“People waste all their time. They’re alive for just so long, and they waste their time on recriminations and retributions and all such nonsense.” – Jack Kerouac, b. 1922 – d. 1969
Author: Leonard Buschel
MIRACULOUS MEETING – Oct. 7, 2025 – A recovering alcoholic marked two years sober by cycling up an Italian volcano and was overjoyed to meet his music hero in the process. Stoke-on-Trent cyclist Phil James bumped into The Jam’s Paul Weller on the streets of Sorrento and they shared their sober journeys, with Weller’s spanning two decades. The father-of-two described the Modfather as “massively supportive” when he explained he was in the country to pedal up Mount Vesuvius as part of his recovery. “It blew my mind, if I’m honest with you,” reflected Mr James. “We were just talking together…
HEALTHY PEOPLE RISE UP – Sept. 28, 2025 – Almost 100 people gathered at Mount Royal Park for a wellness walk organized by Sober Is the New Cool on Saturday. The event is part of a growing international movement, with the walk now held in over 30 countries, from the United States to Australia, the U.K. and India. The gathering was also timed ahead of International Recovery Day. The organization was founded by Montrealer Kim Bellas, after her son was diagnosed with epilepsy. Because alcohol can increase the risk of seizures and other symptoms for people with epilepsy, it’s often…
VIDEO – PRIVILEGE MATTERS – Oct. 8, 2025 – In an exclusive “CBS Mornings Plus” report, a unique program is giving doctors battling substance abuse a second chance. The initiative allows physicians to keep treating patients while receiving care themselves. It is among the most successful recovery programs ever studied. “CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. MORE
MIND OVER MATTER? – Oct. 8, 2025 – Tramadol, a potent synthetic opioid, has been widely used to treat moderate to severe pain, but a new study suggests that the medication’s potential risks outweigh its “limited” benefits for chronic pain and that the use of it should be minimized. The study found that tramadol may have a “slight effect” on reducing chronic pain, but there appears to be low evidence. “The findings indicate that the benefits of tramadol are questionable or, at the very least, uncertain. Furthermore, evidence suggests the presence of potentially harmful effects,” Dr. Janus Jakobsen, lead author…
AUDIO – EIGHT THE HARD WAY – Sept. 29, 2025 – Earlier this year, Ford spoke with Steve Hamilton, author of “I WANT MY LIFE BACK”, a powerful memoir detailing his decades-long battle with drug addiction and his journey to recovery. For over 30 years, Hamilton has been a beacon of hope in communities across South Africa, Namibia, and Eswatini, dedicating his life to helping others overcome addiction. As a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, he’s inspired countless people through school talks, conferences, and business events. Now, Hamilton is facing the greatest challenge of his life, a diagnosis of aggressive…
IT’S COMPLICATED – Oct. 7, 2025 – The brain physically adapts to rely on drinking as a way to ease stress and anxiety—creating a powerful cycle that makes quitting extremely difficult. Experts say the finding pinpoints a biological mechanism behind addiction, offering fresh evidence that alcoholism is not simply about pleasure or willpower, but deep-rooted changes in brain function. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science, found the effect occurs in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, a region that helps regulate stress and emotional states. Lead author Professor Friedbert Weiss said: ‘What makes addiction so hard to…
AUDIO – THEY ARE OUR FUTURE – PODCAST – On this episode of the WGNS Rutherford Issues Podcast, Scott Walker fills in for Bryan Barrett to discuss the Steered Straight program with guest Jennifer Sanchez. Together, they dive into the challenges facing today’s youth — from the growing use of vapes and vaping products among teens to the dangers of parental unawareness about the addictive nature of these devices. Sanchez shares real stories about how some parents unintentionally (and sometimes knowingly) provide access to vaping devices, leaving them around the house or even purchasing them for their children. The discussion…
THE CLEAN LOTUS – October 6, 2025 – Jason Isaacs hit his 27-year sobriety milestone on Oct. 5. The White Lotus star, who hails from Liverpool, England, also got candid about his history with substances until getting clean and sober at age 35. “27 years ago today, the sun rose on the first 24 hours I’d had clean of drugs and alcohol in my entire adult life,” he wrote. That morning, Isaacs recalls, he felt hope for the first time in years: “I’d got through one night. Who knew what was possible?” From there on, Isaacs approached sobriety “one step…
SCIENCE MATTERS – Oct. 8, 2025 – Nabarun Dasgupta digs through drug overdose data obsessively, scrutinizing the latest numbers from around the U.S. for clues about America’s deadly overdose crisis. Fatal overdoses were dropping fast, the biggest, most hopeful shift in decades. At a time when many politicians and most experts were talking about what seemed like an unstoppable fentanyl crisis, Dasgupta showed deaths had actually been declining steadily in many states. Dasgupta’s groundbreaking research has now been recognized by the MacArthur Foundation with one of this year’s coveted “genius” fellowships, which come with a monetary award of $800,000. In…
