VIDEO – I LIKE TO WATCH – Oct. 8, 2023 – The following movies are difficult to watch, and while the descriptions here won’t be graphic, the subject itself may be disturbing to some. They are nevertheless movies worth bringing up, as addiction is a human condition that affects many in various ways; sometimes as an exercise in empathy, sometimes as a cautionary tale, and sometimes as a bit of both. WATCH@Collider
Author: Leonard Buschel
NOT RIDING HIGH – Oct. 11, 2023 – Since 2016, Bikers Against Addiction has been on a mission to make a difference in the lives of those affected by addiction, particularly the children of parents in recovery. With a dedicated team led by founder and president Jessica Shaw, this organization has organized events and initiatives to support drug and alcohol recovery programs and provide Christmas gifts to children in need. One of their most heartwarming projects is the collection of new bicycles, tricycles, scooters and skateboards to be given as Christmas presents to children whose parents are on the…
“A true human is not a model of righteousness, a prig or a prude, but recognizes that some failings are as necessary to genuine human nature as salt to stew.” – Alan Watts, Jan. 6, 1915, UK – Nov. 17, 1973 Mill Valley, CA
BREAKING EVEN – Oct. 4, 2023 – If you’re contemplating where to begin, start by looking for treatment options in Ohio. Winnow down your choices by checking reviews, pricing, and finding a facility that fits your specific needs. Inquire about each facility’s treatment options, whether that be outpatient programs, detox, or recovery support and relapse prevention. Prioritizing health and sobriety sets the groundwork upon which a successful entrepreneurial comeback can be built. Accepting the Impact PsychCentral notes that coming to terms with the depth of addiction’s impact on your business is the first step toward recovery. Recognizing the potential…
WTF!!! – Oct. 2, 2023 – Safe inhalation spaces are integrated into New York City’s two authorized SCS, as will be the case with the state-authorized SCS set to open in Rhode Island in early 2024. But those services are almost never referenced by legislators or media. Stimulants are frequently injected and opioids frequently smoked, but smoking and stimulants have long been paired in the public consciousness. The stigma levied against stimulant users is a unique barrier to inhalation sites, one that persists even with the proper ventilation permits and sufficient academic evidence. Methamphetamine-involved deaths are being disastrously blown…
DEATH IS INTERNATIONAL – Sept. 28, 2023 – Developed in the field of anesthesiology, it has jumped from operating rooms to the streets and, once distributed in its illegal form, has swelled the so-called opiate epidemic, responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. In the United States alone, according to official data, 91,799 people died in 2020 from overdoses of these substances. In 2021 the figure rose to 106,699 and in 2022 these drugs were responsible for at least two thirds of the 110,000 deaths recorded from this cause. It is considered the worst health crisis in recent history, only…
AUDIO – LEGAL LIVER DAMAGE – Sept. 30, 2023 – Luckily, educating yourself on the risks of this medication is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and ensure you’re consuming it safely. “The primary concern stems from its easy accessibility and the lack of awareness about its potential toxicity among the general public,” Nanavati tells us. Unfortunately, the signs of Acetaminophen overdose may take some time to develop. “Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may not become apparent until 12-24 hours after ingestion,” she says. “Jaundice, characterized by yellow discoloration of the skin, typically emerges around the…
DUMBEST POLL EVER – Sept. 29, 2023 – Young adults (25% of 18- to 29-year-olds) were most likely to consider buying the nasal spray; respondents ages 65 and older (13%) and those who identified as politically independent or conservative (16% and 17%, respectively) were least likely. What’s stopping them? While experts have expressed reservations about the $44.99 retail cost set by manufacturer Emergent BioSolutions, only 1% of those who ruled out buying Narcan cited its cost as a deterrent. The main hesitation? Most people don’t think they will ever have cause to use it. “I don’t think I will need…
STOP THE MADNESS – Oct. 5, 2023 – The findings, published October 5, 2023 in Nature Neuroscience, helped the researchers identify a potential new treatment for cocaine addiction, a disease that is poorly understood at the molecular level and has virtually no approved pharmacological treatments. “There are some drugs that can help treat other addictions, such as those to opioids or nicotine, but there are currently no safe and effective drugs approved for cocaine addictions,” said co-senior author Francesca Telese, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “These findings help…
AUDIO – TRIPPING OUT – Oct. 4, 2023 – Many young people followed. They rode the wave of psychedelic journeys, until they didn’t. The federal government classified hallucinogens as Schedule 1 controlled substances, concluding that they had no medical benefit, and prohibited their possession, sale or use. Fifty years later, researchers at UC San Francisco began studying these substances again in carefully controlled clinical trials. They discovered, as their scientific predecessors had before, that taken in a therapeutic setting, these drugs were potentially beneficial for some confounding mental health conditions. MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) is now on the precipice…
