Leandro de Souza, once Brazil’s most tattooed man with 170 tattoos covering 95% of his body, has undergone tattoo removal after a life of hedonism and hardship, including homelessness and substance abuse, triggered by personal struggles and a spiritual awakening. He shares his painful journey of laser removal and hopes to rebuild his life, support his family, and find meaningful employment.
Luis Sharpe, a former NFL offensive tackle and three-time Pro Bowler who played for the Cardinals, has died at age 65. His life included notable achievements on the field and struggles with addiction and legal issues off the field, but he later became an advocate for addiction education with his daughter. The article extends condolences to his family and friends.
Hunter Biden has been pardoned by his father, President Joe Biden, freeing him from legal troubles related to tax crimes and illegal gun purchase. The pardon, criticized by both Democrats and Republicans, offers Hunter a chance to focus on recovery and helping others. The decision was influenced by political pressures and the potential for further legal actions against Hunter. Critics argue the pardon highlights a lack of broader clemency efforts by President Biden.
Vermont is facing a high rate of alcohol use disorder, with the state ranking second in the nation for this issue. The pandemic has led to an increase in alcohol misuse among older adults, with addiction recovery centers reporting a growing number of elderly individuals seeking help for alcohol dependency. Despite the prevalence of alcohol-related health problems, the cultural acceptance of alcohol makes it difficult for people to admit they have a problem and seek help. This issue has received less attention compared to the opioid epidemic, despite consistently affecting more people.
Candice Love, a wedding photographer from Oklahoma, is using her photography skills to capture the stories of addiction recovery in a series called 'Redemption Story.' She offers free portrait sessions to former addicts, aiming to change perceptions and provide a physical reminder of their transformation. Inspired by her own family's struggles with addiction, Love hopes to compile these stories into a book to inspire others and show that change is possible.
Kaveh Akbar, a successful poet, is set to release his debut novel, "Martyr!," which follows the story of a young Iranian American man whose mother died in the real-life Iran Air Flight 655 tragedy. Akbar's journey from battling addiction to finding success as a writer and professor reflects a remarkable turnaround in his life.
Susan Shapiro shares her personal journey and lessons learned from quitting smoking weed and cigarettes after 27 years of use. Key takeaways include avoiding starting on holidays, not substituting one addiction for another, using a combination of methods for quitting, recognizing that group therapy isn't for everyone, understanding the cost-effectiveness of treatment, the importance of support systems, dealing with unsupportive peers, the ongoing nature of recovery, and not expecting immediate happiness post-quitting. She emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach and staying vigilant to avoid replacing one addiction with another.
Utah celebrates a 26% reduction in opioid prescriptions over the past five years, with daily prescriptions dropping from 7,000 to 5,200. The achievement was marked by the installation of two pill-bottle chandeliers at McKay-Dee Hospital, symbolizing the significant decrease in prescriptions. Health care providers, such as Intermountain Health, have played a crucial role in changing prescribing patterns and reducing the number of opioids prescribed to patients. However, there is still more work to be done, including distributing naloxone, expanding treatment resources, and eliminating the stigma around substance addiction. The collaborative effort aims to further reduce opioid use, treat addiction, and save lives.
Evan Ellingson, a former Hollywood child star known for his roles in "My Sister's Keeper," "CSI: Miami," and "24," has died at the age of 35. The cause of death is pending, but he was found dead at his residence in Fontana. Ellingson had been residing at a sober-living home and had sought addiction recovery treatment in 2021. He started his acting career at a young age and had a successful run in the 2000s before taking a break from acting.
Princess Kate Middleton pays tribute to designer Sarah Burton by wearing an Alexander McQueen suit after Burton announced her departure as creative director of the fashion house. Kate visited a male prison in Surrey to learn about a charity's support for inmates recovering from addiction. Burton gained worldwide fame for designing Kate's wedding dress and has been a favored designer for the princess. The departure of Burton, who joined Alexander McQueen in 1997, has sparked speculation about her potential future endeavors. The luxury fashion group, which also owns Gucci and Balenciaga, has not yet announced Burton's replacement.
The body of Beau Mann, the CEO and creator of addiction recovery app Sober Grid, was found in the courtyard of an abandoned property in Santa Monica, 18 months after he went missing. Mann was last seen climbing into an Uber and texting 911 less than 10 minutes later. His death is being investigated as a possible homicide, with investigators looking into the "gibberish" text he sent to 911. Mann's app, Sober Grid, has been credited with saving thousands of lives.
The remains found on an abandoned property in Santa Monica last month have been identified as those of Beau Mann, a tech founder and CEO who had been missing since November 2021. Mann, who founded Sober Grid, a community platform for addiction recovery, was last seen getting into an Uber outside a convenience store in Studio City. He texted 911 from inside the Uber and was dropped off in Santa Monica, but did not respond to authorities' attempts to follow up. The case is being investigated as a possible homicide.
The body of Beau Mann, founder and CEO of Sober Grid, a digital health company that provides addiction recovery services, was found in Santa Monica more than a year after he went missing. Mann was last seen outside a convenience store in Studio City, wearing a blue baseball cap, dark sweatshirt and pants and black shoes. The Los Angeles County Coroner is working to determine a cause of death. Mann's family and Sober Grid released statements mourning his loss and celebrating his legacy.
Rapper Flavor Flav visited Harvard University to talk to students about hip-hop culture, volunteered at a homeless shelter, and donated one of his notable clock necklaces to the Hip Hop Archive Research Institute. He also gave his expertise in language arts to the students via a table read of Emily Dickinson's poem. Earlier this year, he revealed his six-year addiction to drugs, spending up to $2600 a day, and celebrated six years of sobriety in October.
