ADDICTS BEWARE – Jan. 29, 2026 – She said workers were finding about 20 people unconscious each night, “lying out in the cold in the street,” and suffering memory loss due to overdoses. Goodison said the workers with years of experience described it as the worst situation they had ever seen. “It’s very disturbing to workers who’ve been doing this work on the front line for a long time, and they’re describing this as very unusual,” said Goodison. The overdose victims are suspected to have succumbed to the veterinary sedative medetomidine, which the B.C. Centre for Disease Control says is…
Author: Leonard Buschel
VIDEO – STRETCH FOR LIFE – Jan. 29, 2026 – Tim Kelleher, founder of Boston Yoga Union, recently led a yoga class for staff and students from NamaStay Sober. During closing postures, he compared the Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of yoga, to the Serenity Prayer widely used in addiction recovery. “The courage to change the things I can is that discipline … wisdom to know the difference is that looking inwards, that self-study,” he said. “The acceptance of things you cannot change … is that surrender.” Yoga instructor Allison Burke took his class. She explained the mission of NamaStay…
MORE INJECTIONS TO COME – Feb. 4, 2026 – Methadone treatment for opioid use – which cuts the risk of death by overdose in half — among individuals insured by Medicaid-insured increased substantially after 2010. “These medications allow people to focus on rebuilding their lives: Finding housing, reconnecting with family, working, and managing other health conditions,” In addition to significantly reducing the chance of death by opioid use disorder, treatment with medications like methadone and the related buprenorphine—which stabilize withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings—have also been found to increase the likelihood that people will stick with their treatment plans. In…
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – Feb 5, 2026 – Returning nearly six years after releasing the alarmist Existential Reckoning, Puscifer delivers an even more dire report on Normal Isn’t, a perfect set of tunes for anyone feeling unmoored by current events and searching for some new “Normal Is.”For roughly 15 years, Maynard James Keenan, Carina Round, and Mat Mitchell have developed as a creative team, deploying Puscifer on various search-and-satire missions. But at this point the laughter is more nervous, and the stakes seem higher than ever before when it comes to critiquing the repressive order of the day. So…
STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – Feb. 17, 2026 – Brian Delate has been in continual recovery since 1988. He served as a decorated non commissioned officer in the Vietnam War, and has had a rewarding career in theatre, film and TV. At present, he is bringing the film version of his solo show Guardian Angels to the world. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?A. Mostly alcohol. Marijuana and cocaine sometimes. 19 Nov 1988.Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?A. All the tools…
VIDEO – THE GREAT DUVALL – February 16, 2026 – Robert Duvall, the commanding and supremely versatile actor who earned a lasting place in American movie history as a stoic Mafia consigliere in “The Godfather,” a surf-loving Army colonel in “Apocalypse Now” and a washed-up country crooner in “Tender Mercies,” died Sunday. He was 95. Duvall died peacefully in his home in Middleburg, Virginia, with his wife at his side, according to a statement from his family. He did not want a formal service, so his family encouraged fans to honor his memory by “watching a great film, telling a good story around…
VIDEO – WATCH AND LEARN – Jan. 29, 2026 – For many, the idea of going alcohol‑free feels daunting. But for spiritual growth coach Amanda Kuda, elective sobriety isn’t about deprivation — it’s about awakening your fullest potential. Her work centers on helping high‑achieving, spiritually curious women shift from “sober curious” to living a deeply aligned, alcohol‑free life. According to her website, Amanda explains that women who choose to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol are “not just quitting drinking — they’re stepping into their most powerful selves.” Amanda says her own journey begins when she removes alcohol from her life…
WE DON’T DRINK ANYMORE – January 21, 2026 – Charlie Puth reflected on his decision to stop drinking alcohol four years ago, detailing how the turning point came after a bad experience in New York City. “It was right before the third album [2022’s Charlie] was about to come out, and I was like, ‘I’m just gonna have a rager.’ I woke up with the worst hangover I’ve ever felt in my life. It lasted for, I think, two days.” However, his piercing hangover wasn’t the only reminder of his session. The “How Long” star also “saw pictures of myself…
SUCCESS STORY – Feb. 4, 2026 – Actress Maia Campbell has seen her struggles and triumphs well-documented over the last several years. On the latest episode of the “85 South Show,” the “In The House” actress revealed she had reached a milestone and how she’s pushing forward. “I’m six years clean,” Campbell told Karlous Miller & Co around the 27-minute mark of the episode, leading to applause from everyone in the room. “I was doing the most, I was getting lit, I was doing too much.” She added, “I don’t wanna trigger anyone by saying what I was doing, because…
VIDEO – REHABING THE REHABS – Feb. 3, 2026 – U.S. Health Secretary is pushing for a major reform in the US addiction treatment system. He emphasizes moving away from rehab models that profit from patients struggling repeatedly and focusing on outcome-based care that ensures real recovery. The new system aims to hold providers accountable and provide continuous support, helping patients succeed in their journey to sobriety. Read More
