BULLSH*T – May 16, 2024 – Intense physical exercise has received major attention as an effective way to reduce cravings and remain sober by celebrities like the rapper Eminem. In 2024, Em posted his annual updated AA pin on his social media account, where he reported being sober 16 years. He also attended recovery meetings. Why do people shun exercise as a possible answer to substance abuse or severe depression? I asked former Olympian and Olympic psychiatrist Dave Baron this question. Baron said, “People don’t see exercise as an intervention, but more of a lifestyle choice. The best available…
Author: Leonard Buschel
THINKING YOU’RE IN LOVE – 2024 – New science shows the heart is far more than a pump. This intelligent organ generates powerful electromagnetic signals that fundamentally influence brain processes like cognition and emotional experience. As cardiologist Dr. Stephen T Sinatra summarises: “The heart is truly where wisdom resides.” Can you keep a secret? Our hearts have been lying to us for centuries! For too long, we’ve been led to believe that our hearts are nothing more than biological pumps, mindlessly pushing blood through our bodies. But brace yourselves because the truth is about to blow your minds! …
HIGHER POWER INDEED – May 17, 2024 – Ian McSeamus, the infamous frontman of the punk band Ghost Chode, said he is celebrating six months of sobriety which drew a huge reaction until he attributed the accomplishment to Jesus Christ, ” Where was God the first time Ian overdosed because he shot too much junk into his scrotum? The other members of Ghost Chode are split on whether or not this new religious influence is a positive thing for McSeamus. “All that’s really changed for me is the pre-show meeting, we used to all huddle up and do as…
GONNA BE HIGH – May 9, 2024 – The researchers point out that people experiencing loneliness have been shown to have increased blood pressure levels and increased peripheral vascular resistance, or the circulatory resistance our body uses to generate blood pressure. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a normal blood pressure reading should come in under 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), or “120 over 80,” as you may have heard your doctor put it. People with high blood pressure, or hypertension, have a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. A number of…
EXCEPT HER – May 14, 2024 – I was “dating” a bad boy at the time. Our relationship only lasted a summer, but we were together long enough for him to introduce me to methamphetamine, which he sold. I hardly drank and had never done any drugs, much less one that was considered so addictive and dangerous. But my boyfriend told me that I wouldn’t have any problems — and that it could help me lose weight. Those were the magic words I wanted to hear. Though I was nervous, I told myself that it would be OK and…
EASY DOES IT – May 2024 – First and foremost, a healthy mind is an editing a mind, an organ that manages to sieve, from thousands of stray, dramatic, disconcerting or horrifying thoughts, those particular ideas and sensations that actively need to be entertained in order for us to direct our lives effectively. Partly this means keeping at bay punitive and critical judgements that might want to tell us repeatedly how disgraceful and appalling we are – long after harshness has ceased to serve any useful purpose. When we are interviewing for a new job or taking someone on…
VIDEO – JOYOUSLY – May 14, 2024 – Daniel Rochelle, Jr.’s father and namesake was a huge influence in his life, his hero and the person who taught him about music. He was a wonderful father but was addicted to alcohol, which caused trauma and fight-or-flight moments that can shape a young person’s life and alter them physiologically. At age 14 and through high school, Daniel began to recognize the depth of his father’s issues. He decided he would try to live a perfect life through his faith, hoping to influence his parents to get along better and his…
VIDEO – HOPEFULLY NOT PILOTS – May 15, 2024 – Marijuana positivity increased in 13 out of 15 industries, with finance and insurance representing the largest jump. That sector saw a 35.7% jump in positive marijuana tests in 2023. Positive cocaine tests among U.S. workforce members also increased by 9.1% last year. According to data obtained by Quest Diagnostics, the number of U.S. employees who allegedly tampered with their drug tests increased by more than six times in 2023 compared to the previous year. This surge represents the highest rate recorded in over 30 years. “Some American workers are…
AUDIO – ACTING WHAT HE KNOWS – May 16, 2024 – Grey’s Anatomy’s Richard Webber actor knows what living with alcoholism is like “first-hand” to his dad. In the first six seasons of the ABC and Disney+ medical drama, Richard struggled with alcoholism until he was able to finally get hold of his addiction and remain sober. Richard didn’t turn to alcohol when season 20 made its debut and instead sought help again in the form of AA meetings to get him back on track. Speaking to Express.co.uk, actor James Pickens Jr opened up on how his dad’s own…
VIDEO – TO ANYONE! – MAY 15, 2024 – A message of hope from the depths of darkness. Elmore Smith, a recovered drug addict, said. “When you see me, you see hope, you see a miracle, because I was the one that could be trusted. I was the one that people gave up on.” Smith’s story coincides with some promising new data from the CDC. It shows drug overdose deaths decreased last year for the first time since 2018. The provisional data show deaths from overdoses decreased by three percent last year. But that still amounts to more than…
