LET NUN BE LEFT BEHIND – May 31, 2024 – Then Sister Blandine met Dr. Bob, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). As a nurse on the detox ward at Saint Agnes Hospital, she witnessed daily the agonies of alcohol withdrawal. She was so inspired by the AA program and its ability to help people stay sober that she ended up devoting the rest of her life to that mission. According to a newspaper article from the 1970s, “with a mix of gentle encouragement and blunt locker-room directness, she nursed [the men] past the screaming phase, filled them with…
Author: Leonard Buschel
NOW STREAMING NOW – May 29, 2024 – What happens when the party is over? There are plenty of movies that show the “before” but only a few that get into the dirty side of addiction. They can all serve as powerful examples of what sobriety and recovery can and should be. Here’s our list of 32 movies that show the dark side and the possible light at the end of the tunnel. When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story: Alcoholism and addiction are hard on the friends and loved ones of the addicts. Al-Anon is a…
ACCEPTANCE IS THE KEY – May 30, 2024 – “One of the reasons I moved to Philly was to get sober,” said Todd S., who noted that members of the group use first names and a last initial to preserve anonymity. Todd, who previously served as Philadelphia Freedom Roundup’s treasurer and helped to bring this year’s production to life, initially got involved in the organization after attending an annual conference — called a roundup. “For the first time, I saw that in recovery life is not over,” he said. “We’re having a ton of fun. These people know how…
REST IN PEACE – May 26, 2024 – “Why was I drunk? Because I’m a (expletive) alcoholic that hates everything to do with the PGA Tour life and that’s my scapegoat.” He also accused the tour of not giving him proper help, which the tour denied. “I think one of the elements of his legacy is his resiliency,” Monahan said. “So you think of going back to 2017, winning the Barbasol Championship, going back and forth between the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour … self-assessing, coming back, becoming in his own eyes a stronger human being, and…
VIDEO – PESSIMIST OR PROGNOSTICATOR? – May 29, 2024 – “What we have to understand is that with our growing knowledge of how the brain is affected in people with substance use disorders, is that fear or scolding is rarely an effective tool to help people decide it’s time to seek medical attention and counseling to help them address their substance use disorder. It rarely ever works. Combest commended the state for getting the pills off the streets, as well as spreading fentanyl testing strips and Narcan, but advised there isn’t a clear-cut solution to this problem. “So I’m…
FILMS MATTER – May 29, 2024 – I know these are our houseless neighbors. But these aren’t, as I always say, truck drivers that lost their job,” Eric said. “There’s something going on here, and it’s drugs.” “Demon at the Door” was an intimate look at the heroin crisis, and it was personal for Eric. One of the addicts he interviewed was his niece, Lexi. Then Eric heard from Scott Lindsay. Lindsay is now the deputy prosecuting attorney for King County. At the time, he was digging into prolific criminal offenders in Seattle and he found most of them…
VIDEO – IT WORKS IF YOU LET IT – May 28, 2024 – Lori Tipton is among the growing number of people who say that MDMA, saved their lives. Raised in New Orleans by a mother with untreated bipolar disorder who later killed herself and two others, Tipton said she endured layers of trauma that eventually forced her to seek treatment for crippling anxiety and hypervigilance. Then she answered an ad for a clinical trial for MDMA-assisted therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Tipton said the results were immediate, and she is convinced the drug could help a lot…
POWERFUL SHARE – May 31, 2024 – “Thank you for your service,” Larry Turner told several law enforcement officers during a recent Fentanyl Awareness Day event in Ridgeland. There was a time, not that long ago, when he would have done just about anything to avoid those officers, a time when scoring and using hardcore drugs was the primary focus of his day. Now Turner helps other recovering addicts as well as family members grieving the loss of loved ones to drug overdoses. “Those guys (officers) wanted me, and I didn’t respect them, and they were a pain,”…
REBORN INTO LIGHT – May 27, 2024 – “I was massively overprescribed painkillers. I don’t think it was done maliciously, but I became dependent and then addicted… My situation deteriorated when my doctor abruptly cut me off after I failed a drug test, having tried heroin for the first time just a week before the random test. My addiction spiraled, leading to a life of drugs, crime, and eventually homelessness.” “I was never made to be a criminal. I was terrible at it and got arrested for small possession charges and shoplifting numerous times. I was jail hopping, couch…
NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW – May 31, 2024 – Federal prosecutors in Vermont last month charged Adnan S. Khan with unlawfully distributing controlled substances and health care fraud. They allege Khan would prescribe buprenorphine without a legitimate medical purpose, knowing it would be diverted or misused – often requiring patients to pay in cash, even if they had Medicare or Medicaid. May 31, 2024 – Federal prosecutors in Vermont last month charged Adnan S. Khan with unlawfully distributing controlled substances and health care fraud. They allege Khan would prescribe buprenorphine without a legitimate medical purpose, knowing it…