WHO HASN’T? – Feb. 12, 2026 – Kennedy, who has been in recovery for 43 years, revealed that after the meetings were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he and other members would meet in private. He explained that they formed a “pirate” group that met in person.Kennedy has said his addiction began in the months after his father, Robert F. Kennedy Sr., was assassinated in 1968, USA Today reports. He said his first experience was when he took the hallucinogen LSD at a party and then took opioids while he was walking home from the party. “They said,…
NO SHAME – Jan. 30, 2026 – January 2016, a decade ago this week, was the last time I drank. Not that I knew it was the last drink at the time. “Never again” was as much part of my vocabulary as “shall we get another?” (a rhetorical question). I didn’t really mean to stop drinking and taking drugs, mostly because I didn’t think I could. Getting wasted, blacking out, tears, tumbles, unexplained bruises, strangers’ kitchen tables at dawn: it wasn’t just what I did—it was who I was. Until it wasn’t. That January I finally hit my “rock-bottom,” which…
TICK TOCK DIE – Feb. 6, 2026 – ANNALEE SCHOTT USED to live in rural Colorado where the farm, the barn, and the horses were her happy place. But online she was drawn into a dark world. The 18-year-old’s TikTok algorithm allegedly presented her with content—including a live suicide on her For You page… In 2020, Annalee died by suicide. Six years later, Lori is one of the approximately 1,600 plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits from all over the country alleging that Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube built addictive products which led the children to depression, self-harm, and other mental…
AUDIO – THE ELDERLY ENDURE – Jan. 28, 2026 – The average U.S. life expectancy hit an all-time high in 2024, according to the NCHS data, as the nation continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and deaths from drug overdoses continued to decline. The new high surpasses the last peak in life expectancy in 2019, and it’s the highest since the government started tracking this in 1900. “It’s good news,” says Robert Anderson, the chief of the statistical analysis and surveillance branch in the division of vital statistics at the NCHS, a unit of the Centers for Disease Control…
LEGALIZE ALL OF THEM – Jan. 29, 2026 – These lived realities reveal substance use; whether cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal drugs as a response to trauma, exhaustion, or exclusion. Yet our legal framework continues to treat drug use as a criminal issue; responding with arrest and punishment where protection, and treatment are needed. This is where harm reduction enters the conversation, not as a permissive stance, but as a practical, compassionate approach. Despite misinterpretation, harm reduction doesn’t mean encouraging drug use. Instead, it requires us to ask better questions, shifting from punishment to protection and recognizing that people who use…
STEP ONE – Feb. 5, 2026 – David wanted to convey a message of hope. “Most people when they’re faced with an addiction whether it’s a big one — you know alcohol, drugs, lust, gambling, whatever — get to a point where (they’re) desperate and there’s no hope,” David said. “Because most people don’t believe that there’s somebody else out there that’s just like them … There’s a program that is established that has gotten millions of people to recovery. There’s hope.” Learning to surrender, over and over again, is how David Smock maintains his sobriety. Smock describes himself as…
“No one should negotiate their dreams. Dreams must be free to fly high……….” – Rev. Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026
Hi ALEX – Jan. 22, 2026 – AJ McLean said his sobriety was already secure, he realized he needed to explore the emotional roots of his addictive behaviours and, in doing so, separate his true self from his pop star persona. He explained: “My sobriety was on lock, but I wanted to dig a little deeper and find out what was at the root of my addiction. The singer, whose full birth name is Alex James McLean, said the process taught him the importance of boundaries — something he admitted he had rarely practised before. He added: “And so going…
ANY VACANCIES? – Jan. 6, 2026 – Sober Apartments of America (SAA) today announced the launch of its premium sober living communities, introducing a new standard in recovery housing designed specifically for young professionals seeking sustained sobriety without compromising their lifestyle or career ambitions. The program addresses a significant need in the recovery landscape: high-quality sober living environments that support long-term abstinence while meeting the expectations of career-focused individuals. Studies show that structured sober living significantly improves recovery outcomes, yet traditional models often fail to accommodate the needs and preferences of younger, professionally driven populations. Sober Apartments of America’s approach…
TRIPPING SOBERLY – Jan. 13, 2026 – Historically, it has been a refuge, resistance, and chosen family – spaces where safety, visibility, and connection were possible when they weren’t elsewhere. Substances, for many, became part of that ecosystem not out of recklessness, but out of a very real need to manage anxiety, soften hypervigilance, or feel at ease in one’s own body. There’s no moral judgment in that reality. But coping mechanisms (no matter how understandable) can eventually stop working. What once offered relief can quietly become a ceiling. More and more LGBTQ+ adults are asking a different question now:…