VIDEO – BETTER DAYS NOW – Sept. 13, 2025 – Drug addiction is one of the biggest challenges faced by many individuals living on the streets. However, one woman is sharing her story of overcoming her struggles and the motivation that keeps her fighting. Gabby emphasizes the joy that recovery can bring to families. “That’s what people should see – the happiness it brings to families.” She had her first son when she was just 21, while still battling her addiction, which lasted for ten years. “That is probably one of the hardest things – they had to go through…
WHAT ME WORRY? – Oct. 8, 2025 – If intelligence and education help defend against alcohol addiction, then it isn’t about innate ability. It’s all about opportunity. Societies that foster cognitive development and educational equity might (indirectly) help curb a population’s addiction risk. Why do some people develop alcohol use disorder (AUD)? And why do other stay sober – even when they come from the same environment? Questions like these drove the research behind a sweeping new study appearing in JAMA Psychiatry. In it, the authors suggest that (at least part of) the answer stems from the drinker’s intelligence – …
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN – Oct. 10, 2025 – The tribunal reviewed Oliveira’s claim that the substance entered his system unintentionally, either through kissing or environmental contamination. The 30-year-old Portuguese-born athlete argued that the positive result came from a kiss, but an independent tribunal rejected his explanation. Oliveira, who reached a career-high doubles ranking of 77th in 2020, is now barred from competing, coaching or attending any sanctioned tennis events during his period of ineligibility. While unusual, Oliveira’s case is part of a rare group of doping incidents linked to intimate contact. In 2009, French tennis player Richard Gasquet…
BUSY MAN – Oct. 5, 2025 – Keith Powers has captivated audiences not only with his talent on screen but also through his advocacy and personal journey of growth. From his acting career to his public service and sobriety milestones, Powers exemplifies resilience, authenticity, and a dedication to self-improvement. His multifaceted career and life experiences make him a figure of great interest and admiration. Keith Powers, widely recognized for his roles in projects like Straight Outta Compton and The Uglies, began his career with a passion for storytelling and performance. His natural charisma and dedication quickly earned him a place…
100% Proof Education – Oct. 7, 2025 – To me, grabbing a non-alcoholic drink with a friend is one of life’s simple joys. “Why don’t you drink?” they asked. “Why don’t you mind your own business?” I responded. I’ve lost count of how many times people have asked me that question. The truth is, it’s not anyone’s business. Whether someone is recovering from alcoholism, pregnant, or avoiding alcohol for medical or personal reasons, no one should have to explain themselves. I haven’t had a drink in two years, with the exception of a sip of rice wine in Korea. Before…
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – Now? – Gil Scott-Heron – piano & vocals Brian Jackson – flute Vernon James – flute Ed Brady – guitar Robert Gordon – bass Larry MacDonald – percussion. MORE
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – 4,000,000 Views – Gil Scott Heron was a jazz poet, singer, musician, writer and politically engaged! Infortunately gone too soon! For sure, we will miss him ! This was one of the very first songs to address the issues of alcoholism & alcohol abuse! I am a Native Man who was career drinker for 25 years, have been sober for 20 years now. I am now NO longer LIVING IN THE BOTTLE! MORE
AUDIO – PLUGGED IN – Oct. 4, 2025 – “I mean, little things make me happy,” Rebecca Roberts said sitting in the sun on a cafe patio in Courtenay. “Even just enjoying the beautiful nature in the Comox Valley.” It was one of the last sunny days of summer, and the breeze was just right. “I grew up here in the Comox Valley,” she said, looking out at the trees. “I moved here just before Grade 1, did all of my schooling here. I did well in school, had lots of friends.” However, she hasn’t always had that stability in…
STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – Oct. 14, 2025 – Dr. Cali Estes is a celebrity addiction specialist, psychologist, and founder of The Addictions Academy and Sober On Demand®. A six-time best-selling author and media expert, she’s helped thousands worldwide overcome addiction and burnout, combining neuroscience, mindset, and holistic strategies to turn pain into purpose and chaos into clarity. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?A. My drug of choice was speed and diet pills. I got sober at 23 years old.Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that…
FLORIDA WITHOUT A KEY – Oct. 10, 2025 – The moment she walked into Keeton House – a dilapidated, unmarked warehouse – Harris was pulled in to a six-hour meeting with an employee who told her she was above all “a criminal” and painstakingly led her through the hundreds of reasons she might face dismissal from the program—i.e. dying her hair, exchanging glances with male residents, playing cards, refusing to participate in mandatory “outside time,” and accepting any items whatsoever from anyone. Keeton House, she said, then systematically denied her access to essential resources like clothing, medicine, transportation, feminine hygiene…
