SO DO ASSHOLES – Jan. 1, 2025 – He has lost a brother and a niece to overdoses. Kennedy’s own heroin addiction began when he was a teenager, following his father’s assassination. It ended when he was arrested at age 29 for felony possession and given two years’ probation. He spent time in rehab and in the decades since has regularly attended 12-step meetings. At the premiere of Recovering America, Kennedy summarized his approach: “The government has a role in actually pressuring the addict, to say, ‘We’re not going to tolerate you on the street anymore,’ to do tough love…
Author: Leonard Buschel
VANITY INSANITY – Jan. 6, 2025 – “Winning a beauty pageant is like a high … but the thing about highs is that there are terrible lows.” The ultimate validation in a world where I otherwise felt othered. Every pageant win after the first was like a fresh hit. You might be thinking, “Cry me a river,” right? But I’d gotten to a place where not winning felt like the worst hangover multiplied by a million. To add insult to injury, I felt vulnerable and exposed. You know what you need to do to survive when you have a hangover?…
STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – Jan. 14, 2025 – Shadoe Stevens – Radio Hall of Fame inductee, hosted AT40 – one billion listeners/110 countries – Created Alternative Rock Programming “WORLD FAMOUS KROQ-FM” & KMET-FM – Billboard Magazine Personality of the Year Award – CLEO Awards – 1100 commercials creating Fred Rated – TV, films, & Hollywood Squares – voice of Antenna TV – created MENTALRADIO.NET – multi-media artist – married – with 3 children. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date? A. Anything UP – coke, crystal, prescription speed,…
VIDEO – MUSICAL PRAYER – 1983 – 5,739,558 views since Jul 8, 2016 – It was originally released on his 1983 album Trouble in Paradise. I lived in Los Angeles for a total of 25 years and while I experienced my share of earthquakes, wind storms and the occasional fire in that time, I never thought it could get as bad as it was this past week with the fires raging in the Pacific Palisades and other parts of the city. And it still isn’t completely over. CONTINUE@YouTube
VIDEO – TERRIBLE TRAGEDY – Jan. 9, 2024 – Rupert Murdoch’s granddaughter Charlotte Murdoch Freud admitted she has been left heartbroken after her friends’ homes, local restaurants and her regular AA meetings have all been affected by the tragic blazes. ‘LA people please listen to the evacuation orders, you never think something like this will affect you until it does.’ CONTINUE@DailyMail
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – Now – 139,724 views since Aug 22, 2017 / (originally released November 27, 1970) 55 Years ago. “Some songs can actually make me cry from lyrics alone never mind the music and this is absolutely one of them.” În the end, I’ve learned that all does matter are simple things like health, sunshine in the morning, staying on a beach with the sea in front of you and with yourself … all things must pass away, my love. There is no other way to live this life here, now…. CONTINUE@YouTube
AUDIO – MAYBE – Jan. 7, 2025 – Last week, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in an advisory that studies suggest alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer, contributing to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 related deaths each year. For that reason, he says health warning labels on bottles of alcohol should be updated to include a cancer risk warning and that recommended limits for alcohol consumption should also be reassessed, given the increased risk of certain cancers. CONTINUE@WashingtonPost
NO ONE WANTS TO DIE – Jan. 3, 2025 – Alcohol’s role in causing cancer becomes clearer each year—and now United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has joined the chorus of researchers and advocates in flagging the risk. On January 3, 2025, Dr. Murthy’s office released Alcohol and Cancer Risk, calling attention to alcohol’s status as one of the leading behavioral risk factors for cancer, and urging Congress to reconsider the existing outdated cancer warning labels. The report shines stark light on how current federal policy has failed U.S. residents, falling well short of the state of medical knowledge and…
FAME GOES BOTH WAYS – Jan. 8, 2025 – She made a frank post on Instagram with a video and described herself as an alcoholic and a drug addict, while expressing her gratitude at emerging from those dependencies. “Today marks five years clean and sober from all drugs and alcohol, to say that I’m thankful would be a poor euphemism,” she said Paris Jackson, a singer-songwriter, 26, added in the post, on Tuesday: “Gratitude hardly scratches the surface. It’s because I’m sober that I get to smile today. I get to make music. I get to experience the joy of…
SHE’S OBSERVANT – Jan. 10, 2025 – She sounded off on the evolving perception of sobriety, sharing she’s been cutting down on drinking — but noticed people who say they’re alcohol-free will still do drugs. “You start to really start feeling healthier and lighter and your eyes whiter and sleeping better after a certain period of time … “You’re not staying out late doing stupid things.” Sobriety can also add a level of complication when you’re dating, she says, because “Dating is hard to do without drinking. It’s something to do,” she explained, adding that she spent New Year’s Eve…
