RING RING RING – Jan. 3, 2026 – During a tour of West Africa, where she was performing Shakespeare, a young Judi Dench was seized by a sudden premonition. ‘This was in the middle of lunch,’ she said, ‘and it was so strong that I asked if I could phone home to England, in a total stranger’s house. ‘I rang home and Daddy had just had a serious heart attack… and I sensed it thousands of miles away.’ Dame Judi, who tells this story in her 2010 autobiography And Furthermore, possesses a great wealth of theatrical tall tales which she…
Author: Leonard Buschel
LAURA STILL KNOWS HOW TO PARTY – JAN. 8, 2026 – North Bethesda resident Laura Silverman built an online community focused on nonalcoholic offerings. Here’s what you can learn from her this Dry January. If you weren’t drinking alcohol at a bar or restaurant in 2007, the options were soda, juice or water. The term “sober-curious” wouldn’t hit the lexicon for another decade. But Laura Silverman, then a year into quitting alcohol after college binge-drinking culture landed her two visits to the hospital with alcohol poisoning, had an inkling that more could be done to support those who decided, for…
CAN’T THINK? – Jan. 4, 2026 – You know the feeling. Someone asks a question, your eyes are open, you’re technically awake, but there’s just nothing there. No thoughts. No distractions. Just a brief internal blackout. According to new research, that experience might not be zoning out at all. It could be consciousness briefly stepping away. Scientists call the phenomenon “mind blanking,” and a new study suggests it’s a distinct mental state, separate from daydreaming or distraction. In these moments, awareness can actually pause, even while the body stays awake. Researchers at Sorbonne Université studied 62 adults during a simple…
WOKE – Jan. 7, 2026 – For the first time, the U.S. government has shifted its recommendations for alcohol consumption, in a move that surprised both the alcohol industry and its opponents…Mike Marshall, CEO of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance, a nonprofit that “seeks to reduce excessive alcohol use,” described the new guidelines as “a win for the alcohol industry.” The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is the document that brought you the food pyramid, advising Americans on how much protein, whole grains and vegetables they should consume. But while the guidance around food has changed dramatically since it was first…
THAT’S GOT TO HURT – Jan. 8, 2026 – A blogger who had sex every day for a year has revealed the wild impact her stunt had on her. Brittany Gibbons said she and her husband had sex every day for one full year, and set the the 365-day challenge in an effort to boost her self-confidence and to show respect to her marriage. She was ahead of her time, setting her challenge way before the days of Bonnie Blue. Brittany Gibbons has three kids, and said she set herself the challenge not because her marriage was in trouble, but…
ROCK BOTTOM – January 2, 2026 – As the Pretty Little Liars alum celebrated four years of sobriety, she reflected on her difficult, yet rewarding, health journey. “4 years ago, I reached a very dark chapter and my personal rock bottom,” Lucy captioned her Jan. 2 Instagram post. “It’s wild to say, but that ended up being the greatest gift and biggest turning point in my life.” “The path hasn’t always been smooth,” she continued. “There’s been pain, discomfort, loneliness, and deep self-confrontation. But sobriety handed me back my life. I am deeply grateful for every single moment that has…
JOY WITHOUT THE BOOZE – Jan. 8, 2026 – At a members-only club in Manhattan, a new generation rejects alcohol but isn’t quite ready to give up the party. “My resolution,” she yelled over the strains of disco to a couple of women who were also pinning down their hopes and dreams, “is that this year, I want to start a revolution of sober party girls.” She spotted a quartet of fellow rising stars of sober TikTok, adjusted her silver tube top, darted across the room and announced her news. “I just came back from Florida where I recorded ‘Rise…
A CLASS ACT – Jan. 2026 – Josh Brolin struggled with alcohol addiction as he got older. He finally got sober in 2013 after seeing his 99-year-old grandmother on her deathbed, the actor said. He paid his dying grandmother a visit after waking up hungover on the streets, and it made him realize that he had many more years to live. In an interview with The Times published on Saturday, Brolin spoke about how his perspective on life has changed as he’s gotten older. “I like getting older. It’s like a great excuse to finally go, ‘OK, just mellow out, you don’t need to…
GET OUT OF THE PRISON OF YOUR MIND – Jan. 7, 2026 – Imagine the Grinch as a porch pirate, stealing to feed a drug habit. After he’s shunned by fellow thieves, he has a change of heart and returns one of the stolen packages. Another Grinch answers the door — the father he thought had abandoned him. This was the retelling of the classic tale that was staged last month in the Vista jail by the men in its medication-assisted treatment module. Their story reflects themes that surface often in addiction recovery: accountability, acceptance and what a second chance…
“That’s why they call it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.” – George Carlin, b. 1937 – d. 2008
