Naloxone for Party Favors – May 16, 2019 – By the time I was first dosed with naloxone—the drug that can reverse an opioid overdose—I had been using heroin daily for a year and a half. Not only was I psychologically addicted, I was also physically dependent. Being dependant on an opioid meant that when the naloxone hit, I wasn’t just able to breathe again; I had also been jolted into withdrawal. “Narcan parties” hit the news cycle in 2017 … The idea is that opioid users gather together, stocked up on Narcan (the main brand name of naloxone) and…
Author: Leonard Buschel
Women Hoodwinked – May 29th 2019 – Katie, now 50 and living in London with husband Hugh, said she didn’t get the typical hot flushes and night sweats, but she did have heart palpitations, a common symptom of perimenopause. Her periods had become shorter, and heavier, and she suffered a lower libido and weight gain of three stone. “My GP said I was probably stressed and depressed, as I was working full-time and had four children,” she said. “It was suggested I took some time off and I quit my job. Full Story @ iNews.co.uk
Dealing in plain sight – May 31, 2019 – Shariff also tried to carry out a separate home health care fraud scheme which involved his Elgin-based company Home Health Resource LLC, prosecutors said. In a May 2016 meeting in Chicago, he offered to pay a doctor $500 each time they referred a home health care qualified Medicare beneficiary to Shariff’s company. The physician Shariff met with was cooperating with authorities at the time and their conversation was recorded, prosecutors said. Shariff told nurses at his company to advise patients to pretend they were homebound. Shariff “chose to make his…
Honoring AA & Life/Death – June 1, 2019 – As Gustafson explained in conversation with NPR’s Scott Simon, though, Madelyn’s funeral wasn’t the first time she played the song for someone she knew — nor does she expect it to be the last. Gustafson says she wrote the song about 15 years ago for a friend who was suffering from a heroin addiction and whose whereabouts were often unclear. “I wanted to send him a message of hope: that there was always a way to come back home and to become recovered from his addiction” she says. This sentiment of…
It’s Never Too Late for Therapy – JUNE 3, 2019 – Many people imagine the life of an escort to be one of constant indulgence and parties: sipping champagne in fancy hotel suites and being wined and dined at only the most exclusive establishments. For most of us, that’s a rarity rather than a reality, but for Samantha X, one of Australia’s highest-paid and most visible sex workers, it’s probably a lot more commonplace. With an incredibly successful career as an escort, two best-selling memoirs — Hooked and Back on Top — under her belt and an agency of her own…
Rockin’ Conversation – May 31, 2019 – The two-time Grammy-nominated band (rounded out by drummer Mike Wengren and bassist John Moyer) has been making headlines for its awareness-raising efforts, which includes a recently released inspirational companion video for their No. 1 rock radio hit “A Reason To Fight”. The band has also invited fans to join the conversation and show others they’re not alone in the fight via the “You Are Not Alone” initiative. They’ve also launched a “Fighter Of The Month” campaign, honoring those who have shown strength, character and fight, as nominated by their peers. On the…
Monstrous Red Bull – May 29, 2019 – Thirty-four healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 were randomly assigned to drink 32 ounces of one of two commercially-available (but unidentified) caffeinated energy drinks, or a placebo drink, on three separate days. Both energy beverages had 304 to 320 milligrams of caffeine per 32 fluid ounces; in comparison, a Starbucks Pike Place roast packs about 330 milligrams for 16 ounces. The placebo contained carbonated water, lime juice and cherry flavoring. The beverages were swallowed within a 60-minute period, but no faster than one 16-ounce serving per 30 minutes, so…
Winning Record – MAY 22, 2019 – The 47-year-old has been open about his struggles with alcohol — saying he knew he had substance abuse issues back in high school but thought he could control it. Smith has admitted he would drive drunk and show up to the Vikings practice facility “stinking like alcohol” … but somehow managed to hide his problem from team officials. Smith says he bottomed out after retiring — and tried to get sober in 2007 before relapsing in 2011. That’s when Smith hit rock bottom … his wife (who was pregnant) moved out and threatened…
Nobody’s Perfect – JUNE 1, 2019 – The family attempted to pick up the pieces of their lives, and June’s 13-year-old daughter was forced to move in her with 19-year-old sister. In the final episode of “Mama June From Hot to Not,” June Shannon’s family staged an intervention with her. June’s sister “Doe Doe” picked up June to bring her to the family gathering. However, the intervention did not go as the family planned. After walking into the house, June immediately became defensive as she saw numerous members of her family sitting on a couch. June’s sister told her that…
It’s all in the game – May 31, 2019 – The WHO has officially declared video game addiction as a mental health disorder. Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Bober joined Cheddar News’ Hena Doba and Jill Wagner to break down the signs of this addiction. Full Story @ Cheddar.com
