Singer Elle King Talks PTSD

Recently the 27 year old singer and daughter of comedian Rob Schneider opened up about her recent struggles with post traumatic stress disorder and depression. Using her public instagram account, Elle King posted a photo along with some lengthy text discussing her decision to seek mental health treatment for her issues.

In the post she said that she made the choice to begin talking with a doctor about her experiences with PTSD and compared her mental health issues to “a trip on LSD”. King said that the choice to seek help was one that she had been putting off for a long time for fear of opening up the pain from the past that had been hidden for so long.

She eventually realized that prolonging the decision to get treatment would ultimately make her situation worse. The choice to seek help at first made her feel like her “life was over” but she is beginning to work with a doctor and see some improvement.

King’s Early Life

Elle King’s real name is Tanner Elle Schneider and she was born to her father, the well known comedian and actor, Rob Schneider and her mother, a former model named London King. Her parents divorced and her mother remarried, raising Elle in southern Ohio along with her stepfather Justin Tesa. Elle remained in contact with her father, making her acting debut in his popular movie “Deuce Bigalow”.

Elle King began playing guitar at the age of 13 and credits her stepfather with inspiring her to become a musician by introducing her to the music of female rockstars like the Donnas and the Runaways. In her teenage years she began gigging around New York City and eventually was signed to RCA records to release her debut single “Good to Be a Man”.

She has said that she chose to use her mother’s name “King” rather than “Schneider” to differentiate herself rather than be known as a celebrity’s daughter. King’s music career began to gain traction as her music was chosen as a theme song for VH1’s “Mob Wives Chicago” series.

Personal Struggles and Divorce

Her breakthrough came when she released her new album “Love Stuff” along with the single “Exes and Ohs” which reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also received two grammy nominations for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. In spite of her success, King has had personal struggles that are still not fully understood by the public.

Elle King was dating a man named Andrew Ferguson for a few weeks when they suddenly got engaged on a sailing trip. The two had planned an elaborate wedding but the event was called off abruptly and they instead eloped in February 2016. At the time Elle King had posted online that she “skipped out” on the wedding choosing instead to go to an Eagles of Death Metal concert.

Later an incident occurred in the couple’s home that may have contributed to their eventual divorce. Police had responded to a domestic call in which Ferguson reportedly attacked King, grabbing her by the neck and allegedly threatening to kill her. Police observed that there were marks on King’s neck and arms which revealed a physical altercation had in fact occurred.

However, King reportedly did not want to press charges saying that the two were partying and that things had gotten out of hand. Ferguson claimed that he had thrown King on the bed to stop her from hitting her head against the wall. The district attorney did not move forward with the case

Recovering from Mental Health Problems

When the two decided to separate after only a year of marriage in May 2017, King wrote on Instagram that Ferguson was the “greatest love of my life” and her “best friend”. Only a few months after her divorce, King posted the recent photo and caption discussing her mental health issues.

Although it is unclear whether King’s issues with depression or PTSD are related to her unstable marriage or any issues with domestic violence, she has recently become more candid about her own inner demons.

Fans do not yet know what has caused her PTSD as King has only recently revealed the issue which she may have kept secret from the public for some time. As the singer receives treatment from a professional, she may be more willing to open up about the details of her problems and perhaps even reveal more about the cause and symptoms of her disorder.

For now she says that she is trying to make healthier choices for herself and love herself as much as possible. King appeared to be optimistic in her post, certain that she would get the help that she needs to be in a more stable state of mind in the future.

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AA and Nicotine Addiction

Alcoholics Anonymous sets up strict rules regarding abstinence from alcohol consumption, encouraging all members to avoid drinking permanently. AA has proven to be a highly successful program for people to end their addiction to alcohol but the single focus of the program chooses not to address outside issues with other substances such as nicotine.

It is very common among AA members to continue smoking heavily even long after they have quit drinking to help them stave off any cravings for alcohol. The same issue affects those in NA or narcotics anonymous where members also tend to smoke cigarettes to help them deal with their drug issues.

While cigarettes may be effective as a temporary fix for alcoholics in recovery, the long term health issues associated with nicotine are serious problem in the AA community. It is projected that nearly three quarters of a million members of alcoholics anonymous will die from tobacco-related causes due to the heavy cigarette consumption typical of the program.

High Rates of Tobacco Use in Treatment

Evidence among existing members shows that most believe their nicotine consumption is a much less important issue compared to their alcohol or drug addictions. In most cases, they see their cigarette habit as something to be addressed later rather than give up both alcohol and nicotine simultaneously.

In New York for example, studies have revealed that 92% of those admitted to substance abuse treatment programs are also dependent on nicotine. Comparatively, the rate of smoking among the general population in New York is lower than 20% according to recent data. Similar rates of nicotine dependence in addiction treatment centers are found in other states throughout the country.

Many alcoholics or drug abusers do not consider the health effects of their nicotine habit while in recovery. Research shows that people with substance abuse issues have a four times greater risk of dying from tobacco use than the risk for the general population. These deaths related to tobacco use can result in up to 25 years lost from expected life spans.