VIDEO – REAL CONVERSATION – Jan. 22, 2026 – Emma Metcalfe has spent years recovering from alcoholism but now runs her own charity to help others living with addiction. Read More
A GOOD MAN – Jan. 21, 2026 – District Attorney Ricky Babin announced in a news release that the individuals have been recognized for their successful completion of the program, which was implemented in 2019 to address the needs of non-violent defendants who suffer from drug addiction. Ascension Parish government funds the program, which has been led by Assistant District Attorneys Charles Long and Robin O’Bannon. Judge John Smith presides over the matters. During the course of the program, offenders are required to maintain sobriety, steady employment and follow guidelines on a case-by-case basis. The district covers Ascension, Assumption and…
AUDIO – BRAVO! – Jan. 21, 2026 – This week on The Dish, we’re sharing a story that originally aired on Stateside from Michigan Public. Host April Baer sat down with Max Schikora, the bar manager at Echelon Kitchen and Bar in Ann Arbor. He’s quietly redefining what a thoughtful, spirit-free cocktail can be. Max is known for his creativity behind the bar, but he’s also sober. And that might seem impossible in an industry built around alcohol. Max talked about the pressures of bar culture, the turning point that led him toward sobriety, and how he’s learned to craft…
IRONY – Jan. 22, 2026 – Courtney Robinson credits Greg Gardner, a peer recovery coach with the Georgia Council for Recovery, with helping her decide to get treatment for her alcohol addiction despite her fears about losing her nursing license. Healthbeat spoke to five nurses who have experienced addiction and to representatives of recovery organizations. They described how Georgia’s disciplinary system deterred them from seeking early treatment for fear of losing their licenses and their jobs. That’s because to get or renew a license, nurses must report treatment for alcohol or substance abuse within the past five years on the…
VIDEO – CRIMINAL!!! – Jan. 22, 2026 – A mother of one of the children who participated in the so-called “challenge” is sharing her story while warning others about what turned into a scary situation. According to the Ohio mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, the social media trend encourages kids to take large amounts of Benadryl to induce hallucinations. “She was grabbing at things that weren’t there. She was seeing things, she was hallucinating,” the mother said about her daughter’s behavior. Bowling Green police responded Monday to Gypsy Lane Estates for a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old who reportedly overdosed…
AUDIO – IT’S AN ILLNESS NOT A CRIME – Jan. 23, 2026 – “Recovery starts with keeping people alive long enough to get help,” Nelson said. As lawmakers prepare to make those funding decisions, they are also considering new treatment options. The House passed legislation allowing state-regulated clinical trials of Ibogaine, a psychedelic drug researchers are studying as a potential treatment for severe and treatment-resistant addiction. “Working alongside people in treatment and recovery has reinforced that substance use disorder is a medical condition and that recovery looks different for every individual,” Foster said. “Nobody’s path is the same.” … But…
THROUGH PRAYER and MEDITATION – Jan. 23, 2026 – Buhr said her childhood was shaped by loneliness. In her adolescence, she said she was pulled into methamphetamine addiction by a close family member and also suffered violence by people close to her. In adulthood, she spent time in prison on drug convictions for using and dealing methamphetamine and lost custody of her three children. Amy Keck, clinical director of substance use programs at The Bridge, explained the generational cycle of addiction and domestic violence starts with parents or guardians. Oftentimes parents who are addicts still want to build a relationship…
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER/FORGET – Jan. 6, 2026 – McGibbon said after disclosing her drug use to health professionals in 2020 she was referred to a community addiction team who “gave me a worksheet and sent me home”, prompting her to seek her own inpatient support services. “I booked into a B&B. The only thing around me was fields and cows and the loveliest woman running this B&B.” “I was violently ill. I was sweating. I was cold. I was shaking. I was vomiting for about four or five days.” McGibbon said a GP warned her of the dangers of…
HE SHOULD KNOW – Jan. 25, 2026 – By David Stern – Addiction is an overwhelming problem. About 20% of the US population suffers from addiction to drugs/alcohol. Unfortunately, only 10-20% of those are receiving treatment. I have worked in this area establishing one of the first addiction science centers, later as founder of an addiction medicine practice.. As a boarded addiction medicine physician, I have personally witnessed our society’s treatment gaps and failures. Inadequate treatment degrades quality of life and contributes to deaths. Treatment gaps occur because of stigma, cost, inadequate resources, and ignorance. This piece is intended to…
SOUL SACRIFICE – Jan. 26, 2026 – On April 18, 2005, a Canadian woman named Rani Jamieson gave birth to a healthy boy. It was an unremarkable pregnancy but a painful delivery; a doctor had to use surgical scissors to make room for her son’s head. Afterward, the doctor prescribed her Tylenol No. 3, which combines the mild opioid codeine with acetaminophen. Rani’s newborn son weighed almost eight pounds and had perfect neonatal scores. “He seemed very—like an old soul,” she told a Canadian news outlet. She and her husband, Douglas, named him Tariq. He was their only child. The…