Not Running Away – MAY 30, 2019 – Through his company Egress Endurance, Parks also encourages others to find a positive outlet through running. Parks says running helped him most because it gave him something valuable to do with his time to avoid alcohol. His kids are some of his biggest fans. They know their dad has struggled with addiction, and love that he is helping others spend more time with their families, too. “He has given people opportunities, and be able to run with him, instead of drinking,” Parks’ 10-year-old daughter Alayna said. Full Story @ Fox17Online.com
Family Matters – MAY 30, 2019 – I prepared for days before, even venting to a dear friend moments before Zak arrived. Would I make a fool of myself? Would I accidentally say ‘Oh Captain, My Captain’ and burst into tears? I was overwhelmed.Then my friend said something important -they said, “Be yourself, share your pain. His pain is the same.Remember who you are and why you’re there.” So that’s what I did. In front of me sat a man who lost a loved one to suicide. A man who understood the same level of devastation as I did, as…
Looking back at the blackness – MAY 31, 2019 – Corey had been a huge star, alongside pal Corey Feldman. They became known as The Two Coreys after starring in a string of movies together, but it was The Lost Boys that really propelled them to fame. But his life was tainted by drug addiction and money problems. Things got so bad for the actor at one point that he even tried to sell his own hair and teeth online. And his struggles with drug addiction began at a young age, with him once saying he smoked marijuana for…
All is not total abstinence – MAY 29, 2019 – Tempest’s mission is to be a digital recovery solution for people who don’t identify as addicted or alcoholics, or for those who do and don’t want to use traditional methods of getting sober. It offers an eight-week digital course that promotes a modern outlook on what it means to give up alcohol, and it provides a tailored mix of services built around a person’s individual needs. And while it’s open to everyone, it’s designed with women and minority groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community, in mind. “Besides Women for…
No Trash Talk Here – June 1 2019 – 100 percent of proceeds from the evening went to the Face The Music Foundation, an organization that provides financial support and patient scholarships. At the event’s close, more than $35,000 had been raised for the foundation. The benefit also included Recovery Unplugged, an addiction care organization that implements music alongside medical techniques. The rehabilitation center encourages recovery through “the power of music.” “We believe that by erasing the stigma associated with the third largest cause of accidental death in the United States, it becomes easier for recovery-based resources to be…
ALL? – June 1, 2019 – 10. NEW MEXICO. New Mexico came in 10th overall (where first is the worst) on the list of states with the worst drug problems. But it wasn’t all bad news. The state actually ranked in the middle of the pack for the drug health issues and rehab category, coming in 29th. But it still was the state with the fewest people receiving substance abuse treatment per 100,000 drug users. Moreover, New Mexico ranked 18th for law enforcement and 12th for drug use and addiction. And within the latter category, it had the fifth-highest…
“Treat people as if they are who they can be and you help them to become who they’re capable of being.” —Johann von Goethe Read More @ CliffNotes.com
HAPPY 200th to America’s Poet – “To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.” —Walt Whitman More @ Poets.org
Soon to be a best-seller? – May 28, 2019 – Author Evan Wright apparently used the story from Cliff Brodsky in his upcoming book, “Bad Therapist,” which chronicles Bathum’s rehab empire that consisted of 20 facilities … for patients battling alcoholism and drug addiction … Brodsky was heavily involved in the takedown of “Rehab Mogul” Christopher Bathum, who was convicted in 2018 of sexually assaulting seven women while operating a chain of luxury rehab clinics … According to the cease and desist, Brodsky spoke with author Evan Wright about his dealings with Bathum, but apparently did not give his permission…
Suggested by John West – May 23, 2019 – 1. Remove yourself stressful environments — and breathe This is especially helpful when you find yourself stuck in a stressful environment. If you’re in a group participation setting, kindly excuse yourself and step out of the room for some fresh air (preferably somewhere outdoors). Then, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Studies have found that the gentle rising and falling of the breath can stimulate parts of the brain responsible for creating a sense of calm tranquility. If you’re in a situation where you’re unable to step away,…
Society is Sick, Why Shouldn’t We Be? – May/June 2019 – A study done two years ago showed the more episodes of racism an African American woman experiences, the greater her risk for asthma. You can’t explain that only in individual biological terms. And we’ve known for a long time that the more stressed parents are, the more likely their children are to have asthma. Interestingly, the common treatment for asthma is to give people stress hormones to open up the airways and reduce inflammation in the lungs. Stress hormones happen to be the most common prescription across all medicine.…