Addressing Tobacco Use

While rates of tobacco use in addiction treatment are alarmingly high, they remain an issue even after individuals complete their stay in rehab. Of those in twelve step programs or people maintaining alcohol abstinence within the recovery community, as many as 60% are still addicted to nicotine.

Most individuals in these programs are experiencing success in their ability to quit alcohol use but unfortunately are endangering their health by continuing to smoke. AA members may be unaware of these issues as addiction treatment programs may not address their smoking or may fail to view quitting nicotine as an important part of their recovery.

The origin of the twelve step program may never have included smoking in its rules and practices because they were not aware of the health issues associated with tobacco at that time. Even programs today are not fully aware of the scope of the problem and continue to be reluctant to address nicotine addiction in their recovery steps.

AA Beliefs Regarding Cigarettes

Many members involved in AA believe that the sole focus of the program always has and always should be about alcohol. Those in the program have experienced most of their problems due to their alcohol addiction and feel that nicotine is simply a side issue that does not pose a threat to anyone else.

For people in the program, quitting drinking already has an enormous impact on their health both mentally and physically. Giving up alcohol can also help them significantly reduce the negative impact on their personal relationships, career and finances. For them smoking may seem like a minor problem compared to what they have been dealing with as a result of their alcohol problem for years of their lives.

AA in fact does briefly touch on issues of moderation in actions aside from alcohol use. Their overall belief is that moderation is best instead of irresponsible excess in behaviors not related to drinking. However, it is never directly suggested to members in AA that they should quit smoking.

Alcoholics in twelve step programs at times may make the decision to quit smoking on their own when they recognize in their own time that it is causing health problems. While AA may never fully address nicotine addiction, the principles that it teaches to members tend to encourage them to live a healthier life overall. Most AA members address their alcohol addiction first and then some may later focus on other aspects of their life such as eating better, exercising or quitting smoking.

AA remains solely devoted to issues of alcohol addiction rather than nicotine because members need the most help with this issue. Although nicotine addiction is a serious problem in the recovery community, there are separate programs such as nicotine anonymous that may be the best solution rather than AA.

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The Effects of Growing Up in an Unstable Environment

Children need predictability and a nurturing, stable environment in order to develop emotionally. It is important for them to have a routine so that they know what to expect and have people that they can count on. Unfortunately many children must experience instability in their homes due to issues such as:

• financial troubles
• parental unemployment
• addiction in a family member
• divorce
• remarrying
• neglect
• physical or verbal abuse

Children that grow up in single parent homes for example tend to have poorer mental and physical health overall than those that have both biological parents throughout their childhood.

Early childhood experiences can shape a person’s lifelong health and learning so it is crucial for young children to have as much stability as possible. An unstable environment can have a profound impact on a child’s feelings of security and their eventual transformation into an adult.

Impact of Poor Conditions and Neglect

Different types of instability can affect children in a variety of ways, usually damaging specific aspects of their health. For example, a study found that depriving children of a loving environment can cause them to have lower IQs and even stunted growth leading to a shorter stature. They also tended to have more behavioral and psychological problems than children that came from a more loving home.

The study was conducted on children in a Romanian orphanage that lived in deprived conditions and were found to be shorter than average. Amazingly, many of the children that were moved to foster homes experienced a growth spurt and even saw an increase in their IQ level.

Not all psychological issues were resolved by moving the children into better homes however, as many of them remained aggressive and confrontational due to their early experiences of neglect.

Scientists involved in the study also discovered that lack of social interaction had a negative impact on the children’s neural development which tended to be weaker when they were raised in poor conditions.

Growing Up with Divorce

Although many children are fortunate enough to grow up with both of their biological parents, divorce is an all too common problem that can have a tremendous effect on a child’s development. No matter what the age of the child, divorce is a major change in family life that can sometimes lead to the absence of a parent or switching between two different households.

Typically in younger children, divorce tends to intensify their dependence and cause a regressive response as they experience the unfamiliarity, instability and insecurity of their new parental situation.

Adolescents may behave in the opposite way becoming more independent and aggressive, often defying their parents following the divorce. The long term impact of divorce can result in issues of anxiety, depression and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships.

Financial Issues And Unemployment

Families that experience financial hardship may end up creating an unstable environment for a child who is not able to have material needs met. Low family income tends to negatively affect social-emotional, cognitive and academic abilities as children grow up.

Parental employment instability is also linked to poorer academic performance in children including problems with grade retention, lower educational attainment and internalizing or externalizing behaviors. Parents with lower academic achievement such as a high school education or less tend to have children who experience more problems with grade retention.

Job instability including job loss tends to have worse behavioral outcomes for children compared with situations in which a parent may voluntarily change jobs or has fluctuating work hours. A father’s job loss in dual income households tends to have more of a negative impact on children than a mother’s job loss.

Residential instability and the quality of homes and neighborhoods can also lead to worse academic and social outcomes for young elementary school children including poor social development.

Addiction and the Cycle of Abuse

Children who grow up in a household with an addicted parent tend to experience more neglect and abuse than in non-addicted families making them more inclined to have behavioral and social problems that continue into adulthood.

Exposure to drug use itself can also have a negative impact on children who are more likely to commit crimes or abuse substances as adults. Studies have shown a shocking number of currently detained prison inmates experienced abuse or witnessed addiction in their upbringing.

