Drunxit – July 30, 2019 – Massive cuts to alcohol rehab services mean a “national epidemic” of alcohol-related problems is not being tackled, King’s College London researchers say. And people with drink problems in England are less than half as likely to receive the right help as those in Scotland and Wales. More than £100m has been cut since services in England were reorganised in 2012, the study found. Councils in England say central government grant cuts are to blame. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that, on average, drug and alcohol services in England had…
Author: Leonard Buschel
The Promises Land – JULY 29, 2019 – “I feel it is imperative to offer a path to Jewish spirituality for those in the process of recovery and spiritual seeking in their secular lives,” he said. The series will culminate in a High Holiday program on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh. “The High Holidays are usually a time when the American Jewish community gathers and reconnects with one another,” said Kati Kristol, director of Congregation Shaarei Kodesh. Full Story @ Sun-Sentinel.com
Even Once Is Too Much – July 30, 2019 – The figure contradicts a narrative being pushed by health and crime agencies, as well as the White House and much of the media, that drug dealers are routinely lacing cocaine with fentanyl. In 2017, NYC’s health department launched a publicity campaign warning that recreational cocaine users were at “exceptionally high risk of overdose” from fentanyl-laced cocaine, an effort that recently reached bars and clubs in Brooklyn. It may not be as high as portrayed, but the ratio of cocaine samples testing positive for fentanyl has been edging up, albeit by…
We’ll See About That – JULY 29, 2019 – Big Pharma is facing hundreds of lawsuits in nearly every state over its role in fueling overdose deaths, now that it is clear that companies were aware of the harm of the opioids they were manufacturing and marketing. These lawsuits apply the same legal theory that extracted a $246 billion settlement from Big Tobacco in the ’90s for deceiving the public and hiding the full extent of the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes. Governments are paying out billions of dollars to treat an epidemic of addiction that was sparked,…
Acting As If – July 31, 2019 – “Californians picking up medications at their local pharmacy should never have to worry about whether pharmacies are employing licensed pharmacists to dispense prescriptions,” Becerra said in the statement. “The California Department of Justice is committed to protecting patients from anyone who unlawfully practices without a license. Today’s announcement should serve as a stern warning — we are committed to ending this reckless behavior and will vigorously hold wrongdoers accountable,” he continued. Lee was originally discovered by authorities after they found that prescriptions from a pharmacy in Fremont, Calif., lacked watermarks and check…
New York Times Feature – July 24, 2019 – At 19, I signed over custody of my son to my mother in order to join the Air Force. The rigid environment in basic training forced me to get sober, which lasted until my follow-on training school, where I drank at every opportunity. I assumed this was what people my age were doing in college. After graduation, I received orders to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and felt I was on track to build my life with my son. Unfortunately, my drinking would delay regaining custody of him…
New Play in Massachusetts – July 31, 2019 – An environment of fellowship and support is the launching point for Adam Bock’s new play, “Before the Meeting,” … An environment of fellowship and support is the launching point for Adam Bock’s new play, “Before the Meeting,” … That’s the situation for Gail, the play’s main character, portrayed by Deirdre O’Connell. She’s been dry for 17 years, remains faithful to meetings, and even serves as head of the coffee committee, which takes care of setting up the space. The script introduces Gail and other regular attendees through scenes that take place,…
The Trail Never Ends – July 31, 2019- “Take a look around. There’s a lot of healing that’s happening,” said Roxanne Delille, the Dean of Indigenous and Academic Affairs at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College, where the conference is being held. Hundreds of people attend the annual meeting wanting to learn about how to help the Native American community with drug addiction. “There’s still a lot of challenge in our communities regarding opioids, methamphetamine,” said Delille. They say those issues have to be solved differently in Native American populations. “Opioid issues, cannabis issues are never going to be…
Better Safe Than Dead – August 1, 2019 – But a recent National Bureau of Economic Research paper by Analisa Packham, an NBER fellow and economics professor at Miami University, calls that conventional wisdom into question. Titled “Are Syringe Exchange Programs Helpful or Harmful? New Evidence in the Wake of the Opioid Epidemic,” it finds that the results of these programs can be filed under the law of unintended consequences. In a large survey, encompassing rural, suburban, and urban counties, and adjusting for changes in demographics, Packham found that the programs did, in fact, succeed in lowering HIV rates, by…
Worth The Effort – August 2, 2019 – Once sober, we begin to feel our emotions clearly for the first time in a long time. These emotions have been bottled up for so long inside of our psyche that they almost seem to implode on us; the smallest inconvenience can appear apocalyptic. A recovering addict may be triggered and tempted to relapse by the sudden reappearance of the feelings they were attempting to numb in the first place. This is why working through trauma is vital in order to live a peaceful and sober life. As a recovered addict…
