Author: Leonard Buschel

WATCH – “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC – MUSHROOMS?” – June 3, 2021 – Some cities in the U.S. including Oakland and Santa Cruz, have already effectively decriminalized possession of magic mushrooms. And Oregon voters last year went a step further, approving a ballot measure to decriminalize the personal use of hard drugs in what advocates hailed as “the biggest blow to the war on drugs to date.” But while the bill has received support from veterans and drug advocacy groups, it also has its share of opposition. One opponent of the legislation is Tak Allen, the president of the…

WATCH – HE ‘GOT BACK UP’ – May 28, 2021 – Depression, anxiety and alcoholism led to the end of Montee Ball’s NFL career. Now in recovery, he’s mentoring others who are fighting the same battles. more@YahooNews

WATCH – BACK ON THE WAGON – June 3, 2021 – However, the former MTV star said it didn’t take long for her addiction issues to spiral out of control. “Very quickly, it went from Vicodin to Percocet, from Percocet … to heroin, eventually, because it was cheaper,” she said. “I got caught buying it, and then the very next day, my mom put me in rehab.” Osbourne, who is the daughter of rocky Ozzy Osbourne and former “The Talk” co-host Sharon Osbourne, said she was barely ever sober at the height of her addiction. “I never went to…

YOU ARE THE WAVES –   June 3, 2021 – Not a trait or a practice, mindfulness is instead a state of being. Here are some of the common takeaways they found: Reduced Rumination. In 2008, participants of a 10-day meditation retreat reported fewer symptoms related to depression, including overthinking and a lack of focus, compared to a control group. Stress Reduction. A 2010 meta-analysis of 39 studies based on mindfulness stress reduction found that the practice was useful to promote the change of processes that are associated with clinical diagnoses. Boost in Working Memory. During an eight-week mindfulness retreat in early 2010, one military…

GARGANTUAN LOSS – May 29, 2021 – That was how I found myself invited to dinner with the neighbours. People were asking about Amy. I tried to hold everything in but I got upset. It was Jagger who comforted me. ‘Don’t worry, man, she’ll be all right. People in that world go through this sort of thing.’ I’d never met any of these people before. All I knew was Mick was a rock star who’d been through everything, who knew all about drugs and fame. He was saying to me: calm down, this is normal, Amy’s a rock star, too,…

“It’s best to give while your hand is still warm.” —Philip Roth

LISTEN – WHO HAS THE GOLD, MAKES THE LAW – June 2, 2021 – In addition to contributing money from their personal fortunes, the Sacklers have agreed to give up control of Purdue Pharma. They will, however, retain ownership of other companies, admit no wrongdoing and will remain one of the wealthiest families in America. Two dozen states still oppose the bankruptcy deal that’s been negotiated largely behind closed doors. They argue it would improperly strip them of authority to sue members of the family for alleged wrongdoing. “I don’t believe … at this point the plan is confirmable,” said…

HAPPY, JOYOUS AND ROCKIN’ OUT – May 28, 2021 – Addiction and recovery stories — both the triumphs and tragedies — are among the most common narratives in popular music, but Einhorn saw that, while there were resources like Alcoholics Anonymous and MusiCares that could help musicians get sober, more practical support was lacking. The founder of bands like Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Fashion Brigade — and a host for Pitchfork Radio, Sonos Radio, and the Talkhouse Podcast — Einhorn had been toying with one idea for how to fill this vacuum, and in 2018 he posited it…

SHAKING UP THE STATUS QUO – May 18, 2021 – “The people who power Hazelden Betty Ford are mission-driven, compassionate and empathetic, and are primed to make the organization more equitable and accessible,” said Mark Mishek, president and CEO at Hazelden Betty Ford, the nation’s largest nonprofit system of addiction treatment, co-occurring mental health care, recovery resources and related prevention and education services. “Andrew’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has deep roots, and I am humbled that he is bringing his experience, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness to help us to reach more people affected by addiction, and to do so…

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE –   May 28, 2021- “We’ve been told that we’ve had to stay six feet away, and then three feet away, and then we can all of a sudden be back together. And that’s not how human beings work. We don’t just change on a dime and decide that it’s OK for us to do something different when we’ve been told we’ve had to do something one way for so long, and it’s been fear-based. “A lot of people are dealing with body image issues. They’re dealing with agoraphobia,” said the clinical director of…

EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW – May 27, 2021 – The Senate on Thursday passed House Bill 88, which would provide that a conviction for a drug crime would not make an Illinoisan ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services. Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, a Chicago Democrat, said during floor debate the bill aims to end “punishment of people who have served their time.” “We know that individuals re-entering…