Children who grow up amongst drug abuse, alcoholism and criminal activity are more likely to join into these activities as they grow older. This creates a terrible cycle, especially for those who grow up in underprivileged neighborhoods and environments where drug use is more common. These children tend to remain “in the system” often ending up in prison when they become adults.

Any type of instability can have an impact on children but those who go through the worst levels of neglect and abuse often struggle to recover and live normal lives as adults.

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Shia LeBeouf’s Arrest and Apology

Actor Shia LeBeouf recently took to Twitter to post a public apology following a drunken confrontation with police in Georgia over the weekend. He was arrested for suspicion of obstruction, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. A video has circulated the internet in which LeBeouf goes on a tirade against the police even speaking in profanities and making racist comments to some of the officers at the station.

LeBeouf has been making headlines for some time with his bizarre public behavior and issues with drinking. In his Twitter apology he seems to have a desire to turn this pattern around saying “I have been struggling with addiction publicly for far too long, and I am actively taking steps toward securing my sobriety and hope I can be forgiven for my mistakes.” He also expressed shame for his behavior and his “disrespect for authority”.

Drunken Behavior and Aggression

The actor’s run in with the police took place on July 8th when he approached a bystander on an intersection asking for a cigarette. According to the police report, LeBeouf flew into a rage when he was not given a cigarette and began shouting vulgar language and profanity. An officer told him to leave the area and he refused, becoming disorderly and aggressive.

When the police officer attempted to arrest LeBeouf he ran to a nearby hotel but was eventually taken into custody in the lobby. He was taken to the police station and caught on camera saying that one of the police officers would go to hell “because he’s a black man”. LeBeouf apologized on Twitter to the officers, expressing regret for his behavior and gratitude for their restraint in dealing with his conduct.

Although LeBeouf was arrested and charged with obstruction, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, he was eventually released on a $7,000 bond.

Past Issues with Alcohol and Arrests

This is by no means Shia LeBeouf’s first encounter with the police while intoxicated as the actor has been arrested multiple times in the last decade. In 2007 he was arrested for refusing to leave a Walgreen’s while intoxicated and in 2008 he had a DUI arrest after a car accident in which he injured his hand.

Le Beouf was also involved in a bar fight in 2011 and in 2014 he was arrested again for disorderly conduct at a performance of “Cabaret”. The actor was apparently smoking cigarettes, yelling at actors and swearing at security guards while inside a New York City theatre.  He faced multiple charges and eventually pled guilty to disorderly conduct but was able to make a deal with no jail time.

The next year he was arrested again in Austin, Texas for public intoxication and again in 2017 during his performance art project following President Trump’s inauguration. His project took place at the Museum of the Moving Image where he invited participants to film themselves saying “He Will Not Divide Us”. Outside museum he was arrested after he had yanked a man’s scarf, scratching his face and shoved him.

The art project was eventually shut down because it was said to have caused a volatile situation and public safety hazards. It was then moved to Albuquerque and eventually Liverpool to the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology.

LeBeouf’s Recovery and Relapse

Shia LeBeouf’s very public alcohol issues and outrageous behavior have led him to seek help for his addiction in the past. In 2014, the actor entered rehab following his arrest at the Broadway showing of “Cabaret”. After this incident he realized that his actions were part of a larger health problem and he decided to focus on recovery.

LeBeouf was part of an outpatient alcohol treatment program and spoke about his experiences in group therapy which he felt was similar to method acting. The actor managed to stay sober for some time although it unclear when he fell off the wagon and began drinking again.

He began getting involved in public drunken incidents again this year including blowing up at a bartender in Jerry’s Famous Deli in May. His most recent arrest is another example of how out of control his drinking and aggression have become again in spite of his efforts to become sober in the past.

Getting Sober Again

Although LeBeouf has clearly fallen off the wagon, his Twitter apology included an assertion that he would take steps to become sober again. It is not yet known whether he will enter another rehab program but he seemed contrite after his encounter with the police and wants to quit drinking. LeBeouf insisted that he has been “struggling with addiction publicly for far too long”. If the actor is able to go into recovery again he may finally leave behind his issues and avoid any more incidents with the police in the future.

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Is It Harder To Stay Sober In The Summer?

The summer months are the time when most people take vacations, have plenty of parties or get togethers, and take day trips to the beach or lake. In summer most people normally relax and celebrate but for those in recovery it can be an especially hard time to stay sober. Events and activities like the fourth of July and summer parties mean there is plenty of booze around and a lot of opportunities to experience triggers and feelings of temptation. It may seem like there are more uncomfortable situations in summer and more times where a sober person feels left out. Instead of joining in on drinks with friends you have to watch from the sidelines and try to have a good time in spite of everything. In the midst of recovery, summer can be painful and in the worst cases it can be a danger to a person’s commitment to avoid alcohol. However, it is possible to live through summer while remaining sober and still have some fun with friends.