NOT IN MY DRUG MARKET – May 16, 2024 – The city has begun offering wound care at the center, residents say they were told at the meeting. Some suggest that could indicate they’re treating people with wounds caused by the use of the powerful sedative xylazine, which can cause skin-rotting sores. … In recent weeks, residents tell Axios, security and police presence has increased near the facility, and that a fence was installed around the building’s rear perimeter. They say they’ve also noticed an increase in trash and drug paraphernalia around the building, as well as people who…
VIDEO – THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY – May 16, 2024 – For Melissa Shelley, it all started at a coffee shop. She was in recovery from a drug addiction that crippled her life for 20 years.“The thing that took me the furthest was heroin, it started out with marijuana, I had experienced some sexual abuse as a young child … and so I didn’t know how to deal with it,” She said she lost everything to drugs, her home, her family, but she said even after jail time and recovery centers, she was still at a loss. “I had nothing…
IT’S COMPLICATED – May 16, 2024 – The bills come as California’s homelessness population is skyrocketing, having increased from about 118,000 in 2016 to more than 181,000 last year. Some critics blame and want to overturn the state’s inclusive housing policy. At the same time, as public fears about crime soar, voters in some liberal cities are putting limits on who can receive public assistance. DESPERATE FOR A way to help the tens of thousands of people living in tents, cars and RVs on California’s streets, lawmakers are attempting to upend a key tenet of the state’s homelessness policy.…
AUDIO – PLEASE DO! – May 14, 2024 – “The challenge with video games is that when we play one game, we don’t just have pleasure in that game,” says psychiatrist Alok Kanojia. “Our brain wants more, and so kids are playing a second game, a third game, a fourth game, and they really don’t want to put it away.” The topic hits close to home. Before his residency at Harvard University, Kanojia nearly flunked out of college because he was gaming too much. “I was stuck in this cycle of playing until absolute exhaustion, so that when my…
CALMER SEAS – May 12, 2024 – Laura emphasizes that she doesn’t necessarily believe there’s anything inherently wrong with alcohol, but some people do not tolerate it well. However, there is a stigma in yachting for those who choose to remain sober. Laura is creating and curating a Sober Crew Social Club platform that will harness support, connection, community, and inspiration. She plans to introduce meetups as soon as this summer, and there will most likely be popups hosted worldwide. A podcast and a new website are also in the works, hosting plenty of free resources and links to…
PRE-ORDER NOW – William Cope Moyers was a model of sober success. As his inspiring story of overcoming addiction was on its way to becoming a New York Times bestseller everyone thought he had finally achieved the redemption promised by recovery. BUT THE perfect story was already unraveling! CONTINUE@Amazon
SAVE-A-LIFE CHEAPLY – May 15, 2024 – Walgreens’ version of the drug is $34.99, according to the release, which the parent company says is “a lower price than the comparable national brand product at Walgreens stores.” … “The product is currently available online and will be chainwide in all stores by the end of the month … In a picture in the press release of what appears to be Walgreens’ packaging for their version of the drug, it says to “compare to the active ingredient in Narcan.” Narcan is the brand name of the original version of the prescription-strength…
VIDEO – ONE VERSE AT A TIME – May 11, 2024 – Julianne Griffin shares her fearless story of addiction and how she’s helping others through a virtual Taylor Swift-themed recovery group. At first glance, a Swift Steps meeting may just look like a bunch of gals having a listening party and jamming out to Taylor Swift’s newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” But, when you listen closer the members of the group are relating lyrics of songs to their own struggles with addiction. A new song off of the album is called, “Down Bad” and Griffin told the…
SWIMMING WITH WINNERS – May 13, 2024 – After celebrating 15 years of sobriety a couple of years ago, Hilary Phelps (hilaryphelps.com) realized the power of sharing her story to offer hope and encouragement to other women. She’s now a speaker, addiction recovery advocate, holistic wellness coach and yoga, meditation and breath-work facilitator. What are the biggest steps women can take to promote wellness? Find a community. We’re so pseudo ‘connected’ [via] social media, but as a culture, we’re the loneliest we’ve ever been. Nothing beats human interaction, making us feel part of something bigger than ourselves.Be mindful of…
GOOD IDEA – May 13, 2024 – It seems very cruel to me to recognize how many people are visibly struggling with drug addiction in our state and, essentially, to think that punishment will be a more effective motivator toward sobriety than providing what community support is possible. Housing, in particular, I recognize as a very complex issue, and one that Mr. McClements touched on only briefly. But people who have access to housing are far less likely to turn to drugs to avoid recognizing the pain and humiliation of sleeping on the streets (if they can even manage…
USING THE STEPS – May 15, 2024 – Michael Floyd, once a standout wide receiver for Notre Dame and the NFL, has opened up about his battle with addiction and his journey to sobriety. After a stellar college career and a promising start in the NFL, Floyd’s life took a turn following a DUI arrest in 2016. Now sober, Floyd works in real estate and assists others in overcoming addiction. Floyd plans to continue his advocacy for sobriety and work with individuals struggling with addiction, using his personal experience as a guide. He remains dedicated to maintaining his sobriety…
