noted interventionist, stresses the need for compassion. “Only through meeting individuals where they are at with empathy and care can we build pathways out of active addiction,” she said. The fight against opioid addiction continues with successes here and there. However, the battle rages on in an attempt to make significant headway. Social media platforms have, unfortunately, provided new avenues for illicit drug sales. Criminals can reach broad audiences of youths using anonymity and apps allowing for disappearing content. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ),…
“I want my remains to be mixed with my dog and I want to be mixed with my dad, I do not want to be buried and not cremated.” – Shannen Doherty, April 12, 1971–July 13, 2024
WORSE THAN COKE? – July 25, 2024 – Energy drinks with as much caffeine as nine cans of Coca-Cola have been removed from store shelves in a major crackdown blitz About 700 drinks were seized from South Australian retailers after it was revealed they contained as much caffeine as nine cans of Coca-Cola or three shots of coffee, nearly doubling the legal caffeine limit of 320mg per liter. Large amounts of caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety and depression as well as cardiovascular issues, heartburn, ulcers, seizures, and in rare cases, death. SA Health inspectors found 18 stores were selling…
NEVER TOO LATE – July 17, 2024 – It ultimately led the actress to get sober — a decision that she says led her to an MS diagnosis — which she shared publicly in 2018. “I wouldn’t have been able to be diagnosed with MS unless I was sober. I wouldn’t be a good mom unless I was sober. I self-medicated,” she admitted. Before she had an official name for her condition, Blair says she even questioned whether her pain was real. “I honestly thought I was making it up before I was diagnosed. I just thought, ‘Jesus, Selma,…