Latest news with #sober
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
MAFS star quits showbiz and returns to day job as he puts a call out for new business
MARRIED At First Sight hunk Ross McCarthy has revealed that he has quit showbiz and returned to his day job. The E4 star has returned to his roots as a painter and decorator following his failed TV marriage. 3 3 Ross shared a call out for his business in which he revealed that he and his team are happy to travel for jobs far and wide. He appears to be using his fame to drum up interest in the business by committing to doing jobs for his followers across the country. Appealing for more custom as he returns to his old life, Ross wrote online: "To all my followers who live further away. "If you're looking for painting and decorating work done, especially bigger jobs, feel free to DM me. "I've had a few people ask about distance, but it's no issue now - we're happy to travel and focus on delivering quality work every time. "Let's get your space looking spot on." Ross made history on the show as its first deaf groom, but he broke Sacha's heart after struggling with his anger issues. The reality TV star has since turned his life around – and found new love with a girlfriend Magda. In a powerful message to fans, Ross revealed that he's 65 days sober and determined never to go back. Watch the moment MAFS bride makes major relationship U-turn as she drops bombshell on husband after meeting his family In an emotional post, he shared: 'For everyone who's been asking me about this book – what is it, and what's it done for me – well, here you go. 'I'm finally ready to share it with the world, because I'm more stable now, and my mindset is stronger than ever. 'So yeah… I'm an alcoholic. 'And I'm proud to say that out loud now, because back then, I couldn't.' Ross credited a life-changing book and the unwavering support of his loved ones for helping him on his journey to sobriety. 3
Bloomberg
07-06-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
Does a Michelada Without Beer Still Taste as Sweet?
I find myself unhappily on trend. Young people everywhere are increasingly 'on the wagon' — to use the American idiom for sobriety from the 1920s, when the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution banned the production and sale of alcohol. The wagon in the expression was a public- service vehicle loaded with water to tamp down dust and grime on city streets; by extension, it described the clean and sober law-abiding citizens of America. According to some estimates, 39% of Gen Z say they have foresworn alcoholic drinks; about half of them imbibe such beverages only occasionally. Many have taken to non-alcoholic alternatives. I didn't set out to join that youthful bandwagon. Nevertheless, I have been alcohol-free since Jan. 20, 2025. Those of you who recognize that date as US Inauguration Day must get the coincidence out of your head. It just happened to be when I felt I'd had too much wine over the previous three months. Alas, my doctors agreed with me — because of decades of loving wine and champagne, not just those recent three months. And so, I've spent nearly 140 days looking at how to enjoy the brave new world of NA — a market that's gotten a huge boost in sales and creativity precisely because of health-focused Gen Z, a cohort that probably makes up 25% of the world's population. I am a late Boomer, but now I'm medically required to be young at heart.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My name's Ulrika Jonsson & I'm an alcoholic – I was on knees swigging a bottle at 11am then one day I made cry for help
MY name is Ulrika and I am an alcoholic. Not a drop of alcohol has passed my lips in just over a year. 7 7 For family and friends, it's been a cause for great celebration, it's viewed as a major feat. My eldest daughter even offered to take me out for a celebratory meal. For me, the run-up to this anniversary has been the cause of much trepidation and a sprinkling of fear. But, most of all, it's been a realisation. Because this is my life now. The day I surrendered and accepted I had a problem with alcohol, I knew I couldn't just give it up for a while. I knew I couldn't just cut back in the hope that I'd be cured, because alcoholism is a disease for which there is no cure. There is a solution, but there is no fix. I was trapped in a vicious cycle of hell. Even with my best friend calling me one Saturday morning to tell me to get help because I clearly had a problem, I refused despite the unbearable shame I felt. Alcoholics are selfish creatures. Yes, having a problem with alcohol meant I was an alcoholic. Even though I would NEVER have admitted it at the time. Then came June 5 last year. A hangover day much like any other, really. I sat on the sofa with my liver and brain pickled in equal measure, wrapped up in the blanket of shame, and something made me reach out for help. Ulrika Jonsson speaks out during Sober October about overcoming binge drinking I typed a message that read, quite simply: 'I can't do this any more' and sent it to a friend who was five years' sober. And that's how a life of sobriety saved my life and my sanity. There is every possibility I could have given up drinking by myself — my obstinance can be a virtue — but I wouldn't have been able to heal myself and reach the level of emotional sobriety I have today without the support of other ex-drunks and a programme to guide me. Saved my life It has saved my life in more ways than one. And, without sounding too evangelical about my journey, I've had a spiritual awakening and found an inner peace I never knew possible. I'm a different person to the Ulrika I was over a year ago. I've learnt more about myself in the past year than I did in my past 56 on this planet. Has it been easy? Nothing easily gained is ever worth having, I say. I've not had the temptation to pick up a drink, but alcohol is impossible to avoid — it's