AUDIO – NEW KIND OF CHAMPION – May 17, 2024 – Mike Santana went through hard times in recent years, and he came out on top passing one year of sobriety. During an interview airing on Impact Santana shared the emotional moment that led to checking himself into rehab. Santana sat down with Tom Hannifan for a two-part interview session. Last week, Santana discussed his personal turmoil. Santana’s world was rocked when his father passed away in 2020. His soul was crushed to the core. It got to the point that he needed to deal with his demons. Santana…
FROM BROKER TO BROKEN – May 17, 2024 – The confessed schemers enlisted “recruiters” to pay users addicted to heroin and other drugs with “robust” private health insurance several thousand dollars to enter specific drug rehab centers in New Jersey and other states — whether they needed treatment or not, U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. They even arranged and paid for cross-country travel, he said. The company “maintained contractual relationships with drug treatment facilities around the country” and “engaged a nationwide network of recruiters” to identify and approach potential patients in New Jersey and elsewhere, Sellinger said. The schemers often…
VIDEO – AMONG OTHER THINGS – May 14, 2024 – Talk about a highway to hell. New research has found that people who commonly text and drive are concerningly associated with psychopathic behavior. Along with connections to fear of missing out and anti-social behavior, problematic smartphone users (PSU) evoked three negative traits known as the “dark triad” — narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy, which unrelated research also recently connected to drivers with deliberately loud cars. “[Problematic smartphone use] is an excellent predictor regardless of the Dark Triad personality traits,” the study authors wrote, adding a potential prescription for addressing the…
AUDIO – WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? – May 15, 2024 – “Among the allegations were multiple episodes of improperly restraining, punching, choking, physically abusing juvenile residents, handcuffing a minor resident to the bed,as well as unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature from a supervisor.” The court document goes on to detail sexual abuse allegations against staff members from 14 people who were once teenage residents at the youth rehab and detention center. In 2016, a 16-year-old boy said he was raped by a male staff member while another…
LOSING IS ALSO ADDICTIVE – May 14, 2024 – With bright, flashing lights and the rush of excitement with winning, it’s no surprise that gambling leads to a shocking, drugless high. Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the “uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life.” People who are compulsive gamblers are willing to take large risks for the chance at a win, regardless of the consequences. This includes depleting savings, hiding gambling from friends and family and even resorting to theft to support gambling. Gambling disorder, similarly to drug and alcohol addictions,…
DOES ANYBODY EVEN CARE? – May 16, 2024 – The European Union has opened a formal investigation into Meta over concerns that it isn’t doing enough to safeguard the mental and physical health of children who use its Facebook and Instagram social media platforms. Thierry Breton declaring on X that “we are sparing no effort to protect youth.” The probe announced by the European Commission on Thursday will assess whether Meta has breached rules under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), noting that Facebook and Instagram’s UI and algorithms may cause “behavioral addictions in children” and create “rabbit-hole effects.”…
VIDEO – MONEY MATTERS – May 13, 2024 -Jason Ackner, who is trying to build the facility, said competition has spread misinformation about his project. He said these were lies to convince the public and commissioners to stop the project. “That is another lie,” Ackner said. He never specified the specific company attacking his company. However, it was implied throughout the three-hour meeting that the competition is Coastal Detox. Coastal Detox, which is less than a mile away from the proposed site, performs a similar service. City commissioners announced they met with members of the company and Ike Crumpler,…
GOOD NEWS – May 15, 2024 – “There’s been a lot of billboards, newspaper ads and TV stuff surrounding naloxone — where it’s available, where people can get naloxone for free,” Zoucha said, referring to the opioid overdose reversal medication, which is also sold under the brand name Narcan. Drug overdose deaths decreased slightly last year, falling for the first time since 2018, early data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Wednesday shows. Still, overdose deaths remain extremely high. More than 107,000 people died of a drug overdose in 2023, down from roughly 111,000 in 2022,…
SAVE the CHILDREN RIGHT NOW – May 15, 2024 – Addiction is so prevalent and the effects so severe that child welfare agencies are struggling to find enough foster families to care for substance-exposed infants. Children under age 5 are the fastest-growing age group entering foster care, and about half of those kids enter out-of-home care because of parental substance use. Amid the crisis, state governments are finding ways to support the comprehensive needs of mothers in recovery while keeping their infants and young children safe. These state efforts reflect a shift in greater child welfare policy toward family…