Category: From Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Mourning never ends –  

Oct. 27, 2020 – While the rapper, born Jarad Higgins, was a Billboard chart topper and a global superstar, Wallace recalled that he was always just her son to her. “Juice WRLD was an icon, but Jarad was my son. I didn’t treat him like a celebrity,” she recalled. “In fact, the first time I saw him perform, it was in Chicago, I forget where, but I saw the crowd and I saw the girls and ‘Take a selfie with me.’ He was poked up and he was still living with me at the time. When he came home, I said, ‘Take out the garbage,’ because I just wanted him to stay humble.”  Wallace also noted how close she was with Juice, even about his addiction. The rapper died in December 2019 due to an accidental overdose.

“I said, ‘If you have anxiety, then you need to get medicated properly for it instead of medicating yourself,’” she explained. “I talked to him about it. I told him my biggest fear was him overdosing on the stuff. That’s why I made the decision I have to talk about it with other people. I can’t keep that as a secret.”

As a result, the loving mother is continuing Juice WRLD’s legacy with the Live Free 999 Foundation, which aims to help young people struggling with mental health issues and addiction. “That’s our objective with our foundation. Normalize the conversation, so it has to start with me,” she said. “I hope it’s what he wanted, was a legacy of healing. To let people know that you don’t have to suffer alone.”

more@Billboard

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Wrestling with demons –  

Oct. 20, 2020 – Paige also mentioned that her brother is celebrating 6-weeks of sobriety. She noted that he seems to have aged backward in the last 2 months. 

“He is 6 weeks in of being sober and I’m SO proud!!! He aged backwards in just under 2 months. Please throw some support in the comments, he deserves it ? Can’t wait for him to come visit me and ronnie for his 40th in February.”

Paige and former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio became engaged in 2016. The couple announced they had split in late-2017. There were concerns at the time that substance abuse was rampant in their relaionship. Del Rio will go on trial early next year for aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault. If convicted, Del Rio could face as much as 99 years in prison. 

more@SEScoops

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Avoid narcotics –

Oct. 19, 2020 –  No Time to Self-Medicate Most individuals who were actively abusing drugs or alcohol will have turned to these potentially harmful substances as a means of self-medication, regardless of the circumstances, whatever they might be. As we know, this kind of self-medication will only make the actual symptoms and their underlying condition worse.

It seems appropriate that COVID-19 gets a mention here (as it’s pretty much mentioned in every other “health” article on the planet). Active drug addicts and alcoholics are highly unlikely to be concerned about a global pandemic when their daily priority is just getting enough of their fix to keep going until tomorrow. Social distancing, observing lockdowns, and wearing a protective mask are not going to feature very highly on their list of daily objectives – it’s just the way it is.

Taking into account the prior behavior of recovering addicts and alcoholics, you can see why feeling ill during recovery can present a possibly dangerous relapse trigger to these people. All of this means that having the right coping skills and strategies in place are vital to ensuring that the recovery can actually survive the illness, let alone, of course, the person involved.

It also seems a good idea to let you all know that I do have personal experience of this. A long-term cocaine addict and alcoholic, I finally found my own recovery around 8 years ago, and, thanks to the excellent drug rehab that cared for me, and then educated me, I have been clean and sober (and occasionally ill, but not through substance abuse) ever since. Getting ill in early recovery is a definite relapse trigger that you should be fully prepared for. So, here is “How to Deal with Illness During Addiction Recovery.”

more@FeedsPortal

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

The Fix Is In –

Oct 22, 2020 – If the goal is to reduce harm while ensuring public safety, we need to shift our perspectives to reflect the fact that drug use is not going away anytime soon. We should reform our policies so that they are based on research and designed for maximum effectiveness, not retribution. As a case study, Portugal stands out as a nation that has perhaps come closest to solving the problem. With the lowest drug-related death rate in Europe, Portugal has seen a death toll of less than 100 people each year for the past 12 years, compared to more than 67,300 in the U.S. in 2018. In 2001, following a severe drug problem in the ’90s and a long era of authoritarian control and tight drug restrictions, Portugal became the first nation to decriminalize all drugs. Since then, it has seen overdose, HIV infection, drug-related crime and incarceration rates decrease dramatically. 

