| Top 10% Of Drinkers Account for 60% of Alcohol Sales If industries cater their marketing to their most loyal customers, and the alcohol industry’s most loyal customers are drinking 10 drinks a day, the alcohol industry becomes basically the biggest enabler in the world. Losing that 10 percent of people, who by most standards are alcoholics, would be devastating to the alcohol industry. By the way, I am a huge fan of Alcoholics Anonymous, which has been a wonderful and consistent source of support for several people I know and love. I have seen lives change before my eyes because of AA. If you’ve been troubled by your alcohol consumption, please consider finding your local meeting. CONTINUED | | What 20 Years of Research has Taught Us About Chronic Marijuana Use A new study in the journal Addiction lays out what the vast research on marijuana has revealed over the last 20 years, highlighting the drug’s adverse effects, both acute and chronic. Though researchers have been studying the effects of marijuana for decades, the science has really exploded just in the last 20 years, due in part to better study methods. CONTINUED | | Is Coffee Addiction In Your Genes? Whether coffee makes a person anxious or helps boost their memory may come down to their DNA, according to research that suggests further studies on caffeine should be customized to a person’s genetic profile. A study reported Tuesday in the journal Molecular Psychiatry found six genetic variants associated with coffee drinking. CONTINUED | | 18 Things That Are As Addictive As Cocaine Or Heroin And here’s why you should be sceptical of headlines like that. Lots of them are often based on a misunderstanding of what addiction is, uncertainty over how you would even measure “addictiveness”, and an oversimplified description of what the brain chemical dopamine does. CONTINUED | | “Warm Beer And Cold Women” Tom Waits | | The Most Popular Drugs and Booze In Rock Lyrics & The Artists Singing Them Digging through the lyrics of 15,000 songs, alcohol was easily the most discussed substance, followed by weed and cocaine. Separated into the five categories of alcohol, cocaine/crack, meth, prescription painkillers and weed, Tom Waits not only leads in mentions of alcohol, but also leads other artists with over 60 songs mentioning drugs or alcohol, followed by Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan with both over 30 songs each. CONTINUED | | Ask Your Therapist… or Life Coach VIDEO | | Is it Better to Be a Life Coach or a Psychotherapist? VIDEO I worked for ten-and-a-half years as a psychotherapist, nine of them licensed and one-and-a-half as a social work intern. For the last four years I have worked as a filmmaker. I have considered turning in my therapy license (an LCSW), and, if I were to return to the psychological helping profession, to do so as a life coach-unlicensed, outside the system. But is this wise? CONTINUED | | Kick Your Addiction: How to Quit Anything Is a smoking, alcohol, food, gambling, Internet, drug, or sex addiction holding you back from getting what you want most? Over the past twenty-five years, renowned addiction therapist Dr. Frederick Woolverton has used his dynamic, empathetic approach to help thousands of addicts achieve long-term recovery-including himself. The solution, he has found, requires only a better understanding of yourself and a change in attitude. CONTINUED | | Watch 2013 REEL Recovery Highlight Reel | REEL Recovery Film Festival HIGHLIGHT
Reel 2013
See clips from last year’s Award Winning REEL Recovery Film Festivalwith Paul Williams, Russell Brand, Robert Blake, Barbara Eden and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. SEE VIDEO | | Why We Allow Big Pharma to Rip Us Off According to a new federal database put online last week, pharmaceutical companies and device makers paid doctors some $380 million in speaking and consulting fees over a five-month period in 2013. Some doctors received over half a million dollars each, and others got millions of dollars in royalties from products they helped develop.Doctors claim these payments have no effect on what they prescribe. But why would drug companies shell out all this money if it didn’t provide them a healthy return on their investment? CONTINUED | | 2015 Experience, Strength and Hope Honoree | | Read Joe Pantoliano’s Asylum: Hollywood Tales from My Great Depression: Brain Dis-Ease, Recovery, and Being My Mother’s Son Most people know Joe Pantoliano from his memorable roles in The Sopranos, The Goonies, The Matrix, The Fugitive, and Risky Business, but the