THE “C” WORD? – Jan. 7, 2025 – Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, released a new advisory recommending that alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, carry a warning about potential cancer risks. The recommendation was praised by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The new guidelines, which will require approval from Congress, would inform consumers that drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol could increase the risk of developing at least seven cancer types, including: …. In the report, Dr. Murthy noted that alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., behind tobacco use and obesity. “Alcohol…
VIDEO – HONESTLY I HOPE – Jan. 8, 2025 – The Flip it Like Disick star, who shares children Mason, 15, Penelope, 12, and Reign, 10, with ex Kourtney Kardashian, revealed he doesn’t sugar coat his past struggles with alcohol abuse and even shared detained the candid conversations he’s had with Mason about his addiction. “The truth is, I do explain to Mason how drinking affected me and how badly it put me in certain places, and he knows that,” he told Khloé Kardashian on her Khloé in Wonder Land podcast’s debut episode Jan. 8. “And he for a while…
IS IT? or ISN’T IT? – Jan 8, 2025 – Although it’s been used since the 1980s, naltrexone remains a relatively unknown treatment for alcohol dependency. Costing around £3 per pill, the drug blocks the “euphoric and sedative effects” of alcohol which helps “reduce cravings.” Naltrexone reportedly has a claimed 80% success rate in clinical trials and can be prescribed by the NHS but is more commonly accessible privately. However, some argue that the drug could be used for heavy drinkers who do not meet the “criteria for alcohol addiction” and help stop them from “mindlessly” drinking, which can lead…
“Death is not the end of anything…I believe we are all just energy that becomes matter…When the matter is gone…The energy still exists…You can’t destroy it…It never dies…” – Willie Nelson
USE DISINFECTANT WIPES – Dec. 30, 2024 – Here’s How to Clean It the Right WayIt’s not a lie — your phone harbors more bacteria than a toilet seat. Considering you put your phone against your face when making calls and you likely have your phone in your hand most of the day, there’s a very compelling case for needing to clean your device regularly. According to the FCC, you should be cleaning your phone at least once a day by following your phone’s manual for cleaning instructions. Cleaning your device the wrong way (like using rubbing alcohol and paper…
SAVE A LIFE FOR LE$$ – Jan. 2, 2025 – Walgreens recently introduced a store-brand version of naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication. The Walgreens medication is called Walgreens Brand Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray and is available on the company’s website, and at stores throughout the country in the pain relief aisle. The cost of Walgreens over-the-counter naloxone is $34.99 for a two-pack supply, $10 less than brand-name OTC naloxone, which the FDA first authorized in 2023. Naloxone, administered as a spray in the nostrils of so Because OTC naloxone allows purchasers to bypass the pharmacy counter, it fills a…
DEPENDS ON YOU – Dec. 31, 2024 – “The Shining” (book 1977, film 1980) is about a white-knuckle alcoholic’s descent into his disease and its effects on his mind, career and family. I didn’t learn this until recently. I just thought it was about how scary it is to be married to a writer. I moved from L.A. to New York City three years ago as a writer and representative of a small literary magazine that I ran out of my downtown apartment with my friend… As editors we oversaw the publication of seven issues, each culminating in what felt…
POSITIVE SURPRISES – Dec. 31, 2024 – Intravenous opioid overdoses have decreased but smoking, speedballing, and polydrug deaths continue – Non-fatal overdoses should not be ignored and cause neurological injury due to hypoxia. – Psilocybin causes profound and widespread— yet not permanent—changes to the brain’s functional networks. – The psychedelic Ibogaine may offer hope for soldiers and others with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent a global challenge, profoundly affecting individuals, families, and communities. Nevertheless, researchers are making considerable progress in understanding and treating addictions. Of the thousands of peer-reviewed reports published each year, this post…
‘Twas It So Easy – Dec. 28, 2024 – For Christine Coulson, a lifetime of drinking ended with one final cocktail-filled Christmas, and a New Year’s resolution she was determined to stick to. ‘I’d been telling myself my drinking was fine for a long time,’ she tells Metro. ‘But I wasn’t allowing myself to live a good life, because I was making the decision to sit on my sofa to drink. ‘I drank more at university, but that was fine because didn’t everyone?’ she says. ‘When I graduated and got a job in the finance industry in London, the boozy…
VIDEO – WOMANLY WISDOM – Dec. 31, 2024 – Rachel shares her journey through alcoholism, the turning point that led her to sobriety, and the profound impact it had on her mental health. With honesty and courage, Rachel discusses the struggles of addiction, the challenges of recovery, and how embracing sobriety has transformed her life. Her story is a testament to resilience and hope, inspiring others to overcome their own obstacles. CONTINUE@YouTube