VIDEO – QUICK FIX? – May 31, 2024 – He says these injectable weight loss drugs come with a list of side effects including, gastric issues which can be permanent, nausea, vomiting, loss of around 40% of muscle mass, and potential for Osteoporosis. “This has been marketed as the panaceal treatment,” Weerasinghe said, “I actually don’t think that’s accurate at all.” He says patients tend to experience rapid weight gain after stopping the medication, citing research. He also notes patients tend to lose less weight after weight loss surgery if they’re on something like Ozempic. “If I would expect…
SECONDS CHANCES! – May 31, 2024 – “I love being sober and being with my family and friends.” “I am becoming a stronger man for my family and a better citizen.” Gratitude for a second chance at life triggers these types of comments, most recently from the Drug Rehabilitation Court … Those facing jail time in Kane County can opt to be sentenced to a specialty court — Drug Rehabilitation, Treatment Alternative (mental health), Veterans Treatment, or DUI. Upon entering a specialty court, it’s not a barefoot walk in the morning dew. They are difficult programs, generally about two…
IT’S THERE SOMEWHERE – May 29, 2024 – Is it just the small details or are you missing large gaps. Our early childhood experiences shape our self-concept and engagement with the world. These memories are key to our identity development as we move into adulthood. As a therapist, I often help clients… There’s a common misconception that trauma is the main cause of childhood amnesia. A logical assumption but is completely unfounded. There are many reasons why one might not remember their childhood, from the complexities of brain development to a lack of social experiences. If you’re worried about…
MOVIES MATTER! – May 25, 2024 – A documentary aiming to combat addiction and alcoholism, with the help of Cherokee County recovery resources … Jeff Reddick, an independent filmmaker will depict how Tahlequah is a hub for recovery. Since Tahlequah has a high opioid overdose death average and multiple systems are in place to help with addiction, Reddick said the project is getting people’s attention.The film will enter the production phase around July or August …An example of what the film will feature is the teachings of the Peaceful Warrior’s Way, whether through the talking circles or the healing…
VIDEO – SAVING ONE LIFE AT A TIME – May 26, 2024 – The canvassing is part of Mobilize Recovery Maine’s “Project Doorstep” initiative. Its goal is to reach 10,000 doors within two years. The organization is on its way to hitting 5,000 this summer, after knocking on over 5,000 doors last year. “There are many people that are struggling with substance use disorder, and because of the stigmas and guilt and shame around substance use disorder, people are either afraid to go get help or they don’t know where to go get help,” Reynolds said. That’s where Reynolds…
MUSICAL INTERLUDE – ALCOHOLISM – 4,407,218 Views. Music video for Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Bottle” – Directed by Steve Rivo and Adam Shore. Produced in 1998 as part of CD re-issue of “Winter In America” on TVT Records. CONTINUE@YouTube
MUST SEE – May 30, 2024 – Ronan stars as Rona, a young woman recovering from alcoholism. Rona returns to her remote home in the Orkney Islands after losing herself in London. Nora Fingscheidt directs the highly-anticipated feature, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. IndieWire critic David Ehrlich tweeted on Thursday, “So weird that this very good Saoirse Ronan drama still doesn’t have U.S. distribution! Not the easiest sell in the world, but she’s an absolute force in it.” CONTINUE@IndieWire
VOLUNTEERED FOR AMERICA – May 24, 2024 – When Slick finally accepted her need to embrace sobriety, help came in the unlikely form of fellow musical icon David Crosby. Crosby had his own battles with addiction, with cocaine and heroin being a particular favourite of his, before embarking upon his own recovery. May 24, 2024 – when Slick finally accepted her need to embrace sobriety, help came in the unlikely form of fellow musical icon David Crosby. Crosby had his own battles with addiction, with cocaine and heroin being a particular favourite of his, before embarking upon his own…
VIDEO – NO WOMAN IS ABOVE THE LAW – Featured – May 30, 2024 – Thirty-seven-year-old Ariel Dix pleaded guilty to two felony counts of illegal control of an enterprise. On May 30, she was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. Dix helped create fake clinics that fraudulently billed the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for services. CONTINUE@Fox
ONE ROTTEN APPLE? – May 29, 2024 – Markanthony Fernandez, 24, a Bartow Police Department officer, was arrested Tuesday after an investigation began on May 8. The incident happened on the weekend of Feb. 3 and involved two 18-year-old women, a 17-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl. “Fernandez recorded several videos,” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says in a release. “One video showed one of the 18-year old girl’s wearing a Bartow PD jacket, while a 17-year old committed a sexual act on the 18-year-old at the urging of Fernandez. Several of the videos show the victims naked with…