everywhere. What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups At the beginning, I would look lovingly at a glass of red wine when I went out for a Sunday roast. But knowing that a drink would not make things better, and it would never just be the ONE, stopped me from picking it up. I found Christmas difficult initially and, disconcertingly, Easter was even harder, with family around me drunk and laughing at things that just weren't funny. I had a couple of dates earlier this year, when I knew the social lubricant of alcohol would have calmed my nerves and allowed me to hide beneath a veil of intoxication. But at least I was able to be my authentic self — to be more discerning and accept that these men were just not for me. Sobriety comes with a hefty dose of honesty, which can be as welcome as it can be unwelcome. So, this journey goes on. It's not a destination. It will only end with my dying breath. I've yet to learn the exact damage my drinking might have inflicted on those around me. 7 7 I think of my children and how worried about me they were. How I must have scared them. How torn they must have been between wanting to say something and just hoping I would come to my senses. I have amends to make. I have character defects to accept and improve. I have to remember to live in the moment and that whether I'm one year or ten years' sober, for me it will continue to be one day at a time. I still have alcohol in the house. Removing it would make no difference to me. I believe if I really wanted a drink, I would go to buy it. I have no objections at all to others drinking around me but, by Christ, people can be annoying when drunk! At least it's not me doing the crazy stuff, dancing on the tables or doing things I will quickly forget or regret. Nor do I wake up with punishing hangovers and terrifying anxiety or even a new haircut because the rum thought it was a great idea to give myself a new look the night before. Beautiful things happen in sobriety. Good things come your way. Beautiful people come into your life, too. People without judgment who fundamentally care for you and understand you. That has been my greatest reward. Don't get me wrong, life has continued to throw me curveballs. I'm just better equipped to deal with them as a sober person. Sobriety comes with a hefty dose of honesty, which can be as welcome as it can be unwelcome I have a history of alcoholics in my family on my mother's side, but I don't have decades of alcohol abuse behind me. I didn't become addicted after the first sip of Pimm's at the age of 14 when I first got drunk. My drinking history is quite unremarkable. It didn't result in me losing my job, my marriage, my children or even my driving licence. I didn't get arrested or end up in jail. I wasn't a vomiting mess that couldn't get her kids ready for school in the morning. I wasn't a violent drunk. Which is why it might be helpful for anyone else out there to note that alcoholics come in all shapes and sizes and many live among us in plain sight. But the few years running up to my decision to quit, I was clearly drinking for the wrong reasons and I had no control over my cravings. I was a binge-drinker who drank to black out. Heavy shame A perfect storm of life led me to self-medicate, to soothe away life's ills and sharp edges; to quell my crippling anxiety by drinking neat rum from the neck of the bottle while kneeling into the cupboard underneath the stairs. There is nothing quite as 'sobering' as admitting to dropping to your knees at 11am and sticking your lips around a bottle of 40 per cent alcohol; feeling it swiftly burn your throat and immediately extinguish your anxiety, fears and self-loathing. Drinking was 'my thing'. It was a personal and private activity I had all to myself. I foolishly believed it was harmless because it didn't affect anyone else, so it was nothing anyone could take away from me. And I loved it. It made me feel instantly better and helped me cope with life. It killed my feelings of being overwhelmed; it relaxed me and made me a much nicer person. I thought . . . See, the one thing I had established by the time my drinking got completely out of hand was that I simply wasn't cut out for life. 7 7 7 I just couldn't cope. Everyone else seemed on top of everything while I was constantly swimming against the tide. I was forever traipsing through fields of molasses; perpetually found myself on the battlefield of life utterly unarmed. I was just no good at it. While I made no specific plan to end my life, my hope was eventually that alcohol would destroy me. I was a solitary drinker. But what might have started out as fun very quickly, and without fail, ended in blackout. I couldn't just have the one drink. What weirdo does that? I wasn't seeking light inebriation. I wanted the full anaesthetic effect. My self-esteem and self-worth were so bad, I believed the drink would make me become someone else. Or better still, nothing at all. I had such crippling anxiety about the present and future, which was coupled with past ordeals, that I was desperate for my feelings just to STOP. Because I didn't initially drink every day, and because my life looked impeccable from the outside, I convinced myself there wasn't a problem. I was still in control. However, I know now that those close to me saw a different picture. They heard my slurred voice on the phone; saw my drunk eyes betray me; worried about my volatile and highly strung demeanour and mood swings. They grew tired of repeating things to me that my blackouts had erased. It took months to rid myself of the heavy shame that drinking brought. Now, I realise I was really ill — both physically and spiritually — and that makes me go a bit easier on myself. In short, I'm grateful to my alcoholism for bringing me to where I am today: a life of honesty and integrity; of clarity and calm and being the person I never believed I could be. My name is Ulrika and I'm an alcoholic. And I have chosen life.