Emmy-winning artist has another important role-as an outspoken advocate for smashing the stigma of mental illness, or mental “dis-ease” as he prefers to call it. As a kid in Hoboken, New Jersey, he was just “Joey Pants,” the son of a fiercely controlling, schizophrenic mother. CONTINUED | | Not The Drug of Peacemakers VIDEO | | Hitler’s Secret Addiction to Crystal Meth: The Fuhrer Took ‘speed’ Before Ranting at Mussolini VIDEO Adolf Hitler was a regular user of crystal meth – one of the most feared and addictive illegal substances on today’s black market and the drug at the heart of the hit TV series Breaking Bad – research has shown. A 47-page wartime dossier compiled by American Military Intelligence reveals that Hitler, a notorious hypochondriac, took an astonishing 74 different medications including crystal methamphetamines. CONTINUED | | Floridians, Meet Tommy Rosen in Person | | An Afternoon with TOMMY ROSEN, Author and Founder, RECOVERY 2.0 Join Venice, California’s TOMMY ROSEN in a special appearance to celebrate the release of his new book RECOVERY 2.0: Move Beyond Addiction and Upgrade Your Life (Hay House, 10.21.14). An inspired workshop of kundalini yoga and meditation, will be followed by a reading, discussion and book signing of Recovery 2.0 (copy included). The yoga practice is for students at any level – prepare for good energy and a lot of love. Yoga Source in Davie, FL 33328 CONTINUED | | 5 Health Problems Caused by Drinking Too Much Alcohol SLIDE SHOW A slew of recent studies are starting to promote alcohol as “healthy”; that is, drinking a few glasses of wine in a week. However, those that consume three or more drinks a day, may be damaging their bodies irreparably. Learn what conditions alcohol abuse may be responsible. – See more at here: CONTINUED | | George Washington Grew Hemp | | Scrappy Campaign That Could Legalize Marijuana in Washington, DC Despite appearances, DC may be the most likely of all places this November to legalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Recent polls from the Washington Post indicate that nearly two-thirds of DC voters support legalization. In a typical election, that would be considered a landslide. Much of that is thanks to changing demographics and a general fatigue with the nation’s war of drugs. CONTINUED | 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.
| | After A Drug Crash Bounced Him From The NBA, Chris Herren Makes A Comeback AUDIO When Chris Herren, who was a great high school basketball player in Fall River, Mass. during the early 1990s, speaks to youngsters he trots out a heck of a stat. He talks about how, at one point while he was in the NBA, he was spending upwards of $20,000 a month on Oxycontin, heroin and other narcotics. CONTINUED | | The Roots of Addiction – Gabor Maté VIDEO Powerful, moving film with Gabor Maté talking about the origins and nature of compulsive behaviours and substance use. We are going to post some longer films of Gabor Maté’s work – this is another taster, at just over 3 minutes. The whole thing is mesmerizing, and we especially resonate with: CONTINUED | | At an AA Meeting In A Galaxy Far Far Away | | Princess Leia Convinced Me to Go to AA In an excerpt from his book, The Life And Loves Of A He Devil and serialised in the Daily Mail, the Eurovision Song Contest host wrote: “I have actually been to a few meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous thanks to my friend Carrie Fisher, she of Princess Leia fame. “Her problems with addiction are well documented and she persuaded me to accompany her to an AA session in Los Angeles. Initially, I was reluctant because I feared I would realise I was the same as these people who told nostalgic stories about their crazy nights and how long they had been dragged by alcohol. CONTINUED | | American Justice – Tennessee or Tehran? | | Woman Got Six Extra Years in Prison Because She Was Pregnant Lacey Weld of Dandridge, Tennessee, was 26 years old and in the final weeks of pregnancy when a camera attached to an undercover police officer captured her 40-minute visit to a methamphetamine manufacturing plant. In July, despite her cooperation in the case and testimony against co-defendants, Weld (who pleaded guilty) was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release for her involvement in meth manufacturing. CONTINUED | | Teens with Strong Minds Less Likely to Indulge in Substance Abuse A new research by the University of Oregon shows that teens who are not focused on their goals are the ones to involve in substance abuse. The study found that youngsters who have a strong working memory can easily escape early drug experimentation without progressing into substance abuse problems. The study was conducted on children aged between 11 and 13. This is the period, researchers say, when children explore risky and sensation-seeking experiences. “Not all forms of early drug use are problematic.’ “ CONTINUED | | | American Train Wreck VIDEO | | Joe Giudice on Alcoholism: I Might Have a Little Problem VIDEO Last night, Bravo aired the first half of Joe and Teresa Giudice’s post-sentencing interview with Andy Cohen. For one thing, Andy will reportedly confront Teresa about her claims that The Real Housewives of New Jersey is scripted, and edited to make her look bad. (We’re guessing AC wasn’t too thrilled with that statement.) As you may know, Joe’s lawyers requested that he be sent to a rehab facility to treat his alcohol addiction, rather than to prison. CONTINUED | | Free Tickets for Your Facility | | 43 Films
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7 Days Laemmle NoHo Cinema 5240 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA Oct. 24-30, 2014 CLICK HERE
FOR TICKETS | | Celebrity Rehab Alum Brigitte Nielsen Sips Vodka In Her Parked Range Rover VIDEO Brigitte has had a long battle with alcoholism beginning with her stint at CRI-Help rehab in North Hollywood back in 2007. Reality TV troubles: One year later, the Danish former model appeared on the first season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (pictured in 2008). But her sobriety crumbled in 2012 when the Rocky IV actress was photographed stumbling, vomiting, and snoozing in a Studio City park while nursing yet another bottle of Popov vodka. CONTINUED | | Temple Grandin on DSM-5: “Sounds like diagnosis by committee” Next question is “Does the kid talk?” If he’s nonverbal, that’s one thing. Let’s start trying to teach him and see what happens. If he’s verbal, I’ll say, “How good is his speech?” If the description is too vague, I’ll say, “Give me an example.” I want to know if the child is speaking in complete and grammatically correct sentences. Does he speak only in single words? Does he pronounce words accurately or does he say, as I did, buh for ball? CONTINUED | | Boomers Still Getting Buzzed | | 2.8 Million Seniors Meet Drug Abuse/ Addiction Criteria Peter A. Bamberger and Samuel B. Bacharach wrote “Retirement and the Hidden Epidemic” over the course of 10 years and conducted a study on substance abuse in older adults. They discovered that the effect of retirement on substance abuse was complicated, with the conditions leading to retirement and the economic and social implications of the retirement having a large impact on substance use than just being in retirement. CONTINUED | | And He Should Know… VIDEO | | Dr. Drew says “Addiction is Not a Moral Failing” VIDEO Despite scientific evidence that addiction is a disease, many people still believe addiction is a moral failing. Thinking a person is weak or lacking willpower for not being able to stop using drugs or alcohol contributes to the stigma surrounding addiction and prevents some from seeking treatment they desperately need. CONTINUED | | Missing Woman Addiction Overshadows Search? VIDEO According to her parents, Shane and Janet Smith, she was being treated for an alcohol addiction. Janet Smith says five days after her daughter vanished, Brandi sent her a message over Facebook expressing concern about alcoholism taking over her life. According to Brandi’s roommate, she left the rehab facility with a man she had just met at the facility and he had reportedly presented himself as her uncle named Larry. CONTINUED | | Amanda Bynes Ambushed: On Psychiatric Hold Amanda Bynes just arrived in L.A. and went directly to a hospital outside L.A. … where doctors placed her on an involuntary psychiatric hold. We’re told Amanda thought a car service was taking her to The London Hotel where her parents and their attorney were going to meet her. In fact the parents had made arrangements with the car service to take her to a Pasadena hospital instead … where their lawyer was waiting with doctors. Reports say Amanda is engaged to teenager Caleb Pusey, who she met while in rehab at the Canyon Treatment Centre in Malibu. CONTINUED | | “Give me your tired, your poor, your hungover … yearning to be free” | | Danniella Westbrook Thanks Fans After Her Drug Relapse … Embraces Los Angeles Sobriety Danniella jetted off to the States to get away from the party scene and to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings and appears to be back on track. The 40-year-old actress – who recently admitted that she had relapsed – has revealed she is now ‘clean again’ and is now ready to return home after spending the past few months in Los Angeles. On Wednesday, the former EastEnders shared a picture of a scenic view of the sunset and a long message, which she entitled: ‘A message of gratitude, love and thanks from me 2 all of you xoxox #grateful.’ CONTINUED | | Sierra Tucson Appoints Jaime W. Vinck to Chief “Sierra Tucson has always strived to provide compassionate care and clinical excellence to our patients, and the addition of Jaime Vinck and Rich Appert will bring the type of knowledge base and experience that support our facility’s goals.” “Jaime’s depth of experience in the field of addiction and knowledge from her own Equine Psychotherapy Program enhances Sierra Tucson’s comprehension in this discipline.” CONTINUED | | Chronic Smoking Could Increase Suicide Risk in Males Chronic smoking may be an independent contributor to suicide in males. An analysis of data comparing suicide decedents with accident and homicide decedents found that longer lifetime smoking was associated with increased odds of death by suicide, while quitting smoking and longer periods of abstinence were associated with lower odds of suicide. The results were seen only in males. CONTINUED | | DO YOU LIKE OUR eBULLETIN? | Addiction/Recovery eBulletin Publisher & Editor:
Leonard Buschel – Send an email | | Never Stop Trying To Help | | Drug Czar Awards Maine With $7.5 Million to Fight Opioid Abuse The key, he argued, is eradicating demand for illegal drugs, providing adequate facilities for treatment, and “supporting and celebrating recovery as a community.” Public health agencies in Bangor, Portland, Machias, Caribou, Bar Harbor, Waterville, Westbrook and Lewiston are listed among the grant recipients. Some are in the midst of multi-year grants. For the full list, visitwww.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/Drug-Free-Communities-Support-Program. CONTINUED | | Keith Urban On Top 8 Years After Rehab Could’ve Sunk Career Eight years ago, Keith Urban’s career could have been over. He was in rehab. Again. This time for alcoholism. But Urban had a secret weapon. Seated in the back corner of a Nashville restaurant, Urban talked about how careers are made of peaks and valleys and how that trip to Betty Ford Center in 2006 could have been an unrecoverable valley. He said careers have irreparably stalled for lesser reasons than a 90-day stay at a treatment facility. CONTINUED | | Science May One Day Do So…Is This That Day? | | Meet The Scientists Who May Have Found The Cure For Drug Addiction Early indications suggest 18-MC is safe, it is related to a naturally occurring substance known to cause severe nausea, intense hallucinations, and other serious side effects. Initial tests on humans haven’t revealed those problems, however, and experts are cautiously hopeful that 18-MC may ultimately allow doctors to prescribe medication that blocks cravings and helps people stay clean. FDA spokeswoman Sandy Walsh declined to comment on the status of 18-MC. “For pending applications, under the law FDA staff are prohibited from discussing the existence of, or status of, any drug application,” Walsh said via email. “That is confidential information.” CONTINUED | | No Blame – No Shame – Here’s My Name | | Fighting The Stigma ‘I Am Not Anonymous” ‘I Am Not Anonymous’ is a platform for former addicts to share their personal, and often emotional, stories. The project was launched back in April by Tom Goris, a recovering heroin addict, and his photographer girlfriend Kate Meyer. Tom called Kate and told her: “You can tell everyone. I am in rehab, I am a drug addict and this is my truth. I have nothing to hide anymore. I have kept it a secret for long enough.” Their vision? To break down stigma, encourage recovery and make people feel visible again. CONTINUED | | Talk Therapy Makes Revival PLUS… VIDEO | | Drug-free Way to Fight Depression VIDEO From magnetic helmets to vegetables and oily fish, how these alternatives to anti-depressants give new hope to the one in five of us threatened by the illness. Statistics about depression make for sorry reading. It is now thought that one in five of us will succumb to this most common mental health problem. Yet it is becoming clear that the most popular prescribed drugs simply aren’t up to the job for the majority of sufferers. CONTINUED | | VISIT OUR NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES | FOR EVERY
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