The Ultimate Call Center – Nov. 16, 2020 – Investigators also tapped Bryant’s phone and allegedly recorded him angered at one dealer’s lagging sales. “I don’t know what it is, if it’s just today or what?” Bryant, 31, is quoted as saying in the complaint. “That’s what I think it is man,” someone replies. Bryant allegedly then said that sales “start falling off” when that dealer was manning the phone. “I feel it in the pockets,” he said, according to the complaint. Bryant also had trouble remembering his hotline’s staff schedule, prosecutors said. “You just gotta call and remind me…
Author: Leonard Buschel
Queen and Sober – November 13, 2020 – April Wozny: Tell us what is was like when you drank/used and what happened when you discovered the moment you realized you needed to get sober. Boa: When I first started doing drag, I was the drunkest queen at the show. It started giving me issues in my day to day life. Coke was very accessible. It escalated slowly over the years. A few months before I got sober, I knew I wanted to do it. My partner got sober so it was easier to get sober. Tiffany Boxx: When I first…
The ice isn’t the only thing that’s thin – November 9, 2020 – She believed — and quite honestly was conditioned to believe — that in order to succeed in pairs skating, she had to shrink herself down to the tiniest possible size While figure skating culture pressures mens’ and ladies’ athletes to whittle down their weight to the bare minimum, the burden on pairs and ice dance competitors is even more extreme. These disciplines, which require the man to lift, throw and catch the lady sometimes hundreds of times per day, require both partners to be strong but…
Nothing compares to a few – Nov. 10, 2020 – “I grew up with a lot of trauma and abuse. I then went straight into the music business. And never learned really how to make a normal life,” she wrote in a string of messages. “Never took proper time to heal. Wasn’t ready to either.” She went on to apologize to her fans, but noted that the year has been “very traumatic.” “If I take this time to heal, I will be fit for a lifetime of touring. If I don’t, I won’t,” she added. “If you knew the six…
Smoke two joints in the morning… – November 9, 2020 – Here are all the answers to the drug policy questions you no longer need to be (as) afraid to Google on your work computer. So … can I legally do/carry meth in Oregon now, or what? How about cocaine and heroin? Short answer: No. Long answer courtesy of Sutton: No, but thanks to Oregon’s Measure 110, you won’t face criminal charges if you use or possess “personal use” quantities of these substances. Those quantities are: Heroin: One gram or lessCocaine: Two grams or lessMDMA/ecstasy: Less than one gram,…
There’s no ‘How-To’ guide – November 10, 2020 – A Nielson survey found that alcohol sales rose 54% at the start of the pandemic in early March. And last month, a new study published in the JAMA Network Open found that alcohol consumption had increased by 14% compared with a year ago, including 17% for women. The study also showed a 41% increase in heavy drinking for women (defining heavy drinking as four or more drinks within a couple of hours). I get it: I used to drink socially to cope with stress, and a global pandemic is about as…
WATCH – Back Vonn Top – November 9, 2020 – Lindsey Vonn is getting real about her past struggles with self-esteem. In a virtual interview with Access Hollywood’s Kit Hoover, the retired Olympic champion opened up about the pressure she felt to lose weight at the height of her skiing career. She explained, “I had a lot of anxiety and body image issues when I came on the red carpet because I was, you know, 30, 40, 50 pounds heavier than everyone that I was standing next to … There were definitely moments where I sacrificed a bit of my…
Portrait of an Alcoholic – Nov. 10, 2020 – The actor, 43 – whose battle with alcoholism has been well documented over the years – is believed to have had a ‘solo and minor’ car accident at around 5pm on Sunday. Meyers also publicly apologised to his fans in 2015 for a ‘minor relapse’ after pictures surfaced of him on a street drinking straight from a bottle of vodka. In July 2018 the star vowed to stay sober after being detained following a drunken row with his wife Mara Lane onboard a plane. DailyMail.com exclusively reported the Bend It…
WATCH – The pressure was on – Nov. 10, 2020 – Actor Keith Thibodeaux landed the role of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s son Little Ricky in 1955. With the birth of the most famous sitcom couple’s child being in the national spotlight, Desi Jr. was thrown off balance seeing his parents call another boy their son. “I can still remember watching the show when I was about three and wondering who was the baby with Mommy and Daddy,” Desi Jr. told Coyne Steven Sanders and Tom Gilbert in their book Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.…
Suffer the little children – November 13, 2020 – “Many mental disorders commence in childhood, and mental health concerns in these age groups might be exacerbated by stress related to the pandemic and abrupt disruptions to daily life associated with mitigation efforts, including anxiety about illness, social isolation, and interrupted connectedness to school,” the authors wrote. “Many mental disorders commence in childhood, and mental health concerns in these age groups might be exacerbated by stress related to the pandemic and abrupt disruptions to daily life associated with mitigation efforts, including anxiety about illness, social isolation, and interrupted connectedness to…