Staying in Touch with Goals

When you are in a situation where you feel like you wish you could join in on drinking it is a good time to think about why you made the decision to quit in the first place. Looking back on the reasons and events leading up to your recovery can help you stay in touch with your goal of being sober. If you think about how hard you have worked and what you have accomplished so far in recovery then it can help you reaffirm your commitment. Whenever you feel tempted to drink you can remember your struggles in the past and ask yourself if one beer is worth throwing all it away. An important thing to remember that can be easy to forget in the spur of the moment at a party is that for an addict it is not possible to have just one. Even have just one drink means that are off the wagon and it can quickly lead to a full relapse.

Attending a Support Group

Is summer seems especially hard, make an effort to go to more meetings and stay connected with the people in your support group. If you have a sponsor, tell them about the triggers you are experiencing at summer parties and ask them for help or advice. You can never have too many people supporting you when you are struggling with staying sober so take advantage of any resources you have. In your twelve step meetings you can talk to the group about how hard summer is for you and many of them may agree and share similar reactions. Being candid with others about your fears of relapse and feeling left out can keep those emotions from building up and becoming bigger. In your group you can talk about upcoming events that you are nervous about and they may have some insight into the best way to stay sober.

Choosing the Right People and Places

Even though you might feel obligated to attend every party or keep in touch with everyone who invites you to something, the most important thing to focus on is recovery. In many cases there may be certain people from your past that you should avoid especially if they are an old drinking buddy that is uncomfortable with or not supportive about your sobriety. Putting yourself in old situations, places or around people that you associated with binge drinking will make getting through the summer months more difficult. If you feel tempted to spend time in these situations try to analyze your motives and find out if it really is about connecting with friends or about wanting to drink again. There is nothing wrong with being honest and telling a friend that you don’t feel ready to be in a certain atmosphere yet. Try to choose activities and places where you will feel safe and comfortable as often as you can.

Getting Help from a Sober Friend

At times there will be certain events that you can’t avoid, and in this case the best option is to bring a friend from your recovery group who will act as your sober buddy. When you are with someone else who is in the same position that you are, the two of you can rely on each other to stay strong and provide support. With a sober friend there you can come up with a plan together on how to handle the party or activity if either of you feel tempted. Make sure that your friend will be comfortable in that environment too and that they are either farther along in their recovery or in a similar position. You can both talk to each other about the experience and leave early if it seems too stressful.

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5 Things You Need To Know About Roxycodone

Painkillers have become one of the most abused drugs in the country and prescription opioid use has risen to epidemic levels. There are a number of different painkillers that are typically abused but one of the most highly addictive is roxycodone or “Roxy” as it is sometimes called. More than 9 percent of Americans have or will abuse opioid painkillers such as roxycodone at some point in their lifetime.

Roxy is classified as a schedule II narcotic meaning that although it has accepted medical use for treatment, it also has a high potential for abuse which can lead to severe psychological and physical dependence.

Roxycodone is considered especially addictive because it is designed to provide immediate relief which can abusers a faster high. For people with legitimate issues of pain, they must be especially cautious when prescribed roxycodone to prevent dependency.

1. What is Roxycodone?

Roxycodone is a prescription semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that is provided by doctors for moderate or severe pain and in some cases for chronic pain issues. It works quickly to relieve pain that affects areas of the central nervous system of the body.

Like many other opioids, roxycodone when taken for prolonged periods of time can cause the user to develop a tolerance to the drug. After some time users may no longer feel the effects and may resort to taking higher doses which can be particularly dangerous.

Roxycodone dulls the pain receptors in your brain and with too high of a dose it may also depress your respiratory system which can be fatal. Users may mistakenly believe that the drug is safe because it is prescribed by a doctor but there are many dangers associated with opioids like roxycodone.

2. What is the Difference Between Roxycodone and Oxycodone?

The active ingredient in roxycodone is called oxycodone and it acts as the opioid component that makes the drug effective as a painkiller. Oxycodone is synthesized from thebaine, an opioid alkaloid found in the Persian poppy and opioid poppy.

Roxycodone is simply one of the many available forms of oxycodone which is also found in other commonly abused painkillers such as oxycontin. However, oxycontin is a controlled-release type of oxycodone which means it provides sustained relief over a longer period of time. On the other hand, roxycodone is an immediate release oxycodone and gives the user a more sudden rush of pleasure.

This intense and immediate high can make the drug more addictive for abusers because they will crave the experience again when it ends.

3. What is Roxycodone’s Street Value?

Prescription drugs like roxycodone are usually prescribed for medical reasons and some abusers may find ways to obtain them from a doctor. However, painkillers are also frequently bought and sold on the street if they become difficult to obtain through a prescription.

The street value of roxycodone can vary from city to city depending on the level of demand in that particular area. The price of roxy may range anywhere from $10 or $20 to even as much as $40 for a thirty milligram pill. The street value of a drug tends to increase when prescriptions are hard to obtain and doctors are hesitant to provide the medication for fear of misuse.

Addicts who buy the pills on the street may abuse the drug by crushing up the pills for snorting, smoking or even shooting up intravenously.

4. What are the Effects of Roxycodone 30?

Roxycodone is typically prescribed in a few different doses starting from 5mg, 15mg or 30 mg depending on the severity of the patient’s pain. The dosage indicates how much oxycodone is administered in the tablet along with the other inactive ingredients.

Roxycodone works to immediately dull pain in the body but for abusers without physical pain it can also produce intensely positive feelings and rewarding sensations such as extreme relaxation, reduced anxiety and euphoria.

