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 Tuesday, November 18, 2014  |  That Was the Week That Was  |  Volume 2. No. 13 
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Betty Ford Just Went to a Naval Hospital
World’s Most Peculiar Drug Rehab Centers

Being put into a coma might not seem an obvious choice to someone looking to overcome their addiction to drugs, but it is one option on offer. Here is a flavour of the world’s less usual rehab centers and their methods. Many celebrities choose luxurious facilities to cure their addictions. One of the most famous is the Betty Ford clinic in America, where Pete Doherty (pictured) and other famous musicians or actors check in regularly.The clinic provides clients with lavish facilities and the feeling of staying in a hotel.
CONTINUED 

Connections In HIGH Places
90 Pounds Of Cocaine Found On Ship Owned By Senator Mitch McConnell’s Family

A cargo ship connected to Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell was recently stopped and searched before departing from Colombia. During the search, Colombian Coast Guard agents seized roughly 90 pounds of cocaine. Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/90-pounds-cocaine-cargo-ship-owned-anti-drug-senators-family.  The drugs were found on the Ping May, a vessel operated by the Foremost Maritime Corporation, a company owned by Mitch McConnell’s in-laws, the Chao family. It is not only relevant because the Chao family has often made large donations to McConnell’s campaigns. CONTINUED 

Does It Include Naloxone ?   VIDEO
Arizona University Installs Prescription Drug Vending Machine  VIDEO

School officials didn’t specify exactly what kind of drugs will be available in the machine, but said it would contain 50 medications that are most commonly prescribed to college studentsPreviously, the InstyMeds vending machines were only placed in emergency rooms, out-patient surgery offices and urgent-care offices, KPNX reports. ASU is the second university to get such a machine, according to company officials, with Florida State University having one as well. CONTINUED 

PENALTY: Roughing The Pusher
DEA Stages Raid of Visiting NFL Teams’ Painkiller Use VIDEO

The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating claims of inappropriate distribution of painkillers by NFL teams, following a recent lawsuit filed by former NFL players, and have agents on site at several NFL stadiums Sunday to question team doctors and trainers, according to a law enforcement source. DEA agents were on site, without notice, to approach the medical staffs of the visiting teams at games and ensure all laws pertaining to the controlled substances are being followed as per the Controlled Substances Act. CONTINUED 

Kanpai
Japan Finally Takes a  Look at Alcohol Abuse

An estimated 10 million people were meanwhile found to have potential dependency issues – drinking more than 60 grams of alcohol a day, the equivalent of three midsize bottles of beer. But only around 40,000 seek treatment, Higuchi said. There is the All Nippon Abstinence Association (Zen Nihon Danshu Renmei), a support group for recovering alcoholics. The group has branches all over Japan and holds meetings where recovering alcoholics and  family members attend and share their experiences. CONTINUED 

For Whom the Bong Tolls
Regular Pot Smokers Have Shrunken Brains

According to a team of scientists marijuana users had “significantly less volume” to their orbitofrontal cortex, a region of the brain that is critical to how a person processes reward, motivation and addictive decisions. Researchers noted that the IQ of the marijuana-using group was significantly lower than that of the non-using group–not a finding of the study, but an incidental factor that might be indirectly linked to marijuana use.
CONTINUED 

 6.9 Billion Is A Lot of Money
Mother’s Little Anti-Psychotic Is Worth        $6.9 Billion A Year

Abilify, the powerful anti-psychotic medication that’s now widely used to treat depression. From April 2013, through March 2014, sales of Abilify (official name, aripriprazole) totaled $6,885,243,368-that’s right, almost $6.9 billion. That’s more than all other major anti-depressants combined. And yet, the FDA says that the way Abilify works is “unknown.” Unknown! As in, we have no idea why this medication seems to help people with bipolar disorder. But go ahead and try it anyway, since it seems to work somehow. CONTINUED 

In The (Court) Rooms
Hollywood Rehab
Leaders Go Another Round in Court

Lightning-rod entrepreneur Alex Shohet has recovered attorneys’ fees in his long-running dispute with former business partner Dr. Howard Samuels.The acrimonious dissolution of the partnership, has woven its way through court since the beginning of the Obama administration, devolving most recently into a tit-for-tat battle over the recovery of court costs. On Oct. 6, U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee ruled that Shohet should receive his full requested $23,373.73 – as opposed to the $12,238.67 Samuels wanted.
CONTINUED 

Accidents Can Happen
Investigation Continues Into Rehab Center Patient’s Death

The investigation continues today into the death of a rehab facility patient who was discovered in a pond over the weekend. Michael Cameron was found dead Sunday morning in a pond near the Another Way Recovery Home in Farmington where he was getting treatment for drug addiction. According to state police, another patient found the 21-year-old’s body just before 8 a.m. Family said Cameron had been at the facility for almost two months. CONTINUED 