BOOK REVIEW – May 25, 2021 – The book recognizes chemical dependency as a universal outcry and struggle for the addict, family and friends. It demonstrates how chemical dependency is widespread just like the sky, all over the world. Chemical dependency is classified as a mental health disorder. The dilemma of chemical dependency can be an innocent curiosity leading to disaster as it is like a sharp piercing blade that stabs the mind/brain. Alarming fact, chemical dependency can begin at youth. Chemical dependency is not reserved for the young or old. It can start at any age. When chemical…

HORRIFYING – May 26, 2021- According to a study by researchers from UCLA, Northeastern University and the University of Utah, the largest increases were among Black Americans (50.3%) and Latinos (49.7%). Spikes were also most pronounced in low-income neighborhoods (46.4%) and in the five states — Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington — that border the Pacific Ocean (63.8%). Public health authorities had expected a sharp increase in overdoses during the pandemic because of the social isolation created by stay-at-home orders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously published data on overdose deaths during the early stages of…

WATCH – FOR THE LOVE OF LIFE – May 27, 2021 – While all women are welcome, including those who identify as transfeminine, 82 per cent of people using the site identify themselves as Indigenous. “There is a higher group of First Nations women that access the space.” Indigenous people in B.C. have been hard hit by the overdose crisis, which is being fuelled by toxic drugs like fentanyl. New data from the province’s First Nations Health Authority shows a 119-per-cent increase in First Nations illicit overdose deaths since the start of the pandemic. “The data underscores the immense…

BREAKING NEWS! – May 2021 – “[The budget includes] … a new 10 percent set aside within the SABG for recovery support services in order to significantly expand the continuum of care both upstream and downstream. This new set-aside will support the development of local recovery community support institutions (i.e. recovery community centers, recovery homes, recovery schools, recovery institutions, recovery ministries; develop strategies and education campaigns, trainings, and events to reduce addiction/recovery-related stigma and discrimination at the local level; provide addiction treatment and recovery resources and support system navigation; make accessible peer recovery support services that support diverse populations and…

WATCH – THERE ARE NO DRUG CRIMES, ONLY DRUG POLICY CRIMES –   May 27, 2021 – “There needs to be a massive expansion of medically assisted treatment, and we need to restore mandatory treatment as an alternative to jail and prison,” he said. In the crowd, people had differing political viewpoints and opinions on ways to address it and who to blame. Some shared their own stories. “My sister lost her son last year to fentanyl,” one person said. “He was 36 years old.” They also shared concerns. “We need help from the federal and state government,” Supervisor Matt…

IT’S LIKE WE’RE ALL NEWCOMERS…AGAIN! – May 27, 2021 – “There’s a sense of anticipatory anxiety around re-navigating and reintegrating — an excitement and trepidation at the same time, and the fears around, ‘Will I be able to cope?’” said psychologist John Kelly, the Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of Massachusetts General Hospital Recovery Research Institute. Torn between embracing your pandemic looks and changing them? Here’s how to feel your best. While some people may argue that addiction and reentry anxiety do not share the same level of urgency, “There are always more…

STOP DRINKING? – May 28, 2021 – If you start doing a lot of cocaine, you’re going to get sober very, very, very quickly.’ Turns out, he was right.” However, Moby admits that that particular rock star trapping came at the expense of another. “Cocaine definitely is a baffling sex drug,” he recalls. “Who knows what mechanism it employs that makes … What’s the … The heart is willing, but the flesh is weak. Every time you buy cocaine, the dealer should say, ‘The heart is willing, the flesh will be very, very weak.’” Speaking of flesh, the vegan pop…

LIGHT AT THE END OF A ‘DEAD’ END POLICY – May 28, 2021 – “My addiction doesn’t stem from something that I wanted to do,” she said. “If you take away the addiction, would you still do those things? No, I wouldn’t. People who don’t know that have never experienced that for themselves, they’re very judgmental. Humans are very harsh, very, very harsh.” Her addiction began with several injuries when she was in high school and college. “I shattered my collarbone and I had 7 surgeries,” she said. That was after having multiple foot surgeries as well. Prescribed painkillers…