Abusing the drug with a 30 mg dose can be dangerous especially when using methods that accelerate the absorption of the drug such as snorting or shooting it which can lead to overdose. It can also have a number of unwanted side effects especially when going through withdrawal from the drug.

5. What are Roxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms?

Abstaining from the use of roxycodone after prolonged periods of abuse can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle aches

It can also cause mental and emotional distress including depression, anxiety and extreme mood changes. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 4 to 6 hours after the last use of the drug and can continue for several days. Symptoms tend to resolve completely within 7 to 10 days.

Quitting or weaning off of a drug like roxycodone can be difficult and even dangerous to go through alone. It is important to find professional help if you are addicted to roxycodone.

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The Rise of Marijuana Edibles In California

One of the fastest growing segments of the medicinal marijuana industry in California has been pot in the form of edibles. Marijuana dispensaries all over the state now provide THC in an immense array of products such as candies, cookies, crackers, breath mints and even potato chips. Edibles are now a popular way for people to get their dose of THC without ever having to inhale any smoke. Just a decade ago, edibles were rare and only distributed in a handful of food products infused with marijuana. Now edibles have become 43 percent of the market share and continue to grow every day as people keep experimenting with different foods and forms of cannabis.

Concerns about a Growing Industry

The edibles industry will likely expand much more following the recent legalization of recreational pot in California. Sale of recreational marijuana is expected to begin next year but many young entrepreneurs are already looking for ways to enter the edibles market with unique products. People want to differentiate themselves to become part of the edibles movement by creating their own niche such as vegan baked goods infused with THC. Edibles can be especially helpful for patients who suffer from chronic pain because it allows them to easily take a dose during the time when they are in high levels of pain. However, many people are concerned about the rise of edibles, the possibility of addiction and the tendency for young people to overdose and end up in the emergency room. Taking edibles recreationally can be problematic in some cases because people who are inexperienced may not understand the correct dosage and end up taking too much. This has caused a significant increase in emergency room visits related to edible ingestion in states where marijuana is legal.

Preventing Harm from Edibles

There are more fears about edibles beyond adults accidentally becoming too intoxicated. Because edibles are often in the form of sweets and candies that look like normal food, there is a significant dangers that very young children may ingest them. If a parent leaves them at home and doesn’t take enough measures to secure them properly the child may unknowingly eat several and become poisoned. Some states have allowed certain products like gummies and require edibles to have child-resistant packaging that’s opaque such as prescription type bottles. California lawmakers are concerned that this may not be enough to deter children from eating cannabis laced candy and they have proposed a bill to crack down on these types of edibles. Assemblyman Rudy Salas has proposed that they stop making edibles look like candy altogether because it is too appealing to unsuspecting children. He wants to make sure that edibles are used by adults only and don’t end up causing harm.

The issues surrounding children and edibles are not just preventative measures, there have already been cases of accidental ingestion. California emergency room doctors have seen small children even younger than the age of 2 all the way up to teenagers who mistakenly take edibles. The kids believe that they are simply normal gummy bears, life savers or chocolate bars and they end up getting intoxicated. In order to combat this growing problem, the new proposed Assembly Bill 350 that will be up for a senate vote would ban edibles that resemble humans, animals, insects, fruit or other commonly used shapes associated with regular candy. Lawmakers worry that edibles are made to look like candy intentionally to appeal to kids, similar to the way the tobacco industry used to market cigarettes to young people. They hope that this new bill is passed in order to slow or halt the rise in accidental ingestions in children.

Effects of Overdose

Although the bill if passed would ban certain kinds of edibles, the rise of the industry overall is not likely to stop. Edibles for the most part have been considered a positive addition to medicinal marijuana dispensaries especially for people who deal with legitimate medical issues such as pain or insomnia. However, there are plenty of adults who experience unfortunate side effects from edibles or unwittingly overdose causing them to become frighteningly intoxicated. Only two years ago in Colorado a 19 year old student leapt to his death from a four story hotel after consuming a marijuana cookie. Another 23 year old Oklahoma native shot himself after consuming 5 times the recommended dosage of an edible. Stories like these may not represent the majority of edible users but they do suggest that this type of marijuana should be consumed with as much caution as possible. It is important for all edible users to strictly follow the recommended dose and avoid taking more because they don’t feel the effects yet. Edibles can take at least one but at times several hours to take effect. As long as edibles are used in moderation and kept away from children, they are likely to be a staple in the marijuana industry for some time.

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Actor Will Arnett’s Alcohol Relapse

Netflix recently released the new season of “Flaked”, a comedy-drama starring actor Will Arnett who also acts as co-writer and director of the show. The show’s main character regularly attends AA meetings and seems to be in recovery for a drinking problem. Arnett has said in the past that the character is very much based on his own story of alcohol abuse, a problem that started re-occurring through the process of shooting the show. Arnett admitted that he relapsed while working on “Flaked” after being sober for 15 years as he began to secretly start drinking again. He found that the stress of creating, writing, producing and starring in his own series took its toll on him, especially because it involved revisiting some dark moments from his past. Making the show became an uncomfortable process at times because he wrote about issues with drinking that were taken from his own life. He noticed that it started to affect his mood and behavior and he turned to alcohol again to cope with the experience. Arnett called a friend about his relapse who helped him return to AA meetings and he is now clean and sober again.