Horrifying – Aug. 2, 2019 – Santana works at the Boom Health Harm Reduction Center, which is across the street from where many gather to use drugs. He heads out of his office, five days a week, with a trash picker and basket in hand to collect any drug paraphernalia he can find. He told News 12 that he collected about 2,000 needles two weeks ago. Outside Boom Health is a needle deposit box, where syringes can be tossed out with no questions asked. It’s part of the center’s “syringe exchange program,” which offers clean needles to drug users…
Painted Lady – August 2, 2019 – “For the person who chooses to get a tattoo, many times it’s a much deeper process of reflection,” says Shainna Ali, PhD, a mental health professional. “What’s the point of getting a tattoo, what purpose will this serve, what’s the symbolism—a tattoo serves something deeper for that individual involved. For example, a star for someone could represent a star for one person, and for someone else, it might mean something deeper, like a life lost. A tattoo can be used to honor whatever it is—whether it’s a person, a choice, or a lifestyle.” …
Third Times a Charm – August 3, 2019 – After recovering from a drug addiction that sent her on a downward spiral, Danielle Turner, 30, recently was given back her 10-year-old son, who years earlier had been taken away by authorities. There’s something about standing at your child’s funeral that you never really recover from, but I didn’t turn to drugs until I had two more children; they were taken from me when my son was three years old and my daughter a newborn. Because I continued to self-harm, there were concerns for my mental health, so the case…
Too Much Iced Tea? – August 3, 2019 – Alcohol helped me appear cool, calm and collected when in reality I was a fragile extrovert who gave off the unmistakable air of desperation, neatly covered by Davidoff Cool Water. Somewhere along the way however, it had stopped being my anaesthetic and had started turning me into a social hand grenade, and nearly meant I lost the girl who was the ray of sunshine my life had been looking for. On 4 September 2017, I finally saw the damage I was doing. It’s awful when you realise your repeated actions are…
Nobody’s Perfect – Aug 1, 2019 – The case played a part in last month’s sudden cancellation of Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to the recovery center. According to court documents, Hatch moved 1,500 grams of fentanyl into New Hampshire in 2017. When asked by the judge why he didn’t want to go to trial, Hatch said state police had evidence against him and that he would have been charged with a larger crime if it went to a jury. Defense attorney Chuck Keefe said earlier reporting on the case has been inaccurate. Full Story @ WMUR.com
Cuervo Old – July 31, 2019 – The study noted that for the metabolism of a person who is 65 years or older, drinking two or three beers at that age has the same effect as seven or eight beers on someone at age 20. “They’re exquisitely sensitive to it,” said Dr. Narula. Mason asked, “What do you do if you have a loved one who’s doing this? How do you deal with this?” … “I think a lot of people tend to shy away from it or avoid it; they don’t know how to deal with it,” said…
Another One? With Violence! – August 2, 2019 – Harvey is a public advocate for recovery and founded Journey House, which operates four sober living homes in Maine. According to court documents, Harvey was arrested on July 23 when a police officer witnessed him cause a rear-end crash in Portland. An affidavit said Harvey failed sobriety tests and a drug recognition expert determined he was under the influence of alcohol and depressants. Harvey was arrested and charged with criminal OUI and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. He posted bail and was released with conditions that he not commit any…
Sober-Palooza – August 2, 2019 – This summer’s lineup includes over 20 performances, including comedians, inspirational speakers and musical acts spanning indie rock, bluegrass, pop, hip hop, jazz, soul, and blues. There will also be a music and storytelling panel. Moderated by writer and radio personality John Moe, host of the popular national podcast “The Hilarious World of Depression,” the panel will feature iconic Twin Cities rocker Mark Mallman, author of “The Happiness Playlist”; London-native Katy Vernon whose album “Suit of Hearts” chronicles recovery and a life-changing trip home; and Laura Hugo, a singer-songwriter originally from the Navajo Nation in…
You Are What You Eat – July 18, 2019 – I am a public health major who has been working with injection drug users and people with substance use disorders for nearly the last 10 years. My predominant focus is on the applied practices of harm reduction. To my surprise, I have heard little-to-nothing about what foods or diet plan might be beneficial to this specific population. As such, I decided that I would investigate and create a plan of my own based on the current research available. I chose to encourage the consumption of whole foods and limit intake…
Art With Heart – Jul 28, 2019 – “One day I had a moment and said to [Vic] how cool would it be to do an art exhibit of people struggling with all types of disorders, including addiction,” explained Mendez. The exhibit was small at first and held in a local coffee shop, but the interest was there and soon it grew into more than a one-day event. “Three years ago, I was attending another film festival, there I was and I had an epiphany. I was like ‘man, I’m tired of going to other people’s film festivals, why don’t…