WATCH – There goes the neighborhood – Nov. 14, 2020 – “To see someone shooting dope and not caring who is around … That’s a hard pill to swallow,” Harlem resident Sherzon Green told CBS2’s Cory James. And hard for Green to understand. She says crime is growing in her community of almost 30 years and that it has become a dumping ground for addicts. “What about the other communities? What about in the 70s? What about on 86th Street, 96th Street? Why do they always bring them to our community?” Green said. Syderia Asberry-Chresfield is co-founder of the Greater…
“It’s good knowing that glasses are to drink from; the bad thing is not knowing what thirst is for.” —Antonio Machado
MEDIA: Film Recommendation After binge watching Netflix’s mini-series QUEEN’S GAMBIT, which I enjoyed tremendously, I listened to a rare interview with the author, Walter Tevis, who also wrote The Hustler, The Color of Money, and The Man who Fell to Earth. In the interview, Tevis only makes a passing reference to the main character’s addiction to tranquilizers and her drinking. His primary intention was exploration of female intelligence with her being a child prodigy gifted in playing chess. For those whose primary interest is the book and TV adaptation’s treatment of addiction, Queen’s Gambit presents a most upbeat and empowering finale.…
Can’t Touch This – November 10, 2020 – The boxing legend, 54, explained on his “Hotboxin’ ” podcast this week how he faked his way through drug tests — and his strategy is a pissah. “It was awesome, man,” Tyson said of using a prosthetic penis equipped with a pee bag to pass urine assessments. “I put my baby’s urine in it.” Tyson chose to fill his device — called a Whizzinator— with his child’s urine instead of his wife’s for fear hers would show up pregnant, he told UFC vice president of athletic health and performance Jeff Novitzky. “One…
Exposing the Truth – November 7, 2020 – The billionaire Sackler family is known for donating millions of dollars to museums and cultural institutions around the world. The Mariah App, however, calls attention to their ownership of Purdue Pharma, which they are relinquishing under a bankruptcy proposal. The pharmaceutical company made and marketed the prescription painkiller OxyContin. Mariah Lotti was addicted to opioids and died of an overdose in 2011. She was 19. Artists Adam DelMarcelle and Heather Snyder Quinn created the app as part of what they call a “virtual hacking of space with memorials to the countless lost hidden in plain sight.”…
WATCH – Spilling her guts – Nov. 6, 2020 – The admin worker, from Melbourne, revealed that her 20 drinks a night means she often wakes up shaking – which can happen when alcohol leaves the body and causes the nervous system to become hyperactive. To combat this, Heidi swigs the wine she hides in her wardrobe every morning to ease the side-effects of her heavy drinking. Describing how she feels stuck in a vicious cycle, she added: “There’s this idea that if you are addicted to whatever it is, you’re to be shamed so I don’t say anything. “I…
Caterpillar into Butterfly – Nov. 2, 2020 – “I spent most of my life battling a sugar addiction and like most Americans, I was obese as a result. Once I had detoxed myself from sugar and carbs, I was able to see more clearly which carbs were good for my body and which ones were bad. For instance, in order for me to build muscle, I had to learn which carbs could be beneficial to me. Today, I eat my good carbs in portions. Things like sweet potatoes, beans, oatmeal and rice.” He continued: “I eat them sparingly and portioned…
It’s the hugs that can’t be replaced – Nov. 1, 2020 – Shared on Facebook by Mat Ross, he details how he came across a stack of sobriety coins at the Big Apple location on Cottage Road in South Portland. Ross says he placed the coins in some rubbing alcohol to clean them, only to realize that they date back more than 6 years ago. Without knowing whom they belong to, Ross feared that they were mistakenly left behind by someone who cherishes them as a token of accomplishment. If that is the case, he wants to return them…
Side effects might include God – Nov. 4, 2020 – Over the last few years promising preliminary research has shown psilocybin to potentially be effective in helping terminal cancer patients manage end of life anxiety. Initial psilocybin trials focusing on depression concentrated specifically on treatment-resistant depression – a clinical classification that categorizes patients suffering from MDD who have not responded effectively to at least two different pharmacological antidepressant treatments during a current depressive episode. MDD is much more common, with some estimates suggesting over 300 million people worldwide suffer from the debilitating condition. While a larger Phase 2 trial testing…
Time to share – Nov. 6, 2020 – Ashley’s powerful legacy of treating each patient with dignity and respect together with its innovative clinical advancements have placed it at the forefront of the addiction and substance use disorder treatment industry. Under Nassef’s leadership, Ashley has maintained its position among the world’s leading treatment facilities. “Looking back on my time at Ashley, I am so proud of everything we have accomplished,” said Nassef. “Ashley was founded 38 years ago on a co-leadership structure with a mission to be the leader in patient care. With that in mind, our goal was to…
