STEPS NEVER TAKEN MEMORIAL – Sept, 26, 2025 – The bass hits 128 beats per minute. On a crowded dance floor, bodies ripple in sync. To an outsider, it may seem like a hedonistic party. To a neuroscientist, however, it’s something closer to group therapy. Ttrials involving over 14,000 people revealed that dance was more effective at easing depression symptoms than other forms of exercise. For centuries, communities have turned to dance not only for celebration but for ritual and healing. Long before scientists tracked brain waves or measured neurotransmitters, dancers had an intuitive understanding of the power of moving…
Author: Leonard Buschel
SIDE EFFECT: GOOD BREATH? – Nov. 12, 2025 – Clutch, from Oar Health, is said to be the first mint designed to reduce alcohol cravings and curb heavy drinking. Nearly 28 million Americans struggle with alcohol use disorder. Adults who are prescribed Clutch can take it once a day or right before enjoying a night out. The novel treatment is a special formulation of naltrexone, a prescription-only medication that addresses alcohol and opioid abuse. Naltrexone decreases the urge for alcohol by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the dopamine-reward effect that people get from drinking. Alcohol then no…
COMPETITION? – Nov. 11, 2025 – Getting found online can make or break a rehabilitation center’s success. When someone searches for help with addiction or recovery services, you want your facility to show up first. That’s where search engine optimization comes in, and it’s not as complicated as you might think. Search engines like Google want to show the most helpful results to people searching for treatment options. Your job is to prove that your rehab center deserves that top spot. This means creating content that actually helps people, not just stuffing keywords into every paragraph. The truth is, most…
SCIENCE AT ITS BEST – Nov. 13, 2025 – Scientists have uncovered a hidden mechanism in the human body that can naturally silence pain without the risks of addiction or sedation. This discovery could redefine how chronic pain is treated, revealing that our own nerves may hold the key to lasting relief. Because this process takes place only within the peripheral nervous system, it does not cause the entire nervous system to “go to sleep.” As a result, these naturally produced peptides could offer pain relief without the dangerous side effects or risk of addiction associated with opioid drugs.Dr. Ganesan…
REALLY, ONE STEP AT A TIME – Nov. 8, 2025 – Yvonne Garvey is releasing her self-published memoir “Stumbling Blindly Toward Grace,” on Nov. 16. Her story is one of resilience and strength overcoming alcoholism while dealing with losing her sight. She hopes her story of descent into alcoholism, blindness and eventual recovery, with all the messy details, will inspire others to seek help. “You can go through some serious stuff and come out and feel really great,” she said. Garvey started drinking at 13 beginning a 27-year progression of alcoholism. By university she was a daily drinker. She was…
VIDEO – STEPS NEVER TAKEN MEMORIAL – Nov. 9, 2025 – To honor lives lost to addiction in Delaware, “Hope on Deck” placed a piece of footwear where loved ones would have stood. It’s called the “Empty Shoe Project,” where community members gathered to support each other. Over 300 shoes were placed with pictures of loved ones who passed away from addiction. They were sent in from Hope on Deck’s supporters. Those pictures were emblematic of the number of people who passed away from addiction in Delaware last year.”Our organization is Hope on Deck, founded by my son in 2018.…
SHE LOVES YOU YEAH YEAH YEAH – Nov. 14, 2025 – Music also has a transportive quality, Margulis said. If you listen to a song that you first heard during a certain time of life, you may find yourself transported back to that time, especially with the music you listened to in adolescence. “That tends to be the music that people remember best and have the most memories associated with.” Margulis said. She added that adolescence often is the time when people are defining themselves, which gives that music added meaning. This can even be seen in people who are…
WEALTH vs. HUMILITY – Nov. 7, 2025 – As Executive Chairman of Carrara Treatment & Wellness, where celebrities go to rehab, and 1 Method Center, Taite has spent more than two decades guiding high-profile clients through addiction, trauma, and recovery. After selling his former treatment center, Cliffside Malibu, for a nine-figure sum…Taite could have walked away. Instead, he returned to rebuild the recovery model from the inside out, one rooted in neuroscience, trauma therapy, and accountability built for the world’s most high-risk stars. He’s also the host of “We’re Out of Time,” a podcast that’s topped Apple’s Mental Health and…
DOUBLE DOWN – Nov. 12, 2025 – There is a growing body of research that indicates legalized sports betting has had dire consequences for Americans’ financial and mental health, particularly among young men. Professional athletes and their families now regularly receive death threats from angry bettors when they underperform. Gambling ads are ubiquitous and relentless. Corruption is also growing. Two major betting scandals are currently roiling professional sports. Over the weekend, federal prosecutors indicted Cleveland Guardians players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on a variety of conspiracy-related charges for allegedly working with gamblers to affect the outcomes of games for…