CAUGHT RED HANDED – May 23, 2024 – According to Kentucky State Police, The owners of Edgewater Recovery, John and Myra Elam, both face charges related to child pornography. 43-year-old John Elam is charged with possession of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor under 12-years-old, possession of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor under 18-years-old, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 43-year-old Myra Elam is charged with possession of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor under 12-years-old and possession of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor under 18-years-old. The two were arrested…
GOOD VIBRATIONS – May 25, 2024 – The research found that women who experience higher levels of psychological distress are more likely to engage in masturbation, particularly clitoral stimulation, as a form of stress relief. This challenges the longstanding stigma surrounding female masturbation and highlights its potential benefits for mental well-being. Masturbation is a common sexual behavior among women in Western societies. Despite its prevalence, societal and religious stigmas have historically discouraged women from exploring their sexuality, often labeling masturbation as harmful. Previous studies have shown that sexual arousal and orgasm can improve mood and regulate stress, suggesting that…
HEALTH IS WEALTH – May 31, 2024 – Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is the overall wellness of how we think, regulate our feelings, and behave, and it determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is currently a prominent topic of discussion. Conversations about mental well-being are increasingly appearing on TV shows and social media, and high-profile figures like actors, athletes, and global pop stars are becoming more vocal about going to therapy. This marks a change from previous decades when mental health was highly stigmatized, keeping…
FRIGHTENING – May 31, 2024 – Researchers found that 7.5 percent of students said they had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2022, the latest year available. Most of the surge was recorded during the Covid pandemic — when campuses were closed and many youngsters were asked to stay home or weak masks in class. This has prompted warnings from some corners over the ‘over-medicalization’ of the younger generation — suggesting this uptick is similar to the story told for other conditions like anxiety. PTSD is defined as a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event…
AMERICAN DREAMS – May 23, 2024 – Although alcohol overall remains more widely used, first-time daily marijuana use overtook drinking at the same frequency in 2022, with roughly 17.7 million cannabis users and 14.7 million drinkers.That is a 15-fold increase for cannabis since 1992 when 900,000 Americans disclosed using the drug daily compared with 8.9 million daily drinkers. “We believe — and data clearly indicates — the younger demographic cohort is increasingly accepting cannabis on a daily and monthly use at a higher rate than other generations,” said Roth MKM analyst Scott Fortune. “As there are indications of consumers…
AUDIO – INTENSITY MAKES YOU STRONGER – May 31, 2024 – From getting sober, grieving the loss of his brother and calling off his engagement, Radke has let viewers in on the most intimate moments of his life. The spinoff became a Bravo phenomenon all its own, one that has now spanned eight seasons, with Radke one of the few constants as the cast around him changed. Viewers have seen his tumultuous 30s play out onscreen: He has been in messy relationships, confronted his drinking and gotten sober, mourned the death of his brother and, in the Season 8…
AUDIO – PROFIT MOTIVE – May 29, 2024 – Public health officials say Mexican cartels and drug gangs inside the U.S. are mixing a dangerous chemical sedative called medetomidine into fentanyl and other drugs sold on the street. The combination triggered a new wave of overdoses that began in late April and have accelerated in May. “The numbers reported out of Philadelphia were 160 hospitalizations over a 3 or 4-day period,” said Alex Krotulski who heads an organization called NPS Discovery that studies illicit drugs sold in the U.S. Medetomidine, most often used by veterinarians as an animal tranquilizer,…
VIDEO – HONESTY ON THE AIR – May 30, 2024 – Derek Faller has been sober for over seven months. He said when he was struggling with his substance abuse disorder, hearing others tell their stories about their struggles and overcoming addiction through social media inspired him to keep going. When he was invited onto the Heartview Foundation’s podcast “Recovery Chronicles,” he accepted. “I remember in my addiction, I’d scroll on Facebook, and there’d be interviews with people sharing their stories, and it was just amazing to see them getting out of the hole they’d dug for themselves, getting…
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer, b. 1940 – d. 2015
THE FINAL STEP? – May 20, 2024 – Historical accounts and credible sources corroborate the online claim that Wilson, who was a New York stockbroker prior to getting sober and co-launching AA, did ask for whiskey but was denied his requests on several occasions in the final days of his life. Commonly known as Bill W. (as part of AA’s tradition of anonymity), Wilson co-founded the abstinence-based recovery fellowship alongside Dr. Bob Smith in 1935. Having struggled with alcoholism until 1934, Wilson maintained his sobriety until his death in 1971 from pneumonia and emphysema caused by his decades-long smoking…