Medicinal cannabis prescribing practices under scrutiny
Medicinal cannabis access in Australia was hard won by high profile lobbyists seeking to help terminally and chronically ill patients as an option of last resort.
Now it's become big business with record numbers of scripts being written by doctors working for a growing number of telehealth companies.
A 7.30 investigation has found some are being pressured to prescribe.
National Health Reporter Elise Worthington and producer Emily Jane Smith have this exclusive report.
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News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Rod Butterss, daughter Ash open up on alcoholism battles
Former AFL club boss Rod Butterss and his daughter Ash both picked up a drink before they were teenagers, later facing devastating battles with alcoholism. But today, they share a different bond – beating addiction with each other's support. The ex-St Kilda Football Club president and his daughter, a holistic transformation coach, want to help others overcome barriers to tough conversations. The Melbourne duo have opened up about their roads to recovery for News Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign mental health awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank. Ash, 37, is now five years sober and hosts a podcast to reduce the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse. 'There are hard days but I have different tools now, and I know that a drink would never be a good option,' she said. She stays 'content and at peace' by practising and teaching yoga, meditation and breathwork. But she wonders if her journey would've been different had she been able to confide in her parents as a teenager. While she and her dad have spoken candidly on her podcast, Behind the Smile, it was a different story growing up. 'I felt isolated and disconnected, and I really struggled … at 13 I was cutting myself,' she said. 'I had an eating disorder, I was drinking and taking drugs as a way to self-medicate. 'I tried to talk to my parents at the time – and this wasn't their fault – but I think that they parented from a place of fear. 'If they had the tools to have conversations and not shy away from the difficulties … things could've turned out differently.' Ash, whose first marriage fell apart, is now planning her second wedding. But she fears her future children could inherit her demons. 'It's incredible that my dad and I have broken the chain … but it's even made me wonder whether or not I want to have children,' she said. 'This disease runs in my family and the likelihood of my child suffering with mental health and potentially addiction is very high.' Addiction has cost Rod, 66, businesses, marriages, relationships, and the top job at St Kilda Football Club. But after a headline-grabbing battle with booze, cocaine and gambling, the entrepreneur became sober in 2010, with one relapse in 2020. 'We've gotta talk about these things because too many families suffer in silence,' he said. He admits he was largely absent when she was young, but watching Ash's recovery had been 'pure joy'. 'Alcoholism makes you very selfish, and there were occasions where we could have some very deep and meaningful conversations but most of the time I was self-absorbed and busy,' he said. 'As a young father I would just reel off things like 'toughen up son' … so for me it's been about learning to have intimate conversations in a non-judgmental manner, where your job as a parent is to make the other person feel safe.' In fact, Ash said if he had tried to force her to seek help before she was ready, it would have backfired. 'He's been amazing,' she said. 'Dad never pushed me, he's just always been there to champion me in a very hands-off way.' Today, Rod immerses himself in writing poetry, reading, mediation, beach walks and journaling, and is surrounded by a strong recovery community. 'I thought to myself the other day: 'You going okay Rod? You know, you're happy. Life's pretty good',' he said. Psychiatrist and former Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry said research had found some people were genetically predisposed to alcohol dependence, but it was not a foregone conclusion. 'There's a lot of research showing a very strong genetic component for alcoholism and probably other forms of addiction as well,' he said. 'The actual mechanism underpinning that vulnerability is not well understood. If we knew that it would be easier to treat.' He said he would like to see the community view addiction in the same way as other mental health issues. 'With substance abuse, there's a tremendously judgmental attitude, and people say things like 'They made poor choices', or blame others for having an addiction,' he said. 'But addiction is just one type of mental health problem actually.'
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
Why fitness bros are embracing the ‘big butt' trend
We've all heard the joke – that 'glute days' were something straight men skipped, and even mocked. The focus was always on having big arms or a six-pack, because that's what women liked. But now, straight men around the world are no longer neglecting their backsides and are focusing on exercises to give them a 'shelf-like butt'. Fitness bros are now fighting to use the hip thrust machine and swapping chest presses for dead lifts. Meanwhile, thousands of men are flocking to pilates classes, which is only adding to the idea that they're more focused on their glutes than ever. And the fact that over 400 men in the U.S. had Brazilian butt lifts last year backs this up – pun intended. Even brands are embracing the trend, launching male butt-enhancing leggings, underwear, and chinos. 'It was once laughed at,' said fitness coach John Rusin to GQ. 'And now people are standing in line at commercial centres to use the hip thrust machine.' Social media feeds reflect this change, with male fitness influencers talking directly to their followers about how to grow their glutes. But why has this shift occurred, and what are the potential fitness benefits? Reason behind the shift Like with most fitness trends, there's no one single reason for the change. Some fitness buffs simply want to look good from all angles. For others, it's about how stronger glute muscles help power other exercises, from lifting to running. For some, like Sydney-based gym-goer Jake, 35, growing his glutes was all about helping his lower back issues. 'I knew that I needed to grow my glutes to strengthen my lower back area,' he told 'The bigger glutes I gained from my rehab exercises were never a priority, but a nice bonus.' Rusin says this isn't an uncommon story. Strong glutes are known to help you move better: protect the knees; support the hips; and reduce lower back pain. 'Whether you're a man or woman, you can't afford not to train them,' he explained. Another reason for the shift is that male aesthetic trends often follow queer trends, and gay men have long appreciated a good butt. And the GQ writer suggests that female preferences are changing too, with 81 per cent of women who date men saying they 'love a good man butt'. Gyms are catching onto this shift, with companies like F45 now adding more glute-focused training to their workouts. 'We're adding more unilateral movements like single-leg RDLs and split squats, as well as sled pushes and hip-dominant step-ups. This is becoming more popular,' a spokesperson for F45 told the outlet. Tide is turning Jake says he's embracing the trend and will keep prioritising lower-body training. But he notes there has long been a stigma around these types of exercises for guys in his fitness community. 'I think focusing on glutes specifically has always come with a bit of a giggle,' he said. 'There's this idea that no one wants to be thought of as the guy who wants a good booty. But if you're skipping leg day, you're missing out – and you'll be the guy on the beach in summer too afraid to wear budgie smugglers. 'Drop the ego and drop your third upper body day of the week.'
ABC News
14 hours ago
- ABC News
Mark Hughes: I'm constantly reminded how tough this disease is
The Beanies for Brain Cancer Round has become part of the NRL furniture with players, fans and commentators donning the beanies to raise money each year. The man behind it - former Knight Mark Hughes (32.37) - chatted to Andrew Moore and the team about how it continues to exceed his expectations. And while he's in good health he explained that his work with the Charity never lets him forget how hard it is to deal with the disease. Plus Michael Carayannis is along with all the latest Rugby League news - and speculation - in MC's Hammertime (44:33).