What is clear is that if resources were diverted from prohibition to harm reduction, it would free up funds to spend on other more efficient, research-based programs proven to reduce drug-related problems. Syringe exchange programs, for example, have been shown to not only reduce HIV and HCV rates by 50%, and would also save American taxpayers at least $6 on preventative HIV costs for every $1 spent. Despite the evidence, current propositions by our leaders are often populist.

more@MichiganDaily

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Recovery is Real –  

Oct. 23, 2020 – Hunter, who was a repeat felon who stole from strangers to fund his habit, was also made homeless by his dependency on drugs and ended up living in the back of a car. But Hunter’s old gaunt appearance has now been replaced by a healthy, happy glow as he looks unrecognizable to photos of himself from the day he was admitted to rehab for the final time in February 2018 … an occasion he’s marked by proposing to his English lockdown lover, Kyra Dawson, 27, who found out only this week that she is pregnant with their first child. Hunter, said: ‘At 16 my life was spiraling out of control and I bought heroin for the first time in my life. I started stealing from my own house to fund my drug habit.‘I got kicked out of school and ended up spending two-and-a-half years of my life in jail. I got stuck on this cycle of jail, addiction, rehab and relapse. ‘It got to the point where I was so high on meth and heroin that I didn’t even know my name. I overdosed and had to go to the hospital, I was in real trouble. ‘I went straight to rehab for the sixth time on February 21 2018 and I’ve been clean ever since. Having been in active addiction for so many years I genuinely feel blessed to still be alive. ‘I witnessed people dying first hand so I feel more than lucky to be where I am now. I’m happy, healthy and have a new family with a baby on the way.

more@Metro

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Swinging –

Oct. 21, 2020 –  I remember looking in the mirror in the morning, at 7 o’clock in the morning, and saying. ‘What are you doing, man? You’re killing yourself.’ And still could not stop, because for me to get through the day, I had to have drinks.”

Bagwell credited his sobriety to his wife Rachel and his kids, who had numerous interventions to get him to stop drinking. “Obviously, we never overcome this disease,” Bagwell said. “People say, ‘Oh, you’re a recovered alcoholic.’ No, I’m in recovery. It’s always there. It’s always waiting. And for me, I was very, very fortunate to have people around me that loved me and supported me. And didn’t give up on me. That’s part of the reason why I’m here today. And if they did give up on me, I don’t think I’d be sitting here or in any other seat. I would not be alive.” Bagwell played his entire 15-year big league career with the Astros and is the franchise’s all-time home run leader with 449. He was the National League MVP in 1994 and hit .297 with four All-Star appearances his career.

more@Chron

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

WATCH – Atlanta Braves –  

Oct. 21, 2020 – The 230-page book and audio documentary feature Shaw’s curated interviews with dozens of history makers, including pioneering Atlanta artists, producers, music executives, and experts who witnessed first-hand the origins and rise of Trap music. The book also explores social issues such as gentrification, drug addiction, and mass incarceration in communities that inspired Trap music.

Rapper Kilo Ali recalls penning “Cocaine (American Has A Problem)” at the age of 16 in 1990 while serving time in the Fulton County Juvenile Detention Center. DJ Toomp recounts touring as the deejay for the 2 Live Crew in the late 1980s and producing early hits for Atlanta rappers Raheem The Dream and MC Shy D. Former Fulton County Assistant District Attorney John Turner explains how the Miami Boys drug gang began infiltrating the Techwood Homes housing projects in 1986, and Magic City strip club founder Michael Barney describes how the gentlemen’s club provided a viable platform for emerging rappers to promote their music. Shaw additionally interviews the likes of OutKast’s Big Boi, T.I., Khujo of Goodie Mob, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Migos, Shawty Lo, Killer Mike, Zaytoven, Future, and 21 Savage as well as veteran Atlanta music executives Antonio “LA” Reid, Kawan “KP” Prather and Shanti Das. 

more@TheSource

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

CHECK PLEASE! –

Oct. 20, 2020 – The hashtag was born during the first presidential debate, when the incumbent spewed a poisonous—and untrue—tirade about Hunter Biden, a recovering addict. His father, former Vice President and current presidential candidate, Joe Biden, was not rattled. Instead, he rallied to support his son, and all of us recovering from addiction, by first affirming Hunter’s recovery and then stating, “I’m proud of my son.” In the wake of that, there’s been an avalanche of support for people recovering from addiction, much of it in the form of people sharing their own #WeDoRecover stories.

