Alcoholism Reduces Life Expectancy

There’s no surprise here: the effects of alcohol addiction can shorten your lifespan.

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 Alcoholism Reduces Life Expectancy

Kim Richards: Addiction Is Real

Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills brought speculation of Kim Richards’ addiction back into the public eye.

Full blog here.: 
 Kim Richards: Addiction Is Real

Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Be Fearless

We all have fears. Fears of not being good enough, fear of finances, fear of relationships, fear of the unknown and fear of life in general, but those fears do not have to control us.

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  Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Be Fearless

First MDMA Shop Opens in Amsterdam to Protest Drug Prohibition

Members from the Dutch Liberal Democrats opened the world’s first MDMA shop on the morning of May 18, in the center of Amsterdam at Rosmarijnsteeg.

Read more about it here.: 
 First MDMA Shop Opens in Amsterdam to Protest Drug Prohibition

Scott Stapp Opens Up on Struggling with Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol, and Drugs

Singer and former Creed band member, Scott Stapp, has revealed how serious his bipolar disorder episodes became in November 2014 before receiving treatment. 

Read more here: 
 Scott Stapp Opens Up on Struggling with Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol, and Drugs

Death of Fredric Brandt Draws Focus on Mental Illness and Suicide

The tragic death of Fredric Brandt occurred on Sunday, April 5 in Coconut Grove, Florida at his home, according to spokesperson Frederica Burden who was working with Miami police.

Learn more here.: 
 Death of Fredric Brandt Draws Focus on Mental Illness and Suicide

Michele Leonhart Resigning from Drug Enforcement Administration Role

Michele Leonhart will be leaving her title as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration by the end of May.

Learn more about it here.: 

 Michele Leonhart Resigning from Drug Enforcement Administration Role

The Shatterproof Challenge: Raising Awareness About Addiction

Shatterproof is raising awareness about addiction! Get involved in a challenge near you to help break the stigma.

More about Shatterproof and their amazing challenge here.:
 The Shatterproof Challenge: Raising Awareness About Addiction

Motivational Mediation Monday: Keep Calm and Go With The Flow

Many times when we come into recovery, and even for those of us who have been around a little while, we want to know what is coming next...

Full meditation here.: 
 Motivational Mediation Monday: Keep Calm and Go With The Flow

Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Turn It Over

Turn it over...

To God.
To Buddha.
To a Higher Power.
To the universe.
To a power greater than ourselves.
It doesn’t matter what you call your Higher Power, just as long as you know it’s not you.

Full meditation here.: 
Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Turn It Over

Going Flakka Crazy In Florida

A new synthetic drug is making news because of the bizarre behavior it causes in users.

Learn more about this drug here.: 
  Going Flakka Crazy In Florida

Walking Dead Actor Arrested: Seth Gilliam Gets DUI and Marijuana Possession Charge

 The beginning of this week was off to a rough start when a Walking Dead actor was taken into handcuffs for alcohol, marijuana, and reckless driving.  The Walking Dead actor arrested was Seth Gilliam, who plays Father Gabriel Stokes on the hit AMC zombie series.

Read more here.: 
 Walking Dead Actor Arrested: Seth Gilliam Gets DUI and Marijuana Possession Charge

Mental Health Awareness Month: Coming Together to Reduce Stigma

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! There’s no better time to spread awareness of mental health issues and reduce the stigmas associated with them.  Suffering from a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.

Break the stigma here.: 
Mental Health Awareness Month: Coming Together to Reduce Stigma

Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm & Build Relationships

“Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational.” – Hugh Mackay

Learn more here.: 
 Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm & Build Relationships

Dion Jordan Suspended for Third Time after Violating NFL Drug Policy

Defensive end for the Miami Dolphins, Dion Jordan, will be forced to miss the entire 2015 season after violating the league’s substance abuse policy once again.  However, this time the star athlete states he did not abuse a substance.

Read more about it here.: 
Dion Jordan Suspended for Third Time after Violating NFL Drug Policy

Dual Diagnosis: Maine Considers Mental Health Along With Addiction

The state of Maine is currently leading the nation in prescription opioid addiction per capita. While this stat is alarming, one doctor says there’s much more to consider than the addictions alone.

Full blog here.: 
 Dual Diagnosis: Maine Considers Mental Health Along With Addiction

Motivational Mediation Monday: Keep Calm and Play On

“We don’t stop playing because we get old. We get old because we stop playing.” – Satchel Paige

Full mediation here.: 
 Motivational Mediation Monday: Keep Calm and Play On

2015 Boston Marathon: Man Runs Race 4 Times to Raise Addiction Awareness

Addicts and alcoholics are people too! David Clark’s efforts at the 2015 Boston Marathon is a shining example of what people in recovery can do once they put down the booze and drugs and embrace life.

