“We would typically not blame a patient with a chronic medical condition for their problem; nor imbue the patient with shame over their offending organ—why do we seem to do this with addiction?” The news that Demi Lovato was hospitalized of a suspected drug overdose has sent her celebrity friends and fans into overdrive; they… Continue reading Relapsing While Famous: Demi Lovato, Stigma, and Compassion
Category: Addiction News
DEA Agents Who Helped Bring Down Escobar To Tackle Opioids In New Series
The docu-series will reportedly give viewers unprecedented access to how the DEA plans and executes drug busts. Steve Murphy and Javier Peña are the former DEA agents who brought down cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar. The Netflix show Narcos is based on their true experiences fighting the drug trade. Now Murphy and Peña are behind a… Continue reading DEA Agents Who Helped Bring Down Escobar To Tackle Opioids In New Series
Vets Turn To Medical Pot, Despite The VA's Policy
The VA remains focused on studying the drug’s “problems of use” instead of its “therapeutic potential.” Once a month, the veterans’ hall in Santa Cruz, California, is home to an unlikely meeting, where dozens of former service members line up to receive a voucher for free cannabis products from local distributors. “I never touched the… Continue reading Vets Turn To Medical Pot, Despite The VA's Policy
How Processed Meats May Affect Mental Health
A new study examined whether the nitrates used to cure meat played a role in manic episodes. Nitrates, a chemical relied on to cure meat, is believed to be linked to mania, a symptom of mental illness, Newsweek reports. According to Psych Central, manic episodes are “a mood state characterized by period of at… Continue reading How Processed Meats May Affect Mental Health
Could Anti-Anxiety Meds Be The Next Prescription Drug Epidemic?
“We have this whole infrastructure set up to prevent overprescribing of opioids and address the need for addiction treatment. We need to start making benzos part of that.” An increase in the number of drug overdose deaths among individuals who used benzodiazepines has some state and local health officials concerned that the drugs could be at… Continue reading Could Anti-Anxiety Meds Be The Next Prescription Drug Epidemic?
International Conference of Secular AA Coming To Toronto In August
All members of AA are welcome to attend the conference, which takes place August 24-26 in Toronto, ON. The third biennial conference of Secular AA (ICSAA 2018), with a theme of inclusion and diversity, will take place in Toronto, ON from August 24th through August 26th later this summer. The conference will take place at… Continue reading International Conference of Secular AA Coming To Toronto In August
Ultra Marathoner Charlie Engle Runs 26 Hours To Celebrate 26 Years Sober
Charlie Engle has been sober since 1992. Supporters cheered on ultramarathon runner Charlie Engle on Sunday, as he ran for 26 hours to celebrate 26 years of sobriety. “It’s an unusual way to celebrate but for me, running was a lifesaver,” said Engle, according to ABC 11 News. He said he’s running to “show those… Continue reading Ultra Marathoner Charlie Engle Runs 26 Hours To Celebrate 26 Years Sober
Demi Lovato's Fans Pay Tribute To Her Mental Health & Recovery Advocacy
Fans created the hashtag #HowDemiHasHelpedMe to tell the world how the pop star’s advocacy work has positively affected their lives. Pop star Demi Lovato has made a name for herself as a champion of mental health and recovery support—having herself battled problem drug use, bipolar disorder, and self-harm. The impact of her advocacy is real.… Continue reading Demi Lovato's Fans Pay Tribute To Her Mental Health & Recovery Advocacy
"I Wish Daddy Didn't Drink So Much": Judith Vigna’s Misguided Bibliotherapy
Vigna seems convinced that a few watercolor washes can make the world a better place, but her idealism is misguided; stories of the horrible undercurrent of the real world are more likely to scare children. Although the following review is not positive, I empathize with what Judith Vigna tried to accomplish. In the late 1980’s,… Continue reading "I Wish Daddy Didn't Drink So Much": Judith Vigna’s Misguided Bibliotherapy
Recovery Advocates Respond To Trump's Opioid PSAs With New Video
Two recovery advocates made a personal video about their addiction struggles in hopes of getting a meeting with the president to discuss opioid policies. The Trump Administration’s quartet of “Know the Truth” public service announcements about the dangers of opioid use and abuse have garnered mixed reviews from the recovery community for their shocking tone. They… Continue reading Recovery Advocates Respond To Trump's Opioid PSAs With New Video