Suggested by Ben Levenson – May 22, 2019 – Molecular memory – When young neurons are exposed to a foreign drug, such as nicotine, they create a molecular “memory,” said first author Ben Romoli, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Dulcis’ lab. By increasing the expression of nicotine receptors and the molecular marker Nurr1, a protein that is normally found only in dopaminergic neurons, these GABA- and Glutamate-expressing neurons acquire the “readiness” to switch to a dopaminergic program when properly motivated by nicotine in the adult. “We found that when the same animals are exposed to nicotine in adulthood, a…
Souls on Ice? – May 15, 2019 – The findings of the study include the following Gen Z depression statistics: The number of young adults ages 18 to 25 who experienced serious psychological distress in the 30 days before the survey increased by 71 percent from 2008 to 2017. This increase was most extreme in adolescents ages 20 and 21. Symptoms of major depression in the year before the survey rose 52 percent in adolescents from 2005 to 2017 and 63 percent (from 8.1 to 13.2 percent) in young adults age 18 to 25 from 2009 to 2017. Furthermore, between…
Only 24 and so wise… – May 21, 2019 – 1. Develop an attitude of gratitude On awakening each day, make a list of 5 things you are grateful for. Try to focus on things that aren’t materialistic, such as the fresh air you breathe, the fact that you are sober, or the friendships you have made in recovery. At the end of the day, review this list again. Use gratitude each day to appreciate the things that are truly meaningful in life. 2. Read spiritual books There are many books that are spiritual but not religious. Reading not…
Revenge in Ohio – May 23, 2019 – Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said in a release that 21-year-old Jonah Lake pleaded guilty Wednesday in the slaying of 51-year-old Kevin Lake. The judge then sentenced him to life in prison, with parole consideration possible after 15 years. Jonah Lake was charged in the June 2017 shooting of his father at their home in Westerville, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Columbus. A message seeking comment was left Thursday for his lawyer. Full Story @ WOWKTV.com
from The Oprah Magazine – May 23, 2019 – But neither of us could have foreseen that I would be having a miscarriage as we drove to spend our anniversary weekend in Saint Augustine. Sure, our bed and breakfast was adorable-Adam’s suggestion, since I’d never been to one before-but it was a surreal experience to be celebrating our love at the same time we were suffering a loss. The day before we left for our trip, I had started spotting. We both rushed to my OB-GYN’s office to check on what was happening. While there, an ultrasound technician examined…
Patriotic Salute – May 22, 2019 – “The patients spend the majority of their time in group therapy sessions with other veterans,” said Angela La Luzerne, program manager. “We even have an area on campus that is dedicated to veterans and first responders, allowing them to connect and bond on their terms. We’ve found that this builds trust and camaraderie among the patients and helps to break down walls that can hinder the treatment process. It can also create a sense of belonging and community, which can often be difficult for veterans when returning to civilian life.” With the Salute…
Government at Work – May 22, 2019 – In Pennsylvania, the opioid epidemic has hit hard in recent years, with 5,456 drug-related overdose deaths reported by coroners and medical examiners for 2017 — a rate of 42 deaths per 100,000 people. Government officials have taken steps to try to curb the overdoses, including establishing a help hotline for addicts and their family members and implementing a standing order last year that allows pharmacies to dispense Narcan without requiring a medical prescription. According to Wolf, since the standing order was established, the survival rate for opioid users receiving Narcan has…
Yeah, you and William Burroughs – May 23, 2019 – Opioids made me truly happy for the first time in my life. Ever since preschool I’ve suffered from insomnia, fits of depression and the occasional meltdown. The stress of living with a mentally ill mother (she suffers from severe anxiety and occasional delusions) only made matters worse. I spent most of my childhood being ferried from doctor to doctor. None seemed to know what was wrong with me. Most recommended a variety of heavy medications. At different points since elementary school, I’ve taken everything from antipsychotics to antidepressants, lithium…
FDA = Feds Don’t Abide – May 24, 2019 – More than 130 people in the U.S. die of an opioid overdose every day. One of the most effective ways to save lives is to get those struggling with addiction treated with medication to stop their cravings. But a loophole in federal law might block at least one new opioid-addiction drug from coming to market for years. Many patients have to try several medications before finding one that works for them and that they can stick with. “It’s important to have multiple different treatment options for different patients, different…