Learn more here.: 
 2015 Boston Marathon: Man Runs Race 4 Times to Raise Addiction Awareness

Puerto Rico Exports Addicts to Chicago Under False Pretenses

A recent news story by WBEZ91.5, revealed that Puerto Rico is exporting many of its drug addicted residents to treatment facilities in Chicago; facilities that are not properly licensed to treat drug addiction and alcoholism.

Read full blog here.: 
 Puerto Rico Exports Addicts to Chicago Under False Pretenses

IN Declares HIV Outbreak A Public Health Emergency

Since January, one county in Indiana has seen more than 20 times as many HIV cases as it typically sees in an entire year – and the number of infected patients is expected to rise.

Learn more here.: 
 IN Declares HIV Outbreak A Public Health Emergency

Will A New NJ Law Help Stop Heroin Addiction?

A new law proposed this spring in New Jersey would require doctors who prescribe their patients certain kinds of medications to explicitly discuss the risks of addiction.

Learn more here.: 
 Will A New NJ Law Help Stop Heroin Addiction?

Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Play In The Rain

It’s going to rain in life. It will get cloudy and the colors will be gloomy. There will be a time where you will feel sad and not want to get out of bed, but you will anyway.

Learn more here.: 
 Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Play In The Rain

Common Myths About Addiction And Those Who Suffer

There are so many myths about addiction and what or who an addict/alcoholic is, that we felt it was important to not only address them, but smash those myths right now.

Break the stigma here.: 
 Common Myths About Addiction And Those Who Suffer

Jon Hamm Rehab: ‘Mad Men’ Star Completes 30-day Rehab

In late March, TMZ reported that Mad Men actor Jon Hamm had completed a 30-day rehab program for alcohol abuse.

Read more here.: 
 Jon Hamm Rehab: ‘Mad Men’ Star Completes 30-day Rehab

AA Success Rate: Is Alcoholics Anonymous Failing Us?

Alcoholic Anonymous  has become one of the most sought out forms of recovery for alcoholism, yet many still question the AA success rate when it comes to long-term sobriety and relapse. The reason is because the majority of AA members are anonymous and aren’t reporting their success to anyone on a yearly basis.

Full article here.: 
  AA Success Rate: Is Alcoholics Anonymous Failing Us?

CBS Special with Michael Botticelli: Faith, Hope & the Burden of Addiction

On April 12, national Drug Czar and recovered alcoholic, Michael Botticelli, was featured in a special broadcast on CBS called, “Faith, Hope, and the Burden of Addiction.”  The half-hour presentation included segments explaining the disease of addiction through personal stories and professional feedback.

Learn more here.: 
 CBS Special with Michael Botticelli: Faith, Hope & the Burden of Addiction

Baby Boomer Generation At Risk As Drug Use Noticeably Increases

Drug use is on the rise among the baby boomer generation.  According to the Wall Street Journal, baby boomers are among the 76 million that are the most at risk to be active in addiction to alcohol and drugs right now.

Learn more here.: 
 Baby Boomer Generation At Risk As Drug Use Noticeably Increases

SLAM NYC: Recovery Star Kristen Johnston Partners with New School

Kristen Johnston  is well-known for her work creating SLAM NYC and her advocacy for addiction recovery.  She set an example to the public with this message: “Making any dream a reality is to never, ever, ever give up.”

Read more here.: 
 SLAM NYC: Recovery Star Kristen Johnston Partners with New School

Kratom Ban Being Pushed In Florida To Stop Kratom Addiction

Ever since the tragic suicide of Ian Mautner in July 2014, which was attributed to his kratom addiction, his mother Linda Mautner has been fighting to ban the sale of Kratom in the state of Florida. Unfortunately, kratom is still legal, but law makers are working tirelessly to change that in the near future.

Learn more here.: 
 Kratom Ban Being Pushed In Florida To Stop Kratom Addiction

Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Shake It Off

Sometimes we don’t feel good in recovery. We may have a stomach bug, the sniffles, or just feel physically off. This can also affect us emotionally and mentally because let’s face it, we didn’t feel good when we were drinking or drugging, so not feeling good in sobriety has a tendency of triggering those old scary feelings.

Full meditation here.: 
 Motivational Meditation Monday: Keep Calm and Shake It Off

I Was Cyber-Bullied on Yik Yak for Being Sober – IMAGES

I have been sober for nearly 6 years and have had my fair share of bullying throughout my life. Part of me is pretty grateful that we didn’t have internet exchanges like we do today when I was growing up – middle school and high school was tough enough.

More about it here.: 
I Was Cyber-Bullied on Yik Yak for Being Sober – IMAGES