The Ultimate ‘Group Conscious’
Election Proved We
Need More Recovering Alcoholics and Addicts
in Politics

Addiction can make people behave terribly and leave a trail of ugly damage in their wake. The antidote for such a poisonous existence? First it’s just about getting clean and sober, but then it’s about changing one’s behaviors and living a better life. Living well, treating others well, and becoming a better human being. That’s the long-term antidote, and it’s made up of some fundamental ingredients that are patently lacking in contemporary American politics. CONTINUED 

Accidents Can Happen
Investigation Continues Into Rehab Center Patient’s Death

The investigation continues today into the death of a rehab facility patient who was discovered in a pond over the weekend. Michael Cameron was found dead Sunday morning in a pond near the Another Way Recovery Home in Farmington where he was getting treatment for drug addiction. According to state police, another patient found the 21-year-old’s body just before 8 a.m. Family said Cameron had been at the facility for almost two months. CONTINUED 

The Ultimate ‘Group Conscious’
Election Proved We
Need More Recovering Alcoholics and Addicts
in Politics

Addiction can make people behave terribly and leave a trail of ugly damage in their wake. The antidote for such a poisonous existence? First it’s just about getting clean and sober, but then it’s about changing one’s behaviors and living a better life. Living well, treating others well, and becoming a better human being. That’s the long-term antidote, and it’s made up of some fundamental ingredients that are patently lacking in contemporary American politics. CONTINUED 

It’s a Start
Ohio to Invest $10M
in Housing for
Addiction Recovery

“The opiate crisis has effectively changed the face of addiction in many communities, and making these timely investments undoubtedly will improve access to treatment, recovery and stability,” saidTracy Plouck, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. CONTINUED 

It’s All About Pu*sy  VIDEO
What An Alcohol Ad Looks Like When It Actually Is Honest  VIDEO

South Park took a break from its classic flat animation style for a satirical look at the confusing message alcohol advertisements send. Ah, hypocrisy in advertising. We meet again. CONTINUED 

Where Is National Guard Or CDC? VIDEO
York County Heroin Overdose Death Toll Reaches 43 This Year VIDEO

Young people dying from Heroin is being called an epidemic across the nation, and in Pennsylvania. It takes lives and destroys families. Members of the York County Heroin Task Force are ramping up their efforts to stop the spread of the problem. “It’s a drastic increase. It’s scary,” said York County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Dave Sunday. CONTINUED 

Not A Survivor
Jimi Jamison Died
From Stroke With Methamphetamine Intoxication 

According to the report obtained by Billboard.com, it states that Jamison was suffering from cardiovascular disease and narrowing of the arteries, which the coroner believes resulted in a heart attack. The autopsy found that the rocker died of a hemorrhagic brain stroke, with “acute methamphetamine intoxication contributing”. In addition to his time with Survivor, he was a member of Target and Cobra, and also co-writer and singer of Baywatch theme, I’m Always Here. CONTINUED 

Alternative Healing Methods  VIDEO
Woman Recovering From $100K/Month Addiction Turns To “Miracle” Treatments   VIDEO

Elizabeth Barnes has seen the darker side of pain killers. She lived the American dream. She was a wife, mother, and owner of a multi-million dollar business. Then, she lost it all. Barnes says, “The first thing I thought was, ‘I’m not an addict. I’m not on the street and buying them and doing them illegally.'” But Barnes spent 11 years taking powerful prescriptions. “OxyContin, oxycodone, dalotta,” she said. “I tried it all.” CONTINUED 

MEDIA: TED TALKS “regulate it” VIDEO
Why We Need to End the War on Drugs  VIDEO

Is the War on Drugs doing more harm than good? In a bold talk, drug policy reformist Ethan Nadelmann makes an impassioned plea to end the “backward, heartless, disastrous” movement to stamp out the drug trade. He gives two big reasons we should focus on intelligent regulation instead. CONTINUED 

Anonymous No More
Celebrating the Proud Life of Harold J. LeVesconte

“His AA birthday was May 1, 1969. Harold went on to work as an alcoholism counselor in several facilities including the US Navy Hospital at Great Lakes, Ill., where he tried to “dry out the Navy.” He was active in the Alcoholics Anonymous movement from 1969 until his death, serving in a number of capacities in his AA communities and shepherding many newcomers into sobriety. In 1986, Harold married Lois Fiedler and the two made San Jose their new home. Here, Harold continued his work as an alcoholism counselor and his participation in the AA community. On May 1, 2014, he achieved 45 years of sobriety, and celebrated on that occasion as a beloved elder statesman in the AA community. CONTINUED 

