addiction

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Mom Discovers Phone Rules for Child Apply to Her, Too

Slate's Molly Mulshine doesn't let her toddler use devices, but her own use was becoming an issue

(Newser) - Molly Mulshine tries hard to limit the screen time her 1-year-old baby is getting, citing various studies that indicate how bad too much time on phones, iPads, and other electronic devices are for kids and teens. But in her new essay for Slate , Mulshine reveals that she was the one...

TikTok Docs Show Fast Addiction, Stripping Teens: Reports

Latest reveals come out of redacted sections of Kentucky complaint seen by NPR, KPR

(Newser) - Last week, more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia sued TikTok , claiming the social media platform is addictive for children. Now, a deeper dive into the "TikTok documents," which show just how much TikTok knew about the app's effects on kids and teens, revealed...

States Sue TikTok, Claiming It's Addictive for Kids

More than a dozen AGs go after social media platform, saying it's damaging to mental health

(Newser) - More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits against TikTok on Tuesday, alleging the popular short-form video app is harming youth mental health by designing its platform to be addictive to kids. The lawsuits stem from a national investigation into TikTok, launched in March 2022 by...

For Some, the Psychedelic Trip Is a 'Gamble Worth Taking'
He Gambled His Life
on Ibogaine, and Lost
longform

He Gambled His Life on Ibogaine, and Lost

The psychedelic drug can help people get over their addictions without withdrawal symptoms

(Newser) - For some, ibogaine is a wonder drug, a psychedelic that can help cure addiction and eliminate any symptoms of withdrawal in one dose. It's also illegal in the US, and can be deadly, as detailed by Mattha Busby in a lengthy piece for Rolling Stone . His story revolves around...

Supreme Court Tosses Controversial Opioid Settlement

5-4 ruling blocks nationwide deal with Purdue Pharma over opioid epidemic

(Newser) - The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would have provided billions of dollars to combat the opioid epidemic. After deliberating...

Trump Has Some Thoughts on Hunter Biden

Former president tells Fox that drug addiction is 'a very tough thing' for families to contend with

(Newser) - Donald Trump weighed in on Hunter Biden on Thursday in the wake of the latter's conviction this week on felony gun charges—appearing to be sympathetic to President Biden's son and his struggles with drug addiction. "I understand it pretty well, because I've had it with...

One Woman's Controversial Mission to Help Drug Addicts

Louise Vincent focuses on 'harm reduction' approach instead of abstinence

(Newser) - One way to help addicts off of drugs is to get them to quit cold turkey, an approach favored by many US politicians as they push for legislation and tougher prison sentences to combat the emergence of such drugs as fentanyl and xylazine (aka "tranq," or "zombie...

3 Boys 'Paid the Ultimate Price' for Mom's Addiction

Leticia Gonzales of Michigan to serve up to 5 years for DUI crash that killed her young sons

(Newser) - A western Michigan woman was sentenced to up to five years in prison Monday for a crash in which her three young sons drowned after her SUV plunged into an ice-covered pond, per the AP . Leticia Gonzales, 31, had pleaded no contest in August to operating while intoxicated causing serious...

Drugs Like Ozempic May Help People Stop Drinking

Researchers looking into anecdotal reports of curbed drinking, other addictive habits

(Newser) - The popular diabetes and obesity drug Ozempic appears to have an intriguing and welcome side effect in some people: It helps them curb drinking, reports NPR . In fact, researchers are looking into the possibility that this class of drug (GLP-1) might also reduce cravings for cigarettes and opioids as well—...

US to Study Controversial Idea for Drug Users

$5M will go toward looking at 2 'safe injection sites' in New York and Rhode Island

(Newser) - For the first time, the US government will pay for a large study measuring whether overdoses can be prevented by so-called safe injection sites, places where people can use heroin and other illegal drugs and be revived if they take too much. As the AP reports, the grant provides more...