VIDEO – THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO – Nov. 12, 2025 – San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie unveiled a new plan to tackle the city’s drug crisis: a law enforcement sobering center to get people who are doing drugs off the streets and into treatment.This is happening after more than 600 people died from drug overdoses last year. “Well, first let me say, we as a city were caught flat-footed by the fentanyl crisis. Since January, we are tackling this in new and innovative ways. We have neighborhood outreach teams. We’ve set up over 500 treatment and recovery beds. And…
“Come love, make me better than I was. Come teach me a kinder way to say my own name.” – Andrea Gibson, Aug. 13, 1975 – July 14, 2025
VIDEO – DON’T RELAPSE – Nov. 5, 2025 – Daniel Hyden, 46, was convicted of four counts of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, four counts of second-degree assault and three counts of third-degree assault on Monday, Nov. 3 following a bench trial, according to a press release from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said Hyden was drunk when his Ford F-150 pickup truck first ran through a stop sign at 39 mph at an intersection in Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood on July 4, 2024. He then traveled through a construction zone at speeds up to…
HOLY ATHLETE – Nov. 6, 2025 – Twelve-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte was baptized last week and has publicly rededicated his life to Jesus amid a divorce and months after entering substance abuse rehabilitation. “I love sharing my life with my fans and followers. I have learned that the only thing that truly matters is what God thinks of me,” the 41-year-old athlete wrote in a Nov. 2 Instagram post. “I made the decision to rededicate my life to Jesus and today I was baptized!” “My heart is full of so much love and happiness and I’m just so thankful…
YES – UNLESS YOU DO THE STEPS – Nov. 3, 2025 – Alongside painkillers, food, and technology, one psychiatrist worries about the addictive potential of getting back at people — or even thinking about it. James Kimmel knows the danger well. Now a psychiatrist at the Yale School of Medicine, he once was moments from being a teenage murderer. In a lecture given Wednesday, Kimmel explained how he wielded a loaded gun against school bullies after years of worsening torment — and why he didn’t fire. “At the last second, I had this split second of insight,” Kimmel told his…
EXERCISE MATTERS – Nov. 5, 2025 – Laurie Doxtator starts each morning with affirmations. “It’s OK to say no,” she thinks to herself while breathing in and breathing out, slowly grounding herself. “I’m proud of me waking up sober today.” “It’s a good day to start a new day.” The exercise plays an important role in keeping Doxtator clean from the drugs and alcohol that long controlled her life. She has built the routine through hard work, perseverance and the support of people around her — helping her stay alive. All the while she practices what she preaches to others…
LISTEN – DREAM DIET – Nov. 6, 2025 – We asked Sahar Berjis, RD, MPH, and Founder of Inner Health and Wellness, what foods people should eat at night once you’re 50 or over. “At InnerHealthWellness, we focus on how natural foods, herbs, and mindful habits can support the body’s metabolic rhythm—especially during rest and recovery.” “After 45 or 50, metabolism slows, but choosing the right foods before bed and adopting daily habits that balance blood sugar, support digestion, and lower inflammation can make a remarkable difference.” Here are seven of the best foods and drinks to enjoy in the evenings…
BOOZE IS NOT AN OPTION – Nov/ 8, 2025 – Staying sober during the holidays isn’t about missing out – it’s about creating new, meaningful traditions that reflect who you’ve become. With preparation, mindfulness and the right support system, you can celebrate the season with authenticity and joy. The holiday season is a time of celebration, connection and gratitude – but for those in recovery, it can also bring unique challenges. Between family gatherings, work parties and the social pressures that often accompany them, maintaining sobriety takes planning, self-awareness and support. With the right strategies, it’s absolutely possible to stay…
“To sleep, perchance to dream” – Nov. 5, 2025 – People who regularly used melatonin supplements for at least a year were found to have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with heart failure, being hospitalized for heart failure, or dying from any cause compared with those who did not use the supplement. Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally by the pineal gland in the brain, where it helps control the body’s internal clock and the cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Levels rise at night and drop during the day. Synthetic melatonin, which is chemically identical to the natural hormone,…
HEART SMART – November 5, 2025 – When people think about good foods for their hearts, they tend to picture expensive supplements or trendy products. However, according to doctor Elizabeth Klodas, a specialist prevention cardiologist, the best food to care for our hearts is something very simple, affordable, and easy to get: oats. Dr. Klodas confirms this food is one of the most beneficial foods for our hearts’ health. It helps reduce cholesterol, control weight, and keep a healthy digestive system. Oats is one of the most studied grains in the world, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health. It…