Sisyphus Drops The Rock
NAATP Chief, Michael Walsh, Says Goodbye  

As Michael Walsh prepares to transition out of his role as the president and CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), he has some ideas for the organization’s next leader: Earn the members’ trust and support. “When I came in, members had questions and concerns, and I did the best job I could to alleviate those concerns,” Walsh says. “Whoever comes in next will need the support of the membership because it’s a changing time in our industry right now.” Walsh is leaving after a two-and-a-half year tenure with NAATP. A search committee has been formed to identify qualified candidates to fill the position. Read the announcement of Michael Walsh‘s departure from NAATP here. CONTINUED 

Beyond 12 Steps
NIAAA Gives Guidance On Treatment Options For Alcohol Problems

“The popular concept of alcohol treatment is often limited to knowledge of 28-day inpatient rehab or 12-step programs,” said NIAAA Director Dr. George Koob, Ph.D. “In fact there are diverse treatment options of which people may be less aware, and many of which can be undertaken with minimal disruption to home and work life. A greater understanding of these options represents a contemporary approach to this problem and an important step toward improving the way we treat alcohol addiction.” CONTINUED 

Patient # 237512
90% of
Doctors Don’t Appropriately Monitor Children
on ADHD Meds

“The quality of care seems to be very low and not in accord with American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines,” lead author Jeffery Epstein, director of the Center for ADHD, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, told Medical Xpress. Epstein called the findings “disturbing.” CONTINUED 

Half Measures Availed Us…Relief?  VIDEO

Does Methadone Work To Stop Heroin Addiction?

“We treat basically clients that have an opiate based addiction, usually heroin or pills,” said the facility’s Executive Director Virgil McDaniel. The clinic uses methadone or Suboxone, drugs that stop a heroin addict from craving heroin or from going through withdraw. CONTINUED 

MOM Walks Into AA Meeting… VIDEO

… 

Recovery With a Laugh Track   VIDEO

Sitcoms about alcoholics and addicts are not the norm for network TV. What Mom does, and does exceptionally well, is to engage viewers regardless of whether or not their lives have been impacted by the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol, of teenage pregnancy and broken families. It’s the universality of the series that sustains it and nourishes the audience’s investment in its characters and, most importantly perhaps, keeps the laughs coming. Its humor is a salve that heals, no matter what each person’s situation. CONTINUED 

For Sex Addict Therapists Only
Clinical Relevance
of the Proposed Sexual Addiction Diagnostic Criteria: Relation to the
Sexual Addiction Screening Test-Revised

Sexual addiction is a proposed model for understanding problematic hypersexual behavior characterized by sexual compulsivity, obsession, persistence, engaging in sexual behaviors despite negative consequences, and symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance related to sexual activity.
CONTINUED 

AA Under the Microscope – Science

c 

The Science of
Alcoholics Anonymous    

Finally, Dr. Sarah Zemore and colleagues tackle the highly practical issue of which particular 12-step activities, such as having and using an AA sponsor, having more 12-step members among your friends, and reading AA literature, impact outcomes and therefore might be more strongly prescribed in professionally delivered TSF interventions. Using data from a MAAEZ intervention study, the authors found that while some 12-step activity variables were associated with outcomes at various follow-up points, it was only AA meeting attendance and an AA sponsor that consistently predicted better outcomes over a 12-month follow-up period. CONTINUED 

Shillin’ For Phil – Tune In VIDEO
YouTube Star “Homeless Joe” Goes MIA After 9 Days In Rehab  VIDEO  

The homeless millennial who gained fame for scoring sleepovers with women to stay off the streets of New York City has gone missing. “Homeless Joe,” as he became known, who consumed up to 30 drinks a day, even came on Dr. Phil under the influence. “I do homelessness differently,” he maintained. “This abstract lifestyle is not for everybody. Dr. Phil offered to send Joe to a rehab facility, but Joe left after only nine days. CONTINUED 

Fiction. Really. It’s a TV Show.
Amelia Shepherd (NA Member) May Be On the Hospital’s Chopping Block 

Recovery from addiction is very difficult and challenging process. One of the key practices of AA and NA groups is so that the recovering addicts remain anonymous to the public, it seems one member didn’t quite get the memo. But much like patient confidentiality, there is a similar premise involved with Narcotics Anonymous. Overreacting the way Sarah did could absolutely screw up everything Amelia has worked for. Amelia’s struggled with addiction in the past, but since her move to Seattle she’s certainly made a great turn around. CONTINUED 

Hunger Games
Food Junkies: The Truth about Food Addiction

Rather than trying to receive gratification from food or any other addictive substance, turning that desire toward connecting with others placates that ache. By virtue of being human, we all have the need to be in relationships. By sharing our humanity, we can bond with others and feed our own soul. We are then able to feel full at last; the bottomless pit that food addicts experiences can then fade like a bad dream. CONTINUED 