ALL THE RIGHT NOTES – Dec. 27, 2024 – “I woke up this morning with 6 years clean & sober. This comes after decades of drinking nearly every day & with the final 10 years of that compounded by an aggressively progressive opiate addiction that almost killed me. I’m writing this just in case someone out there who feels as hopeless, helpless & crippled by addiction as I once did might read it & start to believe that recovery IS possible. “You can get clean & live a life beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed of. Find an alcoholic or addict…
LEARNING FROM LOVE – Jan. 1, 2025 – Aze Reda has worked at Visions of the Cross for over a year, teaching a class and counseling 15 to 20 clients that he meets with one-on-one. Reda said that he works with clients to not only overcome addiction but to also help develop treatment plans for them that focus on navigating specific problems or barriers that interfere with their lives. The program goes from residential care, intensive outpatient, to outpatient. Aze said that the whole time clients are with Vision, they take weekly urine analysis screenings to ensure their sobriety. Sober…
GOOD THINGS – Jan. 1, 2025 – But what happens to your body when you stop drinking? To find out, we explored scientific research and spoke with registered dietitians who shared insights on the immediate and long-term benefits. From better sleep and mental clarity to healthier skin and improved liver function, giving up alcohol triggers a cascade of positive changes in your body. According to the NIH, alcohol can contribute to liver inflammation and fatty liver disease. However, giving up alcohol gives your liver the chance to repair and regenerate. “Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and excessive alcohol consumption…
BETTER THAN GINGER ALE? – Jan. 1, 2024 – From sparkling water with botanical infusions to zero-proof spirits designed for mixology, these drinks offer variety for those abstaining from alcohol. As more people embrace Dry January, the trend shows no signs of slowing. In fact, the global no- (and low-ABV) market is expected to grow by another 31% by 2026. Betty Buzz, the brainchild of actress Blake Lively, offers a range of non-alcoholic sparkling mixers crafted from clean ingredients. Designed to complement various spirits, these beverages also stand alone as flavorful zero-proof options, catering to consumers seeking alcohol-free alternatives. CONTINUE@Forbes
FAMILY MATTERS – Dec. 31, 2024 – Riley thinks Lisa Marie’s blunt honesty scared the shit out of grandma Priscilla and other people. To people who didn’t know Lisa Marie and her personality, she was just this scary tiny lady. Lisa wasn’t mean but she didn’t hide her emotions or unhappiness and wasn’t afraid to express herself. Riley isn’t like that and finds that quality in her mother admirable. Riley has thought a lot about her mother Lisa Marie and grandmother Priscilla Presley’s complicated relationship since her mother’s death. She admits she didn’t think about their relationship when her mom…
SEVENTY – Jan. 2, 2024 – Dr Richard Restak, 83, has written more than 20 books on the human brain and in The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind, he revealed what age you should quit alcohol. Essentially, Dr Restak advises his patients to turn down the bottle at age 70 at the latest, as over 65s typically have fewer brain neurons. “Alcohol is a very, very weak neurotoxin – it’s not good for nerve cells.” Writing in his book How To Prevent Dementia, Dr Restak spoke further surrounding the link between alcohol and developing Alzheimer’s.…
LIFE – Dec. 31, 2024 – In the midst of those “wild child” days, John says he was introduced to cocaine by his ex-lover and then manager John Reid, and he took to it.It was his experience with Ryan White, the teenager diagnosed with AIDS in the early days of the epidemic, which helped John turn his life around. Spending time with White, who used his last years advocating for people with AIDS as he was dying from the disease, showed John how selfishly he was living. When White died, he was at the hospital with him. “It all came…
CONGRATULATIONS RHOC – Dec, 31, 2024 – Gina also used to turn to booze to handle her life. But then, Gina realized that alcohol was no longer serving her, so she broke up with the bottle. Gina should be applauded for staying the course. She is also clapping for herself, as sobriety saw Gina experiencing a “transformative” 2024. New Year’s Eve typically arrives with many reflective social media posts, where users select the highlights of their year to showcase to their followers. Gina looked back on the past 12 months with videos and images, helping to explain the lessons she…
VIDEO – LIVES MATTER – Dec. 31, 2024 – “Each number of those is a person,” said Jessica Stanley, regional overdose prevention specialist. “So that is initially 422 families.” Numbers from Tennessee show naloxone reversed 422 opioid overdoses from October of 2023 to September of 2024 in Knox County. Stanley works to equip neighbors with this type of medication. “We want to make sure they know what it is, how to use it, the signs and symptoms,” Stanley said. She said she targets three groups: People at high risk of an overdose – Friends and families of the user -…
VIDEO – FILMS MATTER – Dec. 2, 2025 – The new film Hazard takes place in an Appalachian town and follows the lives of a young couple as one man tries to break his cycle with addiction for the betterment of himself and his family. Writer and director Eddie Mensore shares how this heartfelt and gritty drama was inspired by his friend’s brother who experience a similar story in Hazard Kentucky. Not only does this film Highlight the regions on going-opioid crisis but gets up close and personal into the everyday battles of addiction. “I got to go to…