STAYING IN THE KNOW – Nov. 11, 2025 – HOW TO WRITE: DAY ONE Decide to stop not writing. Find a sheet of paper (flat two dimensional stuff, usually white, sometimes yellow, best if it is lined, because your scribbly scrabble handwriting will look better.) Find a pen or pencil. Either will work! Sit down somewhere, fidget, think of all the things you should be doing instead of trying to write; fidget more, twist around in the chair like a child. Think about what a complete loser you are and how everyone in the family will hate or mock you…
ADDICTION AIN’T SIMPLE – Dec. 25, 2025 – Over the course of several months earlier this year, staff photojournalist Gabrielle Lurie spent time documenting the life of Austin Draper, a San Francisco resident who suffers from endocarditis. Endocarditis is a rare and deadly heart infection caused by injecting drugs. Austin has been diagnosed with the condition six times in the past four years, resulting in three open-heart surgeries, the placement of a pacemaker by age 30 and amputations of all but one of his toes — as well as medical costs over $1 million, mostly covered by Medi-Cal. Austin is…
BETTER THAN COKE – Dec. 30, 2025 – A year-end review of non-alcoholic craft beers for mountain bikers, featuring recommendations from Athletic Brewing, Zero Gravity, and others worth trying post-ride… I’ll start things off with the most recent NA beer I tried, Athletic Brewing’s Winter Wonder. A friend brought this one to a bonfire, and I was immediately drawn to the festive can and the fact that Athletic tends to make some of the better NA beers on the market. Winter Wonder does not disappoint with a rich taste and a hint of spice that makes you forget it’s a…
HOW IS IT DOWN THERE? – Dec. 30, 2025 – Few places have felt the effects of that increase more than urology departments. Chronic ketamine use can cause irreversible damage to the bladder and urinary tract, and departments have seen an increase in patients, with many of those treated being young adults and teenagers. Alison Downey, a consultant urologist in South Yorkshire, says ketamine abuse is worse than she has ever seen, with admissions pushing medical centres and hospitals to their limits. “We’re already stretched really thin as it is and it’s been a massive increase that we’re just not…
WILL CURL YOUR HAIR – Dec. 31, 2025 – On Christmas Eve 10 years ago, Ben Gravy was in a bad place. Not just physically — although blackout drunk at a New Jersey dive bar is certainly not a good place — but mentally, as well. In the decade since, his life has improved by leaps and bounds. That’s not to say it’s all been easy, though. Far from it … and it was especially difficult in 2025. Today, a few days after the 10-year anniversary of his first step towards sobriety, Ben Gravy is reflecting on just how much…
VIDEO – HAVE A HEART – Dec. 31, 2025 – The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans doesn’t quit trying to help service members – even when a veteran gives up on themselves. Army veteran John Vincent Doran had several chances to change his situation, but chose to live on the street. A traumatic incident…finally forced him to accept help from MAC-V. Doran is proud of his service to the country. He served for three years, two of which he spent in Germany. “I’m a Cold War, decorated vet,” said Doran. Doran’s job was watching over nuclear warheads during…
YOUR SKIN WILL IMPROVE – Jan. 1, 2026 – We’ve all heard about Sober October or Dry January, a finite period of time when people voluntarily stop drinking alcohol as a way to give their body a “break” or “reset.” Abstaining from alcohol doesn’t need to be a trend reserved only for a specific month. If you are looking to take a break from drinking at any point, there are numerous mental and physical benefits in doing so. Some changes associated with temporary alcohol abstinence can be harmful if not done under adequate supervision, particularly if you have an alcohol…
NO ONE HAS TO DIE – Dec. 30, 2025 – “Naloxone is such a safe, easy-to-use, lifesaving tool, and it’s often treated like, ‘Oh, this is a medicine—we have to safeguard it, we have to restrict it,’” co-author Shelley Facente told Filter. “The takeaway from this is just having it in a box—where people can open it and get to it 24/7—works.” Researchers analyzed data that HRMI staff had been submitting to the state health department, logging how many kits had been taken and from which boxes. They also interviewed 11 people who had played a role in program implementation…
VIDEO – ASK NORA VOLKOW – Jan 2, 2026 – Mounting evidence suggests the drug could address alcohol use disorder, a condition that contributes to an estimated 178,000 deaths annually in the United States. “This stuff is a gamechanger,” said Betsy Spiegel, who has been taking semaglutide-based medication. “Part of how these drugs may work is how they impact the reward centers in the brain,” Heinberg said. “People just don’t find the same reward when they drink, say, a glass of wine, than they used to,” Heinberg said. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, co-authored…
IT’S AN INSIDE JOB – Jan. 2, 2026 – The country singer-songwriter, who is the son of country legend and known marijuana enthusiast Willie Nelson, says he was never the biggest fan of drinking anyway, but smoking weed was harder to quit. In a conversation with the People magazine, he revealed that his decision to quit drugs was largely inspired by a desire to get some good sleep. “Every time I took a drink or smoked weed, it just f—-d my sleep up,” he said, adding that he needs to credit the fitness band that tracks exercise and sleep metrics. …