WHAT A SAGA – Oct. 1, 2023 – I wasted a decade of my life drinking alcohol. I spent my twenties drunk. It started out as what I thought was probably normal: Partying on weekends, having a few drinks with the boys, and getting annihilated on a Friday night after a long week. But my drinking progressed. I became a daily drinker at 20, I was regularly drinking the next morning to curb my hangovers. At 22, I started drinking in the mornings as soon as I woke up. I kept a bottle of Jameson on the floor beside my…
LISTEN UP – Oct. 6, 2023 – She also spoke on the importance of meeting patients where they are. A majority of incarcerated individuals also struggle with addiction. She said correctional facilities are also addiction and mental health facilities and should be treated as such. Roy also pointed out that stigma is a major barrier to seeking help, being labeled an “addict” is socially discrediting. By changing the language used around SUD, she hopes more individuals will seek treatment and there will be less disregard from healthcare professionals who label those who suffer from addiction as “less motivated,” “violent,”…
PERFECT PAIRING – Oct. 6, 2023 – Though deVidas fears including the clip in the film will make her look like a “right bitch,” the couple agrees that it sheds an important light on an oft-overlooked aspect of addiction — the self-awareness that one needs help, despite an unwillingness to act on it. “This is what blows your mind, because they really want to get away from it — I’m talking about addicts in general, not just Peter,” deVidas says. “But it’s always about the next fix.” “Stranger in My Own Skin” also documents Doherty’s journey to recovery, as he…
VIDEO – WORTH WATCHING – Sept. 29, 2023 – Award Winning Artist Dani Wilson Stops By To Talk About Abstract Art And Her Sobriety. Abstract Art Can Contain Deep Meanings. We’ll Sit Down With An Artist Who Will Share Why. WATCH@WBOC
VISIONARIES – Oct. 4, 2023 – Ron says, “Fifteen years ago we were told by all the experts and advisors that a site like InTheRooms.com would not work. They said we would never reach 10,000 members and people would never attend meetings online. Kenny and I did not agree, so we developed ITR to bring Recovery from any and all addictions to everyone’s fingertips and to every nook and cranny around the world.” “Today we have over 1 million members in 136 countries and over 160 live online meetings a week on ITR. You can find our weekly live…
VIDEO – MUSIC HEALS – Sept. 28, 2023 – The money raised will help those struggling with addiction and is sponsored by LRADAC. It’s a substance free event. WATCH@WLTX
YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH ONE YOU’LL NEED – Oct. 1, 2023 – Acceptance Acceptance is the conscious act of embracing reality, acknowledging both the pleasant and the unpleasant aspects of life. In the context of sobriety, acceptance is not a passive resignation but a proactive step. It involves recognizing your past mistakes, your limitations, and your ability to change. The importance of acceptance in sobriety cannot be overstated. It serves as the foundation upon which all other recovery steps are built. Without acceptance, denial can persist, jeopardizing your efforts to stay sober. It allows you to face challenges head-on…
VIDEO – YOU MIGHT NEED IT – Oct. 2, 2023 – A product called kratom hits the same receptors as an opioid does, and in many states, anyone can get their hands on it. “It can be a dangerous substance because there is no clear dosing for it,” said Dr. Thomas Tobin, Chief Medical Officer at Community Hospital in Grand Junction. WATCH@NBC11News
WORKING – Oct. 6, 2023 – Overdoses killed 163 of every 100,000 people who usually worked in construction and extraction in 2020, whether they were on the job or not, making it by far the most dangerous major occupation, drug-wise. Restaurant jobs were second at 118 deaths per 100,000, according to new data from Rachael Billock, Andrea Steege and Arialdi Miniño at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where the National Vital Statistics System collects state and local data on every death in the country. This is the first time the CDC has published such comprehensive and detailed numbers…
HIGHER EDUCATION – Oct. 5, 2023 – However, the similarities in her substance use don’t last long. As Farley said, she doesn’t stop drinking. Her friends will wrap up their night, but Farley doesn’t want the party to end. “There usually comes a point where my friends will decide that enough is enough and they’re going home to get some rest,” she said. “For me, it often takes a full 24 hours before I feel ready to stop partying and stop using.” Farley said she feels like her alcohol and drug use has gotten out of control and affected…
BOOK REVIEW – Oct. 3, 2023 – Begley seems to have known everyone in Hollywood, from Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando to Bill and Hillary Clinton and iconic Los Angeles artist Ed Ruscha. He met his first wife while drinking with Tom Waits, and Harry Nilsson took him to visit John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the Dakota. “As this was my very first real encounter with a Beatle,” writes the author, “I was just trying to keep my face from crystallizing and shattering into pieces as it dropped to the floor.” He claims his only talent is that…