NO MORE RAINDROPS – May 29, 2021 – “Ever since the beginning I’ve tried to do positive music, even though it has meant a lot of struggles against record companies and producers,” he said in a 2006 interview with Pentecostal Evangel, a Christian magazine. “I want my music to have a positive effect on people. When I perform live I hope the audience will leave with their heads lifted up.” Mr. Thomas launched his solo career with an uncharacteristically downcast single, a cover of Hank Williams’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” that he initially recorded with the Triumphs, a…

MUSICAL INTERLUDE – May 31, 2021 – “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” song by BJ THOMAS, who died on May 29, 2021. more@YouTube

A SOBER CELEBRATION! –  May 30, 2021 – The picnic was started 70 years ago to bring together alcoholics and their families and continues to this day. The virtual afternoon includes a look back at previous picnics, presentations on the history of AA and Al-Anon and an update from Stepping Stones. Don’t miss hearing the dramatic play reading, Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters featuring rare music and material from the archives. Last will be speakers from both fellowships, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-anon & Ala-teen. For more information and to register, click HERE

DOWNERS ARE OK? –  May 30, 2021 – in March 2020, American dropped alcoholic beverage service and cut back service of soft drinks, juices, snacks and foods during the coronavirus pandemic to limit contact between flight attendants and passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration has reported more than 2,500 reports of passenger misbehavior this year. more@FoxBusiness

NOT THE ONLY WAY – May 25, 2021 – He also revealed he would wake up during surgery following his accident as his tolerance to opioids was so high. The star underwent 26 surgeries and multiple skin grafts after suffering burns to 60 percent of his body – while he was also told by doctors that there was a risk he wouldn’t be able to recover full use of his movements and had to be taught how to walk again. He said: “I was told I wasn’t going to run again because I had so many grafts on my…

STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – May 28, 2021 – Chantal Jauvin is the author of three books. Where We Begin, A collection of stories written by the students based on their personal experiences which focus on small acts of heroism; The Boy With A Bamboo Heart, the inspiring story of Dr Amporn Wathanavongs. Orphaned at 5 in a remote village in rural Thailand, he grew up to create a charity from his own retirement pension so children would know the dignity of basic education; and Love Without Martinis, a book which chronicles the fears, joys, setbacks, and triumphs of couples…

WATCH – KEEP COMING BACK – May 24, 2021 – This pandemic year has been very challenging for those who struggle with substance use disorder. Those who help people on the path forward say they’re especially concerned about relapse rates. “We have a bigger epidemic going on besides drug addiction and COVID,” said Andrew Murray, a client at Reset Ministries. For the second time in less than a year, Murray is now enrolled in Reset Ministries. “This place gave me hope, and hope is a powerful thing,” said Murray. He’s one of several in the faith-based sober living program trying…

WATCH – LOCK US UP – May 25, 2021 – You can’t tell the story of Matthews without talking about the War on Drugs. “People were making a lot of money but people was also losing a lot of their livelihoods from the drugs,” recalls Matthews. Growing up in north Portland in the 1980s, drugs ran rampant in his community.”I felt like that was the way to go to get the American dream; to sell drugs to get the money, I could buy the American dream,” he says. “But for me it became the American nightmare because what I thought…

IT’S INSANE – May 25, 2021 – One popular explanation blames “deinstitutionalization”: the emptying of state psychiatric hospitals that began in the 1950s. When the hospitals were shut down, the story goes, patients were discharged with no place to get psychiatric care. They ended up on the streets, eventually committing crimes that got them arrested. As a result, jails and prisons essentially became the new asylums. It’s an idea with roots in a theory developed in the 1930s by a British psychiatrist, Lionel Penrose, who argued that there was an inverse relationship between the number of people held in…

BOOK REVIEW – May 28, 2021- Tim had wrestled in high school at 270 pounds, and at 23, he was still gigantic, living at home, sleeping through the days and spending nights in the basement lifting weights while his psychosis was slowly dominating him. He saw coins floating before his eyes. He tossed salt on his parents as they slept. And he struggled, in his mind quite literally, with devils he communicated with via Google. On the morning of his mother’s death, he warned her that those devils were winning. “Something bad is going to happen,” he told her in…

HEALING THE NEW NORMAL – May 27, 2021 – The program offers inpatient treatment and outpatient programs in several states, which switched to teletherapy when the pandemic began. That has continued, though some in-person treatment has resumed. “We’ve seen an increase across the board” in patients of all races and ages, even young kids, she said. That includes LGBTQ people, who tend to have higher rates of eating disorders than other groups. Women and girls are more commonly affected than men. Peyton Crest, an 18-year-old from Minnetonka, Minn., says she developed anorexia before the pandemic but has relapsed twice…