Matthew Perry Spills More on the 'Big Terrible Thing'

'Friends' actor's book is out, and he goes into more detail on the substance abuse that nearly killed him

(Newser) - Excerpts had leaked in advance of Matthew Perry's book, and he'd openly mentioned in interviews that he'd be talking about his drug and alcohol addiction in it. Now, after the Tuesday release of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, more on the Friends star's extensive...

Matthew Perry: Stomach Scars Remind Me to Stay Sober

Actor opens up about addiction to 'People' ahead of memoir release

(Newser) - Matthew Perry is opening up about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction like never before ahead of the release of his memoir on Nov. 1. He deeply considered the timing of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: "I wanted to share when I was safe from going...

Anne Heche Didn't Deserve 'Vitriol' for Drug Abuse
Anne Heche
May Not Have
Had a 'Choice'
on Drug Abuse
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Anne Heche May Not Have Had a 'Choice' on Drug Abuse

Writing for NBC, Elizabeth Grey slams lack of compassion for those suffering from addiction

(Newser) - On Sunday, Anne Heche's death was confirmed after the actor was taken off life support , just days after the 53-year-old's fiery car crash in Los Angeles. "I wonder whether it’s enough to satisfy those who have been calling for her head," Elizabeth Grey writes in...

Today's Potent Marijuana Poses Bigger Addiction Risk

Users of high-potency THC products have 4 times the risk of users of low-potency products

(Newser) - Cannabis potency is climbing and with it the risk of addiction to the drug. That's according to a review of 20 studies involving nearly 120,000 people, published in The Lancet Psychiatry , per CNN . "One of the highest quality studies included in our publication found that use of...

Out of Crypto, a 'Particularly Dangerous' Addiction

Investors are increasingly seeking out therapists, who say crypto addicts are akin to gambling addicts

(Newser) - If you follow the roller-coaster ride that is Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other forms of cryptocurrency, you're familiar with the feelings that go along with that habit, especially if you're an investor. And they're not always pleasant feelings, according to mental health experts who say they're seeing...

Demi Lovato Announces New Approach to Sobriety

Singer says they're now 'sober sober,' not 'California sober'—meaning no more occasional weed, booze

(Newser) - Demi Lovato has long struggled with substance abuse issues, leading to a 2018 overdose , and this week, they revealed to fans that they're shifting how they deal with their addictions. "I no longer support my 'California sober' ways," Lovato posted Thursday in an Instagram story, reports...

We're in a Perpetual 'Altered State,' Thanks to Caffeine
We're in a Perpetual 'Altered
State,' Thanks to Caffeine
in case you missed it

We're in a Perpetual 'Altered State,' Thanks to Caffeine

Author Michael Pollan explores our history and relationship with this 'invisible addiction'

(Newser) - When author Michael Pollan decided to tackle the subject of psychoactive drugs—specifically, opium, mescaline, and caffeine—for his new book, This Is Your Mind On Plants , he consumed the first two in the name of experimental journalism. But he actually stopped using caffeine, just to see what would happen,...

Markle Offers Ominous Message About Social Media

Says it has become an addiction for many, and that she fled it for 'self-preservation'

(Newser) - Days after describing incessant trolling as " almost unsurvivable ," Meghan Markle has revealed that she avoids social media altogether. "For my own self-preservation, I have not been on social media for a very long time," the Duchess of Sussex said Tuesday during a virtual appearance as part...

He's Almost 13 Years Sober. The Pandemic Is Testing Him

12-step meetings have moved online, but there have been snags

(Newser) - Charlie Campbell, nearly 13 years sober, is feeling tested today more than ever to stay that way. His dad is recovering from COVID-19 in a suburban Seattle hospital. His mom, who has dementia, lives in a facility that now bars visitors because of the virus. A good friend recently killed...

The Science Is In: AA Works
The Science Is In: AA Works

The Science Is In: AA Works

Alcoholics Anonymous works better than professional therapy, in fact

(Newser) - An extensive new study confirms that Alcoholics Anonymous works. In fact, AA not only helps alcoholics get sober, the free program was found to be more effective than professional mental health therapy in terms of participants staying sober. The research, a review of dozens of studies involving more than 10,...

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