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND – Nov. 5, 2025 – A growing body of evidence suggests that the health consequences of early life stress can be transmitted across generations. Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, can have lasting effects on an individual’s mental and physical health. Research also indicates that children of parents who were exposed to such adversity are at a higher risk for developing their own behavioral and metabolic issues. Scientists are working to identify the biological pathways through which these effects might be passed down. Breast milk, a complex fluid rich in bioactive…
ELEVENTH HOUR RESCUE – Nov. 3, 2025 – The mistaken belief that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) must “hit rock bottom” has shaped addiction care for decades. This model contrasts with how medicine manages chronic illnesses, where early detection and proactive treatment are normal. The “bottom” in addiction is a moment of maximum despair and hopelessness. It also may be a life-changing event like getting fired, losing a relationship, or facing legal charges. It could mean a moment between considering changing one’s life or suicide. For more than 30 years, I have proposed that addiction treatment must “move up…
COMPASSION MATTERS – Nov. 6, 2025 – State Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp, will celebrate 28 years of sobriety from drug and alcohol use next month. He’s deeply proud of the milestone and said his own life informs how he approaches topics of addiction and mental health in his work as a state lawmaker and his career as a police officer for the Chippewa County village of Cadott. “I’ve been to jail, and I had to make decisions to turn my life around myself,” James told the Cap Times. “There’s times where I was seeking sobriety and I failed, and I…
VIDEO – CHANGE IS GOOD – Nov. 6, 2025 – The Antidote is pioneering a holistic approach that starts with gut health. Founded by licensed counselor Meg Wilson, the program combines amino acid therapy, nutritional support, and traditional counseling to help clients reclaim their lives. “Here is an antidote for drug abuse that is 100% effective … Don’t do drugs .” See Website
BECAUSE I COULD – Nov. 6, 2025 – I’ve always been good at quitting obligations (see: piano lessons, ballet classes, infinite sports teams, and, in one memorable instance, a babysitting job that would have required me to fly from New York to Los Angeles in sole charge of an eight-month-old). But when it comes to vices, I have a hard time letting go. I love to ride the absolute wheels off the things I love—even when they stop loving me back—and, to that end, it took me about three years of near-constant cannabis use to realize that my relationship with…
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – 18,000,000 Views – Absolutely brilliant. I was having a bad day, and this made me cry uncontrollably. Thank you all involved including the crowd. Now got the strength to carry on. This is what our lives should be about. Art and music in the streets. For everyone. See Website
VIDEO – A STAR IS SOBER – Nov. 7, 2025 – Sir Anthony Hopkins has had one of the most storied careers in film and now the Welsh actor is releasing his first memoir, “We Did Ok, Kid,” where he recounts the moments that made him. NBC’s Kaylee Hartung sits down with the legendary actor where he opens up about his battle with alcoholism, his favorite movie roles … he has no plans to retire and what keeps him happy now at 87-years-old. See Website
STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – Nov. 11, 2025 – I am a director, actor, entertainer, creative coach & teacher in NYC. I have a nightlife persona Lavinia Draper IG/FB/TikTok @mslavinianycI wrote a musical Doing Time With Lavinia.I work for Roadrecovery.org.At the LGBTQ center in NYC.I have a residency as an entertainer at The Stonewall in NYC.I help create Events and show IG/ FB @susancampanaro. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?A. My recovery date is APRIL 7,1991.I loved brown liquorvodka martiniAnd straight Scotch or Martel.Beer always made me sick…
CHEAPER TOO! – Nov. 6, 2025 – We wanted to determine whether the pain medication’s effects were consistent in males and females separately. And what we found is that in both subgroups (males and females), the non-opioid was superior for that first day and night, and then no worse than the opioid for the rest of the post-op period.” The trial that produced both papers, funded by an $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, compared patients who received 400 milligrams of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) combined with 500 milligrams of acetaminophen (Tylenol) against those who got 5 milligrams…
AUDIO – ONE CLENT AT A TIME – Nov. 3, 2025 – A new book explores the dark side of the drug rehabilitation industry. It’s called “Rehab: An American Scandal,” and it’s written by Shoshana Walter, an investigative reporter with The Marshall Project. Walter joined “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio for a conversation about the failures and expenses of drug rehab. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation. David Brancaccio: Give us a sense at least of the lay of the land in the world of rehab: Generally for-profit? A mixture of big players and small outfits?…
BOZO MAKES A COMEBACK – Nov. 4, 2025 – An alleged extortion attempt, a petty yearslong grudge, shocking social media posts, and ominous text messages make up the latest scandal at the Food and Drug Administration, an agency that industry outsiders are calling a “clown show” and “soap opera” amid the Trump administration’s leadership. Federal health agencies, in general, have taken heavy blows in Trump’s second term. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in particular, has seen the abrupt dismantling of whole programs and divisions—teams that provide critical health services to Americans. CDC staff regularly describe being demoralized over…