IT’S A START – Jan. 1, 2026 – “When I moved to the California coast for college, my mom lost a reason to cook, and I gained a penchant for beer and cocaine. I used to joke that they were my two favorite foods. After college I moved to New Orleans I was supposed to become a teacher but instead became a cook. I worked in restaurants there for a couple of years before eventually moving to New York City to hone the art of working the line. I usually shoved down my only meal of the day in the…
SHELTER IN SOBRIETY – Jan. 1, 2026 – David faced a harrowing battle with substance abuse following the partial destruction of his home in a storm. Now, approaching three years of sobriety, the HGTV star shares his journey to recovery. Bromstad explained why he chose to share his experiences in the new special My Lottery Dream Home: David’s Happy Ending. “I think it’s important for people to understand that I’m human,” he said. Reflecting on the storm’s impact, Bromstad recalled, “My house was completely f——, and not in a fun way. Whatever happens in the house feels like it’s happening…
VIDEO – STOP THE MADNESS – Jan 2, 2026 – Erin, 22, first took the drug when she was offered it at a rave aged 18 and got hooked as she said it calmed her anxiety. At the height of her addiction, Erin was taking seven grams of ketamine per day every half an hour, costing her £70 a day, and age 20 she spent £10,000 in six months on the drug. See Website
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – 734,157 views since Sep 3, 2015 – Morrison explains the song in Q Magazine as: “The song is about when people used to sing on the streets: It came from America, where they had all the doo-wop groups. That’s the general idea of the song: you’ve never really moved from this position. You took a lot of detours but you’re still back on the corner.” See Website
STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – January 6, 2026 – Jai Uttal is a Grammy nominee, kirtan artist, multi-instrumentalist, and ecstatic vocalist. He is considered a pioneer in the world music community with his combined influences from India and American rock and jazz. Jai has been leading, teaching, and performing World Music and kirtan—the ancient yoga of chanting or singing to God—around the world for over 50 years, creating a safe environment for people to open their hearts and voices. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?A. My sobriety date is February…
DANCE MATTERS – Jan. 2, 2026 – The Strictly Come Dancing star has candidly opened up about masking her problems with alcohol and how the “bravest” move she made was to stop “running from myself”. In a deeply personal admission, she shared to Instagram on New Year’s Eve (31.12.25): “One year alcohol free.. I faced my raw self for the first time … scared, sad, angry. But also clearer. Pausing. Progressing. “I hid behind ‘just having fun’, but deep down I was closing my eyes tightly, gritting my teeth, hoping the pain would stop. “Turns out the bravest thing I’ve…
WITH A SLICE OF LIME? – Dec. 30, 2025 – Becoming sober was also a big deal for her. “I could outdrink everyone at the table,” she told the magazine. Now, she feels indifferent to alcohol. “I was a big fan of tequila. I literally had 17 shots one night,” she said. “I haven’t had a drink in years. The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing.” Elsewhere in the interview, Winfrey revealed her workout regimen, which involves moving her body six days a week for about two hours, hiking, doing cardio, or…
HOW UTTERLY SAD – Jan. 2, 2026 – Victoria, who was 34, was found unresponsive early on Thursday, Jan. 1 at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel, where she was pronounced dead, PEOPLE previously reported. In dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE, the call for the incident was classified as a “code 3 for the overdose, color change.” In overdose cases, “color change” refers to cyanosis — low oxygen levels in the blood, often linked to heart or lung issues, per Cleveland Clinic — which causes a blue or purple discoloration of skin, lips, and nails.San Francisco Police and San Francisco Fire…
VIDEO – NONE TOO SOON – Jan. 1, 2025 – Cierra Boone, 25, has been sober for almost three years. Her abstinence weaves into a larger trend: Gen Zers, those born between 1997 and 2012, are not drinking, and they haven’t been. Between 2001 and 2023, global research firm Gallup reported a 11% dip in adults between the ages of 18-34 who had at least one alcoholic beverage within the past week. “I don’t think it’s a blip at this point. If anything, I think this trend is going to continue to strengthen,” Dr. Jared Harp, addiction psychiatrist at Cleveland…
STILL F**KING HANDSOME – Dec. 30, 2025 – The Swedish superstar burst onto the tennis scene in the 1970s and claimed his first Grand Slam title – the 1974 French Open – at the tender age of 18. The 69-year-old recounted in his memoir, Heartbeats, details about the lost decades which shaped his early retirement, with his startling drug use a frequent feature of the late 1980s and 90s. ‘I thought, “I’m not playing tennis any more, so I can try (cocaine).” It would be better not to try it. Going into drugs or pills or alcohol – it’s terrible. …