Celebrity Addict     VIDEO
Celebrity Star: Crack Addiction was Tougher Than The Jungle VIDEO    

Craig Charles says overcoming drug addiction was far tougher than anything he’ll face in the I’m a Celebrity Jungle. The Coronation Street star was famously caught smoking crack cocaine by the Mirror in 2006, and has since admitted blowing £250,000 on his habit. Speaking about entering the jungle, he said: “To be honest, I’m not going in there with a sense of fear of anything. “I’m not scared of heights, I’m not scared of snakes or rats or spiders; I’m not scared of anything, really, that I know of. CONTINUED 

Hope She’s Not a Locksmith
Are You an Ex-aholic?

Love is a drug. That’s why we’re all here, isn’t it? It’s also why getting over an ex can feel like kicking heroin: intense cravings, the desperate need to use, the isolation and obsession. But what differentiates a “normal” sad-and-missing-my-ex situation from self-diagnosing as an “Exaholic”? It’s a term that sounds ripped from an SNL skit, but in fact, Exaholics have a fast-growing online support group with a 12-step program. Relationships tend to have an addictive quality. It’s been demonstrated that romantic love activates the same region of the brain as cocaine and alcohol. CONTINUED 

MEDIA: Book of the Week
Inner Strength and Resilience Conquer Mental Illness and Alcoholism in New Novel

Callum Mor, a gifted child, master mariner, derelict drunk, who eventually gains wisdom from a hard life’s journey. He enters the dark zone of alcoholism and withdraws from society. With only his animals keeping him this side of sanity, he survives in a bleak solitude.  “Redemption” is an allegory for depression and life difficulties that he himself once experienced. The novel, which is set off the northwest coast of Scotland, illuminates startling cycles of maturing and downfall experienced by the book’s main character – Callum Mor – a gifted child, master mariner, derelict drunk, who finally gains wisdom from a hard life’s journey. CONTINUED 

Family Of Origin            VIDEO
Brooke Shields and Her Alcoholic Mom  VIDEO 

Brooke Shields has been famous since she was 11 months old. From her first Ivory Soap commercial to her teen modeling to her controversial movies to her headline-grabbing romances, she’s lived her entire life in the spotlight – just as her mother, Teri, a bus driver’s daughter from New Jersey, wanted. Brassy and bold, Teri was also a lifelong alcoholic… CONTINUED 

Myth Busted
Five Biggest Myths About Drug Addiction

Medical Expert Reveals Fiction Vs. Fact About Heroin, Cocaine, Meth and Marijuana. Given that the study destroyed two popular beliefs about addiction, we thought it high time (pardon the pun) to explore whether there might be other myths to be busted. Dr. Akikur Mohammad, M.D., a physician specializing in addiction medicine. CONTINUED 

Beyond The Rooms    VIDEO
Russell Brand on Revolution, Fighting Inequality and Addiction

I became a drug addict, I think, because of emotional difficulties, psychological difficulties, and perhaps a spiritual malady. For me, taking drugs and excessive drinking were the result of a psychological, spiritual or mental condition, so they’re symptomatic. I was like sad, lonely, unhappy, detached, and drugs and alcohol, for me, seemed like a solution to that problem. Once I dealt with the emotional, spiritual, mental impetus, I no longer felt the need to take drugs or use drugs. CONTINUED 

Very Tasty… Food For Thought
All or Nothing Is Chef Jesse Schenker’s Addiction-Fueled Culinary Memoir

Jesse Schenker does nothing to dispel the romance of the badass chef in his new culinary memoir All or Nothing: One Chef’s Appetite for the Extreme In what ends up becoming a tale of redemption and moderation, All or Nothing finds Schenker in a completely different place by the end of the book. Having lived his young life as if each moment could make or break him, the author actively chooses to make some critical changes, recognizing the unsustainability of his choices. CONTINUED 

WRITERS IN TREATMENT
Writers In Treatment
501 (c)(3) nonprofit

REEL RECOVERY FILM FESTIVAL is a social, educational, networking and recovery forum showcasing first-time filmmakers and experienced professionals who make films about addiction and recovery. Our audience is treatment professionals, people in recovery, members of the entertainment industry, media representatives, educated moviegoers and the general public. 
Addiction/Recovery eBulletin Publisher & Editor: 
Leonard Buschel  

No Kidding!
WHO: Overdose Antidote Should Be Easier to Obtain

Countries should increase access to the overdose antidote naloxone in order to lower deaths from opioids around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) says in recently released guidelines. Naloxone is used in an emergency when an individual is overdosing from opioids like heroin, oxycodone and morphine. In the U.S. alone,naloxone has stopped 10,171 overdoses between 2006 and 2010. CONTINUED 

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