Globe and Mail
06-06-2025
- Globe and Mail
Advocates warn Ontario's bail reform could harm mothers seeking recovery
Alicia Gordon had battled addiction for more than 15 years before it brought her in direct conflict with the law. The First Nations mother from Northern Ontario was released on bail twice; first in 2019 for charges related to drinking and driving, and again in 2020 for possession of stolen property, respectively. After her second release, Ms. Gordon turned her life around. She got sober and had occasional visitation rights to her five and six-year-old children. 'I went to treatment, got accepted into university, things were really positive,' Ms. Gordon said. Then an unexpected breakup triggered a relapse. A third arrest in 2021 saw her pleading guilty to 16 of more than 30 charges, including possession of stolen property, several break and enters and failure to appear in court. After six weeks of incarceration, Ms. Gordon was granted a 'bail bed' through the John Howard Society of Thunder Bay, a supervised housing program that provides support for those needing to meet their bail conditions. Ms. Gordon has been sober ever since. She said the program was the lifeline that allowed her to finally get her life back on track for good. But Ms. Gordon worries others like her won't get the same chance if the Ontario government pushes through its package of bail reforms. The reforms, proposed on April 30, include more restrictive bail measures, dedicated prosecution teams for violent crime and GPS monitoring fees, which individuals would have to pay to get out on bail. The province has also urged the federal government to amend the Criminal Code to keep repeat and violent offenders 'off the streets.' Advocates warn that Ontario's proposed bail reforms could unintentionally harm women and mothers by removing the flexibility that has helped many, like Ms. Gordon, break the cycle of addiction and rebuild their lives. In Ms. Gordon's case, the judge reduced her sentence, allowing her to serve one year of probation in her community instead of going to jail. 'I worry about the other me's that might get stuck there and can't be everything they could be because they weren't given the same chance that I was,' Ms. Gordon said. 'Recovery is not linear and it takes so much effort to stabilize. It's a journey.' Today, she shares custody of her now 10- and 11-year-old children, who divide their time between her and the kinship caregivers who supported them during her legal troubles. 'All of that happened for me because I got bail,' Ms. Gordon said. 'And if I hadn't, I wouldn't be sitting at my job today. I wouldn't be enjoying my children. I would have been completely cut off.' Women's rights advocates say a one-size-fits-all approach to bail risks punishing vulnerable individuals rather than supporting their rehabilitation. According to a World Prison Brief report, in 2021 women made up seven per cent of the incarcerated population in Canada. In Ontario, mothers represented about 80 per cent of that subset, according to internal data from the council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario, which advocate for women in prison. Senator Kim Pate, who was formerly the group's president and has been a long-time advocate for incarcerated women, said Ontario's proposed reforms are 'outrageous fear-mongering' and pandering to growing worry about public safety. 'To suggest that judges, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law should be set aside for political reasons?' Ms. Pate said. 'I think it's incredibly irresponsible of the premier of the province.' Charlotte Carron, press secretary to the Attorney-General of Ontario, defended her government's proposed reforms, saying the changes do not remove a judge's discretion. 'Ultimately, the decision about whether to release or detain an accused person rests solely with the presiding judge or justice of the peace who hears the evidence and arguments made by the prosecutor,' she said in a statement. 'We continue calling on the federal government to do its part and make real changes.' Lindsay Martin, executive director of the Council of Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario, described the addiction-to-crime cycle as a 'revolving door' for caregivers involved in the justice system. Martin said mothers who end up in the criminal justice system because of substance use are often released on bail without housing and without their children. The risk of relapse is further perpetuated by prison transfers from one end of the province to the other, sometimes before trial. 'One thing the general public doesn't necessarily understand is that you can be incarcerated in Northern Ontario and transferred down to Southern Ontario,' Martin said. 'So the incarceration is going to further displace you from your family and your home. They're kind of just set up to fail.' Ms. Gordon, who was initially detained at the Thunder Bay Correctional Center in her hometown, said she was transferred more than a thousand kilometers away to a Sudbury district jail two days after receiving her second sentence. It wasn't until after that she was able to call to tell her family she had been moved to a Sudbury district jail. She said the communication while she was there was not easy: family members and friends had to put money aside to pay for calls, which Ms. Gordon said were expensive and would last 30 seconds. 'There's a real sense of hopelessness,' she said. 'Women become so defeated, it actually pushes them deeper into their addictions, and deeper into being in conflict with the law,' she said. 'They are at a loss because their children are so far removed from them.' Martin said displacing Indigenous mothers such as Ms. Gordon from their communities echoes Canada's history of residential schools. 'You see that very clearly and when families are displaced children go into the child welfare system. Those families are, again, for another generation, being ripped apart.' Ms. Gordon said its the children who often bear the weight of generational trauma that perpetuates a cycle of crime. 'You can imprison mothers, but you're imprisoning the children as well,' she said. 'They just don't have bars around them.'