Creating a Personal Role

Arnett initially had the idea for “Flaked” in 2012 when he was in difficult place in his life following his divorce from comedian, Amy Poehler. He began to write the character of “Chip” who is also a divorcee in recovery as a way to tackle his personal issues but the process did not feel as liberating as he imagined. He privately struggled with his own demons as he wrote the show but it was something that he chose to do in spite of his many other offers in Hollywood. Arnett’s career has been skyrocketing since his memorable roles on “Arrested Development” and “30 Rock” while more recently starring in blockbuster hits “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “The Lego Movie”.  Arnett is known as a gifted comedic actor and a favorite on late night talk shows because of his fun and witty presence. He hoped, however, that creating and starring in “Flaked” would help him show his depth and ability as a dramatic actor as well. Following some bad reviews of the show, Arnett wondered if what he went through to make the show has been worth it in the end.

Past Drinking Problems

The actor is originally from Toronto, Canada but moved to New York in 1990 to pursue acting. He wanted to be a serious drama actor but ended up getting steady gigs doing voice-over work but was unable to get any roles from his auditions in LA. As he struggled to break into television, Arnett became depressed and began wasting all the money he made from voice-overs at the bar. He went to the same bar every single day to drink and started going in earlier and earlier. Arnett then received what he thought would be his big break with a role on an NBC sitcom but the show was canceled after only two episodes. After this blow his drinking became worse than ever until a friend became concerned and intervened. He started attending AA meetings and decided to move to Venice, CA, the scenic backdrop of “Flaked”. Things improved as he went to daily meetings and became comfortable in his sobriety. He met Amy Poehler and fell in love, eventually getting what was his true break when he landed a role on “Arrested Development”, a critically acclaimed comedy that was a life-affirming experience for him.

Sober for the Second Time

Even with two children, Archie and Abel, his marriage to Amy Poehler eventually fell apart in an amicable split. In spite of going through a divorce and various ups and downs throughout his career, Arnett remained sober for 15 years until he began working on “Flaked”. He began to justify his behavior by believing he needed to drink again to play the part of Chip but he truly felt ashamed and terrible about the relapse. Arnett knew that the path of drinking is a dead end so he decided to go back to AA and has been sober again since 2016. Although “Flaked” received some good and bad reviews, Arnett received a lot of support from fans on Twitter many of whom shared their own stories of recovery. Fortunately, the show landed a shorter six episode second season which was just recently released on Netflix. Although making the show led to some difficult emotions and a temporary relapse, now that he is back on the wagon it seems it was a cathartic experience for Arnett who was able to make a more personal show that reflected his own life. The actor can now be seen for his variety of talents in addition to his unique comedic voice.

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Ryan Lochte Was In “A Dark Place” After Rio Olympics

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte was involved in a massive scandal last year while he was involved with the games in Brazil. The events following the incident left Lochte in a very depressed state and nearly on the brink of suicide. He became one of the most universally hated athletes because of his behavior and lost most of his sponsors. Lochte admitted that he reached the lowest point he had ever been and felt that he was about to “hang up” his entire life. Things are looking to improve for the competitive swimmer as his 10 month suspension, issued last fall, will be complete at the end of June. Lochte has been critical of the punishment handed down to him, believing it to be harsher than even some past punishments for other athletes with greater crimes. He has recently been swimming in meets that were outside the scope of his suspension and he will soon return to competition to try and make the Tokyo 2020 Olympic team.

The Olympic Star and His Mistake

Lochte is a 12 time Olympic gold medalist with the second most wins in swimming behind Michael Phelps. He currently holds the world record for the 200 meter individual medley and 400 meter individual race. In spite of his status as one of the best athletes on the American Olympic team, Lochte has been admonished for what occurred in Rio de Janeiro and it has significantly affected his career. The 2016 Rio Olympics began well as the American swim team winning a medal for the relay although Lochte finished in 5th place for the 200 meter individual medley. On August 14th, Lochte and a few of his teammates claimed that they had been robbed by people posing as police after being forced out of their taxi at gunpoint early in the morning. Later a surveillance video and police report emerged that suggested the athletes had invented the robbery story.

What Happened in Brazil

Lochte had stated initially that they were pulled over in their taxi by people who held up a police badge and pulled out their guns. He claimed that one held a gun to his forehead and they were forced to give them their wallets and cellphones. Following this story, police were unable to corroborate any of the details and did not find the taxi driver that they spoke of. It was eventually discovered that Lochte and his teammates had in reality vandalized a gas station bathroom and were forced to pay for the damage on the spot. Surveillance video footage showed them interacting with gas station employees and security guards and at least one of the teammates opening his wallet. The police found out that the Olympic athletes had been drunk and damaged the floor, soap dispenser and mirror in the bathroom of the gas station. Lochte said that they fabricated the robbery story because they were afraid of getting in trouble. It was the charge of filing a false police report that ultimately got the athlete in much more trouble.

