Author: Leonard Buschel

IT’S A LIVING … FROM DYING – May 2, 2023 – Synthetic opioids ‒ mostly fentanyl ‒ now kill more Americans every year than the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined, feeding an argument among some politicians that the cartels should be branded terrorist organizations and prompting once-unthinkable calls for U.S. military intervention across the border. “The problem with fentanyl, as some people at the State Department told me, has to be repositioned. It’s not a drug problem; it’s a poisoning problem,” said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico. “Very few people go out deliberately looking for fentanyl.” Hope…

THE AMERICAN WAY? – May 4, 2023 – Unfortunately, our medical system in the United States is violating all four of those principles by not routinely treating substance use disorders in the criminal justice system, particularly those patients with opioid use disorder, given the increased risk of fatal overdose with opioid use disorder compared to other substance use disorders. We, ethically, can no longer stand by and watch the unnecessary suffering and death of patients with substance use disorders in the criminal justice setting. It is time to change how we treat incarcerated patients with substance use. They deserve treatment…

INSANITY – May 4, 2023 – A nonprofit group called Safehouse has been negotiating with the U.S. Justice Department, hoping to open supervised injection clinics in Philadelphia. If this measure is approved and signed into law by Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro — who has signaled disapproval of supervised drug use sites — it could permanently derail that effort. “It’s disappointing that this effort [by the state Senate] was taken,” said Ronda Goldfein, who sits on the Safehouse board of directors. Decades of research contradict the claim that supervised drug use sites foster addiction. Data shows they can be effective…

OR THE SOPRANOS? – May 4, 2023 – A crime drama that aired on AMC from 2008 to 2013, “Breaking Bad” was created by Vince Gilligan and starred Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to cooking methamphetamine to provide for his family after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Aaron Paul played Jesse Pinkman, Walter’s former student and partner in the meth business. The show was critically acclaimed, winning multiple Emmys, and is often cited as one of the best television series of all time. One of the things that makes “Breaking Bad” so great…

WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE FUNDS – May 4, 2023 – In fact, research—such as a February 2023 study published in Molecular Psychiatry—links chronic stress with an increased risk of most chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and even cognitive problems like impaired memory and learning ability. Dr. Engle adds: “Chronic stress takes its toll on our ability to stay engaged and be productive, resist infection, and sleep can suffer.” Too much stress spells out trouble for your heart, too. “A long work week, defined as greater than 55 hours a week, is associated with an estimated 35% higher risk of stroke…

PROTECT THE CHILDREN – May 2, 2023 – Vapes are only legal with a prescription in Australia, but Butler said an “unregulated essentially illegal” black market has flourished in convenience stores, tobacconists and vape shops across the country.”A so-called prescription model with next to no prescriptions, a ban with no real enforcement, an addictive product with no support to quit,” he said.The government will step up efforts to block the importation of any vaping products not destined for pharmacies and will stop the sale of vapes in retail stores. Vapes will also be required to have packaging consistent with pharmaceutical…

ONE MILE AT A TIME – May 4, 2023 – Tuff, 42, despite spending his summers on a 10-square-mile island, never really learned how to swim until he quit drinking at 32 years old when his sponsor suggested he try competing in a triathlon to add “challenge, discipline, structure and accountability into his routine.” Day by day, Ben learned how to swim and how to incorporate the fundamental principles of character that would define his sober life. He began excelling in triathlons while teaching middle school in Connecticut, but discovered the swimming part was his true passion. It also was…

LESS TURBULENCE – May 5, 2023 – The Financial Times ranked Athletic Brewing as the fourth fastest-growing company in the country in 2021, and by 2022, the company had made it onto Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential Companies, as noted by Tasting Table. “In our continued effort to provide customers with an onboard experience customized to their needs and preferences, JetBlue is proud to be the first major U.S. airline to serve non-alcoholic beer,” Mariya Stoyanova, director of product development of JetBlue said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to partner with industry leader Athletic Brewing to offer…

YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS – May 5, 2023 – “We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It’s like hunger or thirst. It’s a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing,” Murthy told The Associated Press (AP), referring to a recent 81-page report on the half of Americans who say they have experienced loneliness. “Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that’s not right. That’s why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing.” A…

LET ME TELL YOU… – May 5, 2023 – Two types of sobersplainers John Stuart Mill, in On Liberty(1859), observes that it is part of human nature for each of us to assume we are right about the goodness or rightness of our beliefs, values, and knowledge and then project these onto others. We expect others to act as we do because, well, we are right. Often with the best of intentions, people who wish well and want the best for others actively addicted or struggling with recovery feel licensed to make recommendations, claims, and judgments about what a person…