Associated Press
01-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Sober.Buzz Launches $BUZZ Token to Unite Global Recovery Community
with its online presence rapidly growing is preparing to announce the public sales date for the $BUZZ token, a cryptocurrency created by individuals in recovery to build a global sober community that supports addiction recovery and mental health leveraging blockchain technology. United States, June 1, 2025 -- Launch Date Announcement of the $BUZZ Token Nearing in Conjunction With Another Significant Announcement AUSTIN, Texas — will be announcing the official launch date for the sale of its $BUZZ token, a cryptocurrency designed to foster a supportive global community for individuals in recovery from addiction on June 15, 2025. The token's official release date announcement marks a significant step in creating a platform that connects recovering addicts and their supporters, offering new ways to engage, encourage, and empower. Along with the announcement of the $BUZZ token sales date will have another significant announcement so stay tuned. The $BUZZ token represents more than a digital asset. It serves as a tool to break down stigma, create meaningful connections, and provide tangible support to those affected by addiction worldwide. By using blockchain technology, aims to establish a transparent and accessible platform centered on recovery and mental wellness. CEO Josh Case Shares Vision Behind $BUZZ Token Josh Case, CEO of and a recovering alcoholic and addict, highlighted the motivation behind the project. 'My own journey through addiction and recovery inspired me to create a platform that genuinely supports people struggling with similar challenges,' Case said. 'The $BUZZ token is a way to spread positivity, build community, and remind everyone that sobriety is a lifelong journey worth supporting.' Case emphasized that is committed to inclusivity and collaboration within the recovery space. 'We are not competitors but allies working toward a common goal—to help as many people as possible overcome addiction and build fulfilling lives. There will never be too many resources available to those struggling with addiction or those in recovery wanting a sense of community and purpose.' $BUZZ Token Offers Multiple Utilities to Strengthen Community The $BUZZ token is designed with practical uses to encourage community involvement. Token holders can gift $BUZZ as a symbol of encouragement and support, purchase branded merchandise promoting sobriety awareness, and obtain customized email handles to maintain community connections. Additionally, holders have voting rights to allocate funding to recovery-related charities and access exclusive recovery content such as podcasts, newsletters, and events. The community can also suggest new token applications to broaden its impact. These utilities aim to create a dynamic ecosystem that supports recovery efforts while leveraging blockchain's transparency and security. Recognition from Washington Psychiatric Society has been featured on the website of the Washington Psychiatric Society, a division of the American Psychiatric Association. This recognition underscores the project's alignment with mental health advocacy and its innovative approach to addiction recovery. Founder Josh Case Brings Extensive Leadership Experience Josh Case, originally from California, holds a BS in Geography and Business from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix along with taking leadership courses from University of California, Los Angeles. He has founded and led several companies in the energy, real estate, and technology sectors including Photosol US Renewable Energy and served as an executive for ENGIE North America. His personal recovery journey, including treatment at Cirque Lodge and Burning Tree Programs, inspires his commitment to He currently resides in Austin, Texas, with his fiancé and continues to serve on boards related to recovery including Hunkapi Programs and Energy Capital Group in renewable energy along with holding the CEO position at Sundance View Holding Company and RWA Infra Development. He also is a shareholder of the Oakland Ballers Triple A Pioneer League baseball team. The team also includes Heidi Case who leads content creation on Instagram and Cassie Wheat Uptmore who writes the column 'The Buzz with Cassie' published 2-3 times a week on Medium. Roadmap and Future Plans Since launching on April 24, 2025, has minted 10 billion $BUZZ tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, listed on Uniswap, and integrated with wallets such as Coinbase, MetaMask and Trust Wallet. The project maintains an active and rapidly growing social media presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and Telegram. Looking ahead, the team plans to finalize the whitepaper and roadmap, expand the community, and launch a fundraising campaign to grow the team and infrastructure. The $BUZZ token is expected to be available for purchase by the community in late 2025. About is a cryptocurrency initiative created by individuals in recovery to build a global sober community. The $BUZZ token serves as a foundation for promoting support, reducing stigma, and funding recovery-related charitable efforts leveraging blockchain technology. Media Contact Josh Case CEO, Email: [email protected] Contact Info: Name: Josh Case Email: Send Email Organization: Website: Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence. Release ID: 89161337 If you come across any problems, discrepancies, or concerns related to the content contained within this press release that necessitate action or if a press release requires takedown, we strongly encourage you to reach out without delay by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our committed team will be readily accessible round-the-clock to address your concerns within 8 hours and take appropriate actions to rectify identified issues or support with press release removals. 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