Coming Clean – August 3, 2019 – He made a Facebook post on July 26, showing a before-and-after photo of him and his wife, Ashley Walker, with the #CleanChallenge hashtag. As of Friday morning, , the post has 188,000 reactions, 16,000 comments and 135,000 shares. The first picture was taken in December 2016, after Brent said he had just served two years for three counts of sale and deliveries of methamphetamine and felony evading of law enforcement. He and his then on-and-off girlfriend, Ashley, were still meeting up to get high. But a close call with a drug test while…
Perfect Choice – Neuroscientist Charlotte Wincott Joins APF’s Advisory Board August 2, 2019 – “Dr. Wincott is part of the next generation of treatment experts who will lead advancements in how to combat addiction,” said Jessica Hulsey Nickel, founder and president of Addiction Policy Forum. “With her first-hand experience in researching the biology of addiction, Dr. Wincott will be able to provide research-led insight on Addiction Policy Forum projects and initiatives.” In addition to her work in the field, Dr. Wincott is an award-winning filmmaker, whose short films have been screened internationally and focus on topics related to mental…
DEA’s Secrets and Lies – Aug. 2, 2019 – She’s one lawyer of hundreds involved in a sprawling, costly, enormously complicated agglomeration of lawsuits filed against nearly two dozen big drug companies and now being litigated in federal court in Cleveland. The plaintiffs are approximately 2,000 cities, counties, Native American tribes and other local government entities. They accuse the drug manufacturers of understating the risks of the opioids, and accuse the distributors of failing to monitor suspiciously large orders. These consolidated lawsuits have parallels with the lawsuits against major tobacco companies two decades ago. Joe Rice, one of the lead…
A Lose Lose Situation – August 4, 2019 – So rampant is the negativity arising from the ‘perceived’ faulty body size that it works both ways. People too thin are feeling the pain as well. The greetings these days are punctuated with a comment (and scrutiny) on one’s ‘weight’. And that does not apply to the ones getting married! The modern Indian obsession of “when are you getting married?” is now replaced with “What are you doing with your weight?”. Let’s accept it, body shaming is of two types: direct (criticising overweight people), and indirect (both subtle and blatant messages…
Facebook is My Best Friend – August 3, 2019 – The 39-year-old senator has also lobbied tech executives and regulators during his short term. He drafted a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg this year explaining his desire to mitigate Facebook’s impact on American society. “The burden to protect the American people from forces parasitic on our national life and on our economy is on me and my colleagues,” Hawley wrote. Hawley and fellow Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas wrote to the Federal Trade Commission last month, asking the agency to open an investigation into the issue of…
IMPORTANT: For Women Only – JULY 16, 2019- For me, this is personal.When I was in my 20s, just starting my career (before I became a features editor at Cosmo), my brother was descending into what would become a years-long heroin addiction. I watched helplessly as he lost weight, lost jobs, lost friends. As he stole and lied and sold my iPad to a pawn shop. Once, he showed up at my door, homeless and high, his arms still tender from plunging needles into them too many times. I’d already written his funeral speech in my mind. I’d cry on…
“In taking a single step toward positive change, the divine energy will take a hundred steps toward you. New worlds of unbelievable possibilities will open up for you.” — Joan Borysenko, PhD
There but for the grace of God… – August 02, 2019 – Three years before Saoirse Kennedy Hill tragically died at age 22 from a suspected drug overdose, she penned an emotionally raw essay for her high school’s newspaper about her struggle with depression. In a 2016 piece published in Deerfield Academy’s student newspaper, The Deerfield Scroll, a then-19-year-old Saoirse opened up about her longtime battle with her mental health and advocated for more conversation around the topic. The granddaughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedyalso revealed in her raw essay that she had attempted to…
MEDIA: Book Review – July 28, 2019 – Below, he talks about the book’s very long gestation, the kindred spirit he sees in the singer Tom Waits and more. When did you first get the idea to write this book? Way back in 1987. At the time, I was staying at the Joyce Hotel, a skid row flophouse in Portland, Ore., where I’d landed after fleeing the mess I’d made of my life in Manhattan, thanks to a decade-long addiction to alcohol and cocaine. By the time I reached Portland, after 18 days on the road, I had quite…
Oh, those French…Sackler Bleu! – July 17, 2019 – In March, Britain’s National Portrait Gallery turned down a $1.3 million donation from a charitable arm of the family. That prompted a host of cultural institutions across Europe and the United States, including the Tate group of museums in Britain and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, to announce that they would not accept further donations from the family. The Sackler Trust and the Dr. Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation, two foundations based in Britain, suspended further philanthropy. But many museums also said they would respect past philanthropy and…