“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” — Ernest Hemingway

A FRIEND of BILL’S – April 22, 2023 – Matthew Perry “never realised” that there was a dark side to fame. The 53-year-old actor became a household name when he was cast in the NBC sitcom ‘Friends’ alongside Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, and David Schimmer in 1994 but in later years struggled with addiction and admitted that he ended up using alcohol as a mechanism for “hope”, even after “working hard” to achieve his dreams. He told Sorted magazine: “’Be careful what you wish for,” is a phrase that’s often aimed at me. Of course, my…

AUDIO – HOW MUCH GREATER? – April 28, 2023 – The New York Yankees superstar center fielder and first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee recounted his life as an alcoholic with brutal candor. Mantle admitted that because of alcohol abuse, he ended up “killing himself.” Except to other alcoholics, Mantle’s confession about how drinking kept him from living a more fulfilling life and ruptured his relationships with friends and family was shocking. Mantle began some of his mornings with what he called the “breakfast of champions,” a big glass filled with a shot or more of brandy, some Kahlúa and cream.…

VIDEO – THE MOST DANGEROUS SPECIES –  April 21, 2023 – This film follows the story of Roman (Matthias Schoenaerts), an inmate of 12 years who is nearing the end of his sentence. Roman’s been relocated to a facility in Nevada where they hope to help him make those last few productive strides before letting him go, yet due to his own fears about his behavior, Roman is reluctant to cooperate. However, he impresses his superiors after being seen successfully handling an unruly horse. As such, they enroll him in the facility’s mustang taming program: a joint initiative between the…

VIDEO – CREDITS HIS WIFE – April 24, 2023 – The “Hunger Games” star — who affectionately noted his sobriety anniversary fell on the same day he went on his first date with Lauren three years ago — said that it was “staggering” how much his life has changed between getting out of rehab to today. “It’s amazing what can happen when you decide to love yourself and commit to loving yourself and to growing every day as a human being as opposed to satiating these impulses we all have,” he shared. Friends and fans flooded the comments section to…

ON EVERY CONTINENT – April 22, 2023 – AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. The primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Usually, those who do not recover cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple programme, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. But the organisation believes those people are still not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They seem…

AMBITION? – March 8, 2023 – Craving is a strong desire to use drugs or eat. It has long been considered a key factor driving substance abuse and overeating. It is one of the criteria used for diagnosing substance use disorders. Craving is often induced by exposure to certain stimuli. In the case of overeating, these include the smell or sight of food. In the case of drugs, craving can be induced by one being in places or situations he/she associates with taking drugs or being offered drugs. This is called cue-induced craving. Earlier studies of craving have successfully relied…

VIDEO – IMPROVED MY LIFE – April 21, 2023 – Ricki Friedman is a motivational speaker, mentor, creator and top100 podcaster who has transformed thousands of lives worldwide with her no BS approach and innovative ideas. Ricki helps people take steps forward with her walking podcast, Steps Forward with Ricki, daily social media content and life-changing program, Walking Away From Weed – that’s helped thousands overcome weed addiction. Her no BS approach leaves you feeling empowered and ready to take steps forward in your life and business. Ricki Friedman is a motivational speaker, visionary, educator, and podcaster who takes you…

A YOUNG HEART OF GOLD – April 22, 2023 – He learned about service from his parents, Dr. Rabina Malik-Hamirani and Dr. Mirza Hamirani, he said. “They are both very compassionate and have taught us all to help others by their personal examples,” he said. “I hope to follow in their footsteps and help people either as a lawyer, policy maker or analyst in the future.” Malik-Hamirani also has many academic achievements, Recently, he was chosen as a candidate for the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program through the U.S. Department of Education. “It is one of the highest honors received…

SOME BEATS – April 21, 2023 – “That number is still far too high,” the governor said at his weekly news conference. “One is too many. But with the opioid epidemic, we see far, far too many.” Increased use of fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid — has been widely blamed as a key factor behind the state’s chronically high death toll from drug overdoses. The issue has risen to the forefront of this year’s campaign for governor. Republican Kelly Craft says she supports the death penalty for drug traffickers found responsible for causing a Kentuckian’s fatal overdose. Craft is…