Recovering from Difficult Times

After the truth about the incident was discovered, Lochte apologized and admitted that he had lied about the robbery story. He then lost all four of his major sponsors including Speedo USA and Ralph Lauren Corp and was told he would be suspended for 10 months from major competitions. Lochte admitted at the time he felt like the most hated person in the world and that he had thoughts that if he died in his sleep it would be fine. He said that he almost felt as though he should hide from the public for the remainder of his life. Although he later denied being suicidal, he admitted that he did feel he was in the darkest place he had ever been. Lochte has said that his stint on the show “Dancing with the Stars” helped get him out of the bad place he was in following the Rio incident. Even though he initially felt he didn’t want to show his face, being on the show helped him get comfortable again in the public eye. He said that being surrounded by so many positive people including his dance partner, Cheryl, helped lifted him out of the depression he was facing.

Even though at one point Ryan Lochte thought he would never be a public athlete again, he has started swimming and plans to return to competition. He said that his suspension was heart-breaking because swimming is what he loves to do most and it has always been a part of his life. Lochte, a now 35 year old athlete, will finally be able to swim in major events when his suspension is lifted on June 30 and he will likely start winning medals once again.

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Why Celebrities Overdose

Although plenty of people dream of being a famous musician, singer or actor, the price of fame can be high and it is all too common to lose some of our favorites artists to addiction. Celebrity overdoses have always been a rampant problem even since the 1960s when talented legends like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin died young from drug related issues. Over the years, drug statistics have the tendency to rise and fall but celebrity drug use remains stagnant. What is this the connection between celebrity status, drug abuse and overdose? Although each individual’s story of addiction is different, there seems to be a pattern related to fame and what it involves that causes drug abuse. Celebrities often have unbridled access to drugs combined with issues of depression and anxiety that can be common in creative people. Looking at different celebrity stories may make it easier to understand why this problem is so prevalent.

Prince’s Struggles with Opioids

Prince was known for his outlandish looks, passionate performances, impressive guitar playing and unique skills in songwriting. He honed and crafted all these talents in spite of growing up in desperate poverty, his family barely able to afford food after his parents divorced. He had epilepsy as a child and was often bullied in school which made him crave attention and develop anger issues as he grew up. Prince began playing in a band when he was just 14 and by the age of 19 he was already the youngest artist signed to Warner Brothers with contract allowing him complete creative control. He had breakthrough hit albums in the early 1980s like Dirty Mind and 1999 which sold 3 million copies. His issues with opioids began more recently after he  started suffering from hip strain which caused him to have chronic pain. Many of his friends knew that he was in a lot of pain even though he chose to keep performing and recording, using prescription opioids to continue working as much as possible.

Prince was found dead in April of 2016 at his home in Minnesota and it was determined through a toxicology report that he overdosed on fentanyl, an opioid prescribed by doctors for cancer treatment that may have been obtained illegally. Friends and family revealed that he had been dealing with an addiction Percocet for a number of years. It was later discovered that Prince’s prescriptions for oxycodone had been written under his bodyguard’s name, Kirk Johnson, for “privacy”. This suggests the possibility that some of those in Prince’s inner circle were helping him obtain medication in spite of his addiction, an issue that is commonly seen in celebrity overdoses.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s Fatal Heroin Addiction

A critically acclaimed actor with multiple awards and nominations for a long list of films, Phillip Seymour Hoffman was known as one of Hollywood’s elite talents. He was also a devoted father of three and had been sober for decades before relapsing back into heroin abuse and eventually spiralling out of control. Hoffman had a deep love for theatre and very high standards for his acting which at times could cause him to feel tortured about his artistic performances. He had checked into rehab for a heroin addiction just after graduating college when he was only 22 years old. Once he became sober he began his career mostly with small roles until he started collaborating with directors like Paul Thomas Anderson in “Boogie Nights” and eventually went on to win leading roles such as that of “Capote” for which he won an Academy Award.

Hoffman had been off of heroin for 23 years but the problem started resurfacing and he started relying on prescription drugs to break the habit again. Friends and neighbors said that he could be seen at the bar alone at night looking dark and depressed. He was kicked out of his family home because his heroin addiction started spiraling out of control. Although Hoffman returned to rehab and was briefly sober again, he was later found dead in his apartment with a syringe still sticking out of his arm. Police found 70 bags of heroin in a drawer inside his home and people in his inner circle confirmed that his heroin use had been very heavy before his death.

Scott Weiland Loses His Battle to Drugs

Even though he was a rockstar with a career spanning three decades, Scott Weiland dealt with some personal demons and drug abuse that ultimately took his life. In the 1990s he rose to fame was the frontman for the popular band Stone Temple Pilots, later moving on to the supergroup Velvet Revolver with members of Guns N’ Roses in the early 2000s. Over the years, Weiland battled an addiction to several drugs including heroin but at one point had quit all of his habits. His drug abuse had caused rifts between him and people in his life and many of his performances suffered due to being intoxicated onstage. He was seen on a few different occasions forgetting lyrics and even falling off stage at one show.