WATCH – Time will tell – Nov. 6, 2020 – Oregon has become the first state to decriminalize hard drugs like heroin and cocaine. Drug Policy Alliance Executive Director Kassandra Frederique explains how this move will help decrease drug addiction in the state by offering avenues to support and treatment… more@NBCPhilly
Canada – Where Human Life Still Matters – Nov. 6, 2020 – “For the first time in Alberta’s history, publicly funded addiction treatment will be extended to all Albertans,” says Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan. “Previously, people struggling with addiction could only access residential addiction treatment if they received Alberta Supports or paid privately. We are giving all Albertans – regardless of their financial situation – the opportunity to recover and build a better life. Recovery is for everyone.” The old Residential Addictions Treatment program was accessed by approximately 200 people on Assured Income for…
Hand to Nose – Nov. 7, 2020 – Several addiction experts have blamed months of intense stress and isolation for the uptick in drug overdoses. The Street Team has spread out on Ridgewood Avenue and the streets that connect to it a couple times in recent months — once on Sept. 19 and again on Oct. 9. Street Team leaders have so far had one instance where a free dose of naloxone was used to revive someone who had suffered an overdose. With the help ofmore than 50 volunteers on both nights combined, 90 doses of naloxone landed in the…
Loss of a good guy – Nov. 6, 2020 – Shortly before his death, Mr. Ramstad celebrated his 39th year of sobriety. He spoke openly on how he hit his low point. In 1981, he awoke from a blackout in a South Dakota jail cell after his arrest for a drunken disturbance at a Sioux Falls hotel coffee shop while he was a state senator. That shock started him on the road to recovery. “If I had not wound up in that jail cell, I would not have sought treatment. I probably would be dead today,” he told the…
Doctors know… – Nov. 7, 2020 – Currently available medication-assisted treatments for opioid use disorder include methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone. According to Sauvé, methadone allows those with opioid use disorder to discontinue heroin use without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It is available through specialty clinics, to which patients must make daily visits, and is linked to an increased risk for respiratory depression. Buprenorphine has appeared associated with active withdrawal symptoms among individuals currently using prescription opioids or heroin, so Sauvé emphasized that patients should be experiencing at least some mild withdrawal prior to starting buprenorphine. Although specialty licensing for the prescriber…
Know where to find addiction help – Nov. 6, 2020 – Whyte said gambling addiction looks very similar to other kinds of addiction like substance abuse; the need for money, separation from loved ones, in some cases people trying to break the addiction can experience physical withdrawals. “We know people with severe gambling problems have some of the highest rates of suicidal behavior of any of the other addictive disorders,” explained Whyte. He said while there may be skill in betting on sporting events, knowing the statistics to potentially win, it is still largely chance. He warns online sports betting…
It’s about time! – Nov. 7, 2020 – “This is incredible,” said Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the advocacy group Drug Policy Alliance. “This is like taking a sledgehammer to the cornerstone of the drug war.” Possession of larger amounts could result in misdemeanor charges, and some cases that rise to what is considered a commercial level could still be charged as felonies. Ms. Frederique said passage of the measure showed that voters were eager for a new approach on drug policy to handle it as a health issue and prioritize treatment. She said she expected other states to…
We all can heal – Nov. 8, 2020 – I would never miss a happy hour or networking event — especially when there’s an open bar. I was also the one who would plan out a night of bar hopping and dancing with friends. But we would almost always start with “pregaming” at my place — a little drinking before we went drinking. If it seems excessive, it was. Binge drinking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is defined as four or more drinks in a single occasion for women and five or more for men. Heavy…
WATCH – Running towards success – Nov. 8, 2020 – A new shoe store not only offers a line of exclusive sneakers and clothing, but inspiration for those working to kick an addiction. more@CBS58
Time to teach about life? – Nov. 8, 2020 – Three students at the Wayne State University School of Medicine led a new study now in press that reveals incoming medical students have greater opioid overdose knowledge than the general population, but still harbor significant misinformation and stigma toward patients with substance use disorders. Tabitha Moses, May Chammaa and Rafael Ramos, are members of Detroit vs. Addiction, one of more than 70 student organizations medical students can join. Detroit vs. Addiction provides education to medical students regarding addiction, giving students the opportunity to provide holistic and non-judgmental care for people…