ISN’T TOBACCO GROWN IN THE CONFEDERACY? – April 24, 2023 – African American adults have the highest percentage of menthol cigarette use compared with other racial and ethnic groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 18 million people in the U.S. smoke menthol cigarettes, but the FDA said almost 85% of Black smokers choose menthol cigarettes, compared with 30% of white smokers. Menthol, a flavor additive with a minty taste and aroma, interacts with nicotine in the brain to enhance nicotine’s addictive effects, and the combination of menthol’s flavor, sensory effects and interaction with nicotine…

VIDEO – PRAYERS AND POSITIVE VIBES –  April 26, 2023 – Bam Margera is allegedly suffering a “meltdown” due to an addiction to meth, his brother, Jess Margera, claims in a series of explosive tweets. The 44-year-old musician told a fan via Twitter Wednesday that he is trying to stay “positive” because his younger brother is the “sweetest” when he is “not messed up” but alleged that due to the MTV alum’s “meth habit, [he’s] unrecognizable & I really don’t know what he’s capable of.” Jess further claimed in the tweet that he has witnessed Bam, 43, “hallucinating” and “screaming…

VIDEO – FACING THE MUSIC – April 27, 2023 – A judge arraigned the reality star and he was then released on signature bond after bail was set at $50,000, according to court records. Margera faces a preliminary hearing in May. Margera’s attorney Michael van der Veen spoke Thursday morning as he left court with the reality star after Margera pleaded not guilty. “My client is presumed innocent,” van der Veen said. “The rumors that have been being passed around by his brother through this last week have been nothing short of defamation and that will be handled in another…

VIDEO – TAKE A LISTEN/WATCH – April 26, 2023 – “During the decade that I was making music, I hadn’t realized the toll it took on me, emotionally and physically,” he says in a press release. “I started questioning why I put myself through so much, and why I medicated myself so that I could deal with it. The addiction and Until the Ribbon breaks had become inextricably linked.” Winfield stepped away from his career completely to see how things would change, but he understood that making music was something he loved and couldn’t let go of forever. It wasn’t…

DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? – March 21, 2023 – One of the main distinguishing features between a smartwatch and a fitness band is the breadth of apps, features, and functionality available on each. Where fitness trackers mostly focus on activity tracking above all else, smartwatches can track fitness as well as act as an extension for your mobile phone. In one sense, owning a smartwatch means you have another device to ping you with constant notifications, which can increase anxiety as well as distract you. As highlighted by a psychiatrist in an article from Wockhardt Hospitals,…

LOVE HEALS ALL, SOMETIMES – April 29, 2023 – Recalling the early days of their relationship, Melanie told The Independent: “Things were crazy for a while. It got a lot easier when my husband got sober, which I’m so proud of him for, but we were not two people who were ready for a relationship at all.” The actress suggested that their unborn baby may have sparked a change in their relationship. Melanie – who announced the birth of their daughter in January 2019 – added: “We were at a bad time in our lives, but I’m so grateful to…

HOME PLANET A-OK– April 26, 2023 – The couple started spending more time together in Los Angeles in early 2018. “When you connect at a soulmate level, you naturally talk about marriage,” explains Faur. We spoke quite a few times about it, starting the summer of 2018, not long after we started dating in early May 2018.” But Aldrin jokes that he still had to woo Faur before she agreed to say “I do”. “She has a bit of a stubborn streak, so it then took me several years until she agreed to be my bride, my best beloved,” he…

“As long as I continue to do my meetings.” – April 27, 2023 – #tbt 2 years ago today I arrived on the steps of the @priorygroup… Bewildered, confused, sad, sick and very frightened. That day I took my last drink. Therefore my sobriety date is tomorrow … please god. It feels like a lifetime ago and in someways like it was yesterday. I can still remember heading into there wanting to come out a controlled drinker. A normal drinker. I had no idea how bad i actually was, and that day would be my last day of drinking. As…

STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – May, 2, 2023 – Aleksandra M. Bembnista is the founder of Glorious Recovery, a non-profit that unites, encourages, and empowers people impacted by alcohol and drug addiction. It helps them find their way to a happy, joyous, and healthy life by organizing events full of love, compassion, and support. The organization has one goal in mind, and that is to inspire people recovering from addiction to stay in recovery and go all-out for long-term recovery. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your DOC and when did you discontinue its use?A. I have been…

A SHONDA AND A SCANDAL – April 29 2023 – “The watershed was about 10 years ago, because before that doctors prescribed alternatives and there was less access to opioids. It wasn’t as easy for patients to get them as is it today,” said Prof. Nadav Davidovitch, co-author of the report and the Taub Center’s principal researcher and health policy program chair, as well as head of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s School of Public Health. The Taub Center report suggests that although the situation is dire, it is not insurmountable. Public health and addiction experts are working with the…