Even though he had been sober for some time, shortly before his death there were rumors floating around that he had returned to drug abuse and cocaine was found on the bus that he died on. Weiland was known to have suffered from depression for years and even took medication for bipolar disorder. He spoke in interviews about his tendency to use heavy drugs until they exacerbated his depression which ultimately gave him something to write about in his music. When sober he felt uninspired and admits that he probably subconsciously took drugs to fuel his creativity.

Corey Monteith’s Tragic Overdose

One of the stars of the hit show Glee, Corey Monteith, was only 31 when he was found in a hotel room dead from a mixed drug toxicity of heroin and alcohol. Monteith had a lifelong struggle with addiction but was trying to get on the right track by spending a month in rehab prior to his overdose. His drug and alcohol use had been a problem since he was only 12 years old trying to escape his troubled youth. He began jumping between 16 different schools including alternative programs for problematic kids. Asked by his family to quit drugs, Monteith decided to get sober and move to LA to start acting in 2009. It wasn’t long before he landed his breakout role in “Glee” where he began to gain some notoriety. It was while working on the show, however, that Monteith relapsed and many of the cast members and producers became concerned. They staged an intervention, asking him to attend rehab and get clean to which Monteith complied. Soon after completing rehab however, he overdosed most likely because of a decreased tolerance from his period of sobriety.

Whitney Houston’s Addiction to Cocaine

Pop princess, Whitney Houston, has long been touted as one of the most talented singers of all time. However, her issues with drugs caused the star to pass away at the age of only 48 years old. Houston was groomed to be a star by Arista president, Clive Davis but she began rebelling against the pressure to be perfect by taking drugs in her early 20s. The singer often felt that she couldn’t be herself completely because of her fame and she had to hide many of her insecurities, family issues and personal emotional problems that plagued her throughout her career. Houston especially resented the control that Davis had over her and the clean image that he wanted her to present at all times. Friends and colleagues said that Houston used drugs to escape her pain but her addiction began to spiral. They also said that she was surrounded by enablers who allowed her to continue her abuse and do whatever she wanted. The singer entered rehab multiple times but her drug problem ultimately took her life.

Lisa Robin Kelly’s Drinking Problem

One of the stars of the popular series, “That 70’s Show”, Lisa Robin Kelly rose to fame playing the older sister, Laurie, alongside Topher Grace. She worked on the show for five seasons until her character was written out of the series by leaving home to go to beauty school. The reality was that Kelly was unable to continue working because of her heavy addiction to cocaine and alcohol. The producers of the show insisted that she enter rehab but she was ultimately fired in 2002. Kelly’s issues with drug abuse soon became much worse as she was arrested multiple times including once for driving under the influence in 2010, and later again for spousal abuse two years later. The star admitted that she had a miscarriage as a result of her drinking and over time she became almost unrecognizable due to her addiction. In 2013, Kelly attempted to get help by checking into a rehab facility in California to quit her alcohol issues. It was while attending rehab that the actress overdosed and passed away.

Amy Winehouse’s Troubled Life

A singer-songwriter with a unique artistic ability, Amy Winehouse was adored by fans and critics for her deeply personal and sometimes dark music. While her career was at its peak, Winehouse died of an overdose at the age of 27 in her London home. Winehouse’s issues with drugs and alcohol were no secret to fans as her most famous hit song “Rehab” detailed her refusal to get help for her substance abuse. In spite of the anthem, Winehouse actually did enter rehab a few times but left early for each program. She admitted in several interviews that she suffered from manic depression and even symptoms of an eating disorder combined with self-injury. Winehouse had a troubled relationship with her on and off again boyfriend and fellow drug abuser Blake Fielder-Civil. Many of the lyrics on her hit album “Back to Black” were about Blake and their difficult romance. The pain and depression that Winehouse expressed in her lyrics were what made her connect with listeners and even her addiction became part of her artistic persona. Her career was cut short when she died of alcohol intoxication following a long battle of substance abuse.

Heath Ledger Dies from Prescription Drugs

The beloved actor who played the Joker in “The Dark Knight”, Heath Ledger, was a rising star when his highly publicized death turned his career into a tragedy. Ledger was known for his impressive acting skills but his talent became overshadowed by his issues with drugs. He was found in his Manhattan apartment where he overdosed with six different types of prescription drugs used for anxiety and sleeping problems. Ledger was on and off drugs but frequently took prescription medication to help him with his insomnia which sometimes led to harder drug use. The actor was committed to all of his roles through method acting, often getting deeply involved in entering the mind of the characters he played. Fans wonder if his final role as the Joker took its toll on him mentally and physically but Ledger was already filming his next project at the time of his death. The actor was the father of a two year old girl to whom he was a devoted parent in spite of his issues with drugs.

In many cases of celebrity overdoses, the individuals are uniquely talented and often tortured artists that struggle with fame and personal demons. Actors and musicians can sometimes have troubled pasts and problems with depression which help to drive their creativity. While they may be able to turn their pain into something beautiful, it does not always ease their suffering. Fame can also come with its own drawbacks because it means living in the spotlight and having to present a certain image. Celebrities at the height of fame also have enough money and access to drugs to engage in rampant abuse. They are also frequently surrounded by enablers or fellow drug abusers who never question their choices. There are plenty of famous actors and musicians who are able to continue working for their entire lives but unfortunately some of the most talented and gifted people never manage to escape their demons.

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