Into this hunger for content comes the short I wrote and starred in, My Dinner with Steve. The film tells the story of Jen, a newly sober, 40-something woman whose divorce has left her shattered. She’s finally landed a date with her teacher crush, but mistakes Googling with familiarity and turns their dinner into an addict’s confessional. We shot it in St. Petersburg, FL, over two days in March, just before the Covid-19 lockdown. Already the movie has been seen all over the world in festivals, with more to come.

My approach to the film was something I’d learned through recovery—I asked for help. I’d never written a film before, let alone acted in and produced one, so I turned to people in the industry for guidance. I’m lucky that several key team members, notably our director Eugenie Bondurant, were early supporters of the project. 

The work has been so gratifying that I’ve already written more, a series with recurring characters offering humorous tales to convey serious messages—primarily, that overcoming addiction is not only possible, but just the beginning. One of my greatest fears about getting sober was that it would mean the end of fun. As the recent #WeDoRecover challenge has shown, that’s been far from true for me and countless others. And it made me reflect on why I felt compelled to write these episodes.

First, the longer I’ve stayed sober, the more clearly I’ve seen that sobriety is a gift. It wasn’t bestowed upon me through some kind of deserving behavior, far from it. It was grace alone. Through my recovery, I’ve met many wise, humble, and generous people. Many have given freely of themselves to show me a better life, one free of blackouts, institutions, health crises, destroyed relationships, and enslavement. These interactions are at the heart of the films I want to write. Because no one recovers alone. There is no single wise influencer, leading us all to an Instagram-worthy photo shoot. Our lives continue, in all the mess and glory. But if we stick together, we do recover.

more@TheFix

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

Everyone needs a second chance –

Oct. 20, 2020 – ‘I’m struggling and I just hope I can raise the funds to end this ordeal. My love goes out to all of you and I’m sorry to have to ask for help.’

Donations have since flooded in, with the page raising £4,734 in 22 hours. 

In a short video message he said: ‘Thankyou so much everyone who sent something in so far. I really appreciate it. I am actually overwhelmed by the support I have received and hopefully I will get there some day.’  

Mr Walker reduced viewers to tears as he was shown walking out of hospital, covered in blood, to buy vodka after being told his alcoholism would kill him in Theroux’s documentary. The former university medical researcher’s late mother had struggled with alcoholism.

In comments alongside donations of mostly £5 and £10, people wrote messages of support for Mr Walker.

Amber Leach, who donated £5, said: ‘I think you’re very brave and hope you get the treatment you need. It will get better, don’t give up!’

Georgia Bishop, who donated £5, added: ‘I’m sorry I can’t afford to donate more. I really hope you can get the help you need. Well done for being brave enough to ask for help x’

Danielle Grant, who donated £25, said: ‘Joe getting sober was the best thing I ever did, stay close, get rehab sorted and live a better life. Hugs.’

Russ Ellams, who donated £10, said: ‘Joe, Im in recovery, I know what you are going through. I understand completely. I really hope you get to rehab. You deserve it.’

Tansy Hawksley donated £5 and wrote: ‘I recently went out with someone who has been clean for 17 years after a third party paid for their rehab.

more@DailyMail

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Addiction Recovery Bulletin

WATCH – “Right Before Your Eyes” –  

Oct. 18, 2020 – A local filmmaker’s movie is now available on Amazon Prime. Lebanon County resident David Vincent Bobb directed, wrote, and produced the movie, “Right Before Your Eyes.”

It’s inspired by his life story, overcoming addiction, and making amends with his son who has autism. He filmed a lot of the movie in the Midstate, including the Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg, where his recovery began.

“The movie is here to inspire. That’s the biggest thing, to give hope and to inspire, especially for the guys here at the mission, and anyone else who goes through this or is going through it, to show them, that no matter how bad it gets, there’s always hope and I’m living proof of that,” said David Vincent Bobb.

The movie ran in select theaters in Pennsylvania last summer. In addition to Amazon Prime…

more@ABC27

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