MORE FOOD…FOR THOUGHT – Sept. 29, 2023 – On paper, my life seemed together. My career was progressing, and I convinced myself I was happy. That lie shattered in a crash I will never forget. People ask me why I am so passionate about telling stories of recovery. My answer is pretty simple: I enjoy hearing and sharing stories that remind me of my personal recovery journey. I wanted to share a piece of that with you. My journey with addiction started in childhood. I was an overweight kid who found peace in oversized portions, using food to fill a…
IT HAPPENS TO ANY OF US – Oct. 5, 2023 – “Recovery is a gift. It’s a gift that has lasting impact and acts as a force multiplier for people who are surrounded by a person who finds recovery,” the governor said, citing estimates that 1 in 5 children are living in a household with a family member who is dealing with the disease of addiction. “Substance abuse disorders, they don’t just affect the individual struggling with addiction, but they’ve got significant impact on family members, loved ones, friends, coworkers. When a person with addiction seeks and maintains recovery,…
AUDIO – START MAKING SENSE – Oct. 3, 2023 – As a state legislator and a lifelong Sacramentan, I see the challenges our communities are facing, and it’s clear to me that we need to be doing things differently. It’s time to think outside the box on issues of public safety and the underlying problems of drug addiction. Most of us know someone suffering from addiction. Our current approach to dealing with substance use disorders is falling woefully short, especially for those in the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, many drug addicts commit crimes to support their habit — the recidivism…
GUESS WORK? – Sept. 28, 2023 – In other words, our colleagues want to fight the opioid crisis by continuing the same war on drugs — a war that for decades has destroyed the very communities it intended to help This is a fool’s errand. Research shows that simply locking up more people doesn’t deter drug use or curb overdose deaths. In reality, the practice has led to jailing mainly low-level drug users. Meanwhile, drug kingpins — who should be held accountable for profiting off of others’ pain — largely go unpunished. In other words, they’ve got it all…
CAVEAT EMPTOR – Oct. 4, 2023 – At one point, she feared she would die from the excruciating pain from the medication — often called a “miracle” drug for its weight-shedding properties, despite being created to treat type-2 diabetes. “I noticed ‘pieces’ of skin on my toilet seat and on the tissue paper when I cleaned [my genital] area,” she wrote. “I checked, and my genitals, anus, and buttocks were severely burned, some areas with charred skin,” she said. “It was as if I was exposed to sunlight for days.” The grandparent of three and doctor of medicine, who’s…
VIDEO – RICHES TO RAGS TO THE STEPS – Sept. 30, 2023 – “I was headed downhill fast. If the judge hadn’t sent me to Rikers I might not be alive,” Norman told The Post. Born in Oregon, he was living his dream in Manhattan working as a contractor at Fashion Week for eight years from 2004 to 2012 as part of the hotel chain’s sponsorship. But an addiction to methamphetamines got him blacklisted from the event for selling front-row seats to shady characters for $500 a pop, he recalled. “They said, ‘If you’re going to bring people…
QUALITY NOT QUANTITY – Oct. 6, 2023 – “The freedom, gratitude and grace that I found in being able to forgive myself for not being able to get sober because, ‘I’m a mom now.’ … I then found for so many other places in the world, a sense of forgiveness and a sense of compassion that I didn’t have for myself. That has really helped me in my sobriety,” Sweetin said. The “Full House” actress was the special guest for Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of northwest Louisiana’s annual meeting. On the stage at The Strand Theatre, Rose, CADA’s…
PROFITS BEFORE PEOPLE – Sept. 27, 2023 – “Black shavings in the chamber,” said one 2011 report that was kept from the government. “Contaminated with unknown sticky substance,” noted another three years later. By 2015, the year Philips launched the DreamStation, the company had amassed at least 25 complaints that pointed to a specific cause — the foam was falling apart. The complaints targeted some of the company’s most celebrated devices built in two factories near Pittsburgh, including ventilators for the sick and dying and the popular DreamStation for patients who suffer from sleep apnea, a chronic disorder that…
WHO LET THE VAPES OUT? – Oct. 2, 2023 – Its hypocrisy concerns—as many of us, unfortunately, have also come to expect—tobacco harm reduction. The website of the American Lung Association (ALA) is peppered with false and debunkedinformation designed to exaggerate or invent risks of vaping. While there is no combustion or smoke from vaping, the ALA has the audacity to tell people that “switching to vaping (e-cigarettes) is not quitting smoking.” But not satisfied with that, the ALA now wants the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to lie, too. “Remove language that…