WATER WINS – Oct. 7, 2025 – Low or non-sugar-sweetened beverages were linked to a greater risk for liver-related mortality. Sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with about a 50% greater risk for MASLD, and low or non-sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with 60% greater risk. The results also found that consuming either beverage type was linked to liver fat content. At the same time, drinking low or non-sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with an increased risk for liver-related mortality, but sugar-sweetened beverages did not have a significant association. The researchers also found that the association between low or non-sugar-sweetened beverages and liver-related mortality…
CAN YOU STOMACH IT? – Oct. 9, 2025 – What he didn’t know is that low- or sugar-free sweetened drinks were actually associated with a higher risk of liver disease. A study that tracked over 100,000 participants from the UB Biobank, found that having even one can of diet or zero-sugar drinks was associated with a 60 per cent higher risk of developing Liver Disease. This study also found that diet drinks were linked to a higher risk of dying from liver disease. No such association was found between sugary drinks and liver-related death. MRI scans confirmed that both beverage…
VIDEO – TOO MUCH CHAMPAGNE – Oct. 8, 2025 – Iverson, talking about his new memoir “Misunderstood” on ESPN’s “First Take,” discussed the lowest point of his life — and it didn’t involve anything that happened on a basketball court. As a part of that deep reevaluation of himself and rebuilding of his marriage, Iverson, 50, said he realized that alcohol was a big problem, and he was tired of fighting it. “It’s a plethora of things. Ultimately, when you evaluate your maturation and what’s important and what you mean to your family and friends and the world, I just…
BUSINESS AS USUAL? – Oct. 8, 2025 – Penny Lamb and Jeffery Lichtenberg were 1,500 miles from their home in Oklahoma with no money and no prospects when they were kicked out of their drug rehab program. None of it had gone as expected. Months earlier, Lichtenberg said, a man he knew from a past prison stay had promised to help if they ever wanted to kick their meth habits. The man texted photos of rehabs that looked like Hollywood mansions for movie stars, with swimming pools and hot tubs. They wouldn’t have to pay a cent … When they…
ONE CELEBRATION AT A TIME – Oct. 8, 2025 – Marcus Jordan is on the straight and narrow after a difficult last few years. The 34-year-old personality recently celebrated six months of sobriety with his father, Michael Jordan, and their family. The former UCF hooper shared photos on Instagram, seemingly depicting all that he has been up to during this journey. That included boat rides with his legendary dad while several fans cheered and waved, catching a massive fish, popping a champagne bottle, traveling on a Jordan-branded plane, attending NASCAR events, watching Lil Wayne perform, and reflecting on his youth. …
GREY HAIR -SILVER THOUGHTS – Sept. 12, 2025 – Silver Sobriety has a mission to “address the unique addiction needs of adults age 50 and older.” The organization’s services, focus on education, provide support in a peer-group setting through a 12-step, six- to 12-month recovery program. Groups meet three times a week for two hours…“In recovery, it’s demonstrated that people are more successful getting sober with their peer group,” said Miller of the program’s structure. “We structured it that way because we felt it was a good way for people to share. We go around the circle, do a reading,…
QUALITY NOT QUANTITY – Oct. 1, 2025 – Every gulp of fizzy pop might remind you of your youth, but it’s actually nicking precious time from your adult years. A study that scrutinised over 5,800 foods in the American diet discovered that sipping a soft drink could rob 12 minutes of a “healthy life.” The study also found that scoffing a hot dog could knock off 36 minutes of a healthy life, “Vegetarian and vegan options have become standard fare in the American diet, from posh restaurants to fast-food chains. “And many people know that the food choices they make…
OLDER NOT WISER – Oct. 8, 2025 – The researchers found the overall prevalence of UPFA was 12.4 percent and was higher among women than men (16.9 versus 7.5 percent), with the highest rate seen for women aged 50 to 64 years (21 percent). Men and women reporting being overweight were 19.14 and 11.44 times more likely to meet the criteria for UPF. “Today’s older adults were in a key developmental period when our nation’s food environment changed,” Loch said in a statement. “With other research showing clear links between consumption of these foods and risk of chronic disease and…
CHAT THIS – Oct. 4, 2025 – A former OpenAI safety researcher is horrified with how ChatGPT keeps causing disturbing episode of “AI psychosis” — the term that psychiatrists are using to describe mental health crises where users of that chatbot succumb to delusional beliefs and suffer dangerous breaks with reality. Allan Brooks with no history of mental illness became convinced by ChatGPT that he’d discovered a new form of mathematics — a familiar phenomenon in AI-fueled delusions. Brooks’ story was covered by the New York Times, but Adler, with the man’s permission, also sifted through over one million words…
DEATH DON’T HAVE NO MERCY – Oct. 8, 2025 – A dangerous drug trend called “bluetoothing,” in which people inject themselves with the blood of other drug users to get a cheap high, is contributing to spikes in H.I.V. rates in infection hot spots around the world. The blood-sharing practice, which is many times riskier than sharing needles…has helped fuel one of the fastest-growing H.I.V. epidemics in Fiji and grown widespread in South Africa, another infection capital, according to public health authorities and researchers. The idea of sharing drug-laced blood is so unthinkably dangerous that for years, experts have questioned…