Latest news with #AlcoholicsAnonymous
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Kent recovering alcoholic urges others to 'try and get help'
William Fleming says his drinking and drug use was once "so out of control" - but now he's eight months clean and is encouraging others to seek said he lost his job a decade ago and found himself homeless as a result of his told the BBC he is currently being supported in his recovery by the Kenward Trust, a Kent-based alcohol and drug misuse during alcohol awareness week, Mr Fleming said: "If you're hiding [drinking] then you know that you need helping". "You need to reach out to organisations like [Alcoholics Anonymous] and try and get your support and try and get help with your drinking," he added. Support and information for anyone affected by these issues can be found at BBC Action Line. The 53-year-old told the BBC he drank whiskey and beer to "block things out" after traumatic experiences earlier in his life."Alcohol was like a big crutch for me and basically it got so out of control that I could not even work," he Mr Fleming said, he felt he had to keep drinking to avoid shakes and seizures and ultimately ended up living on the said: "After a year and a bit I had a caseworker who helped me to go into a hostel."But I was still fighting my demons, fighting my drink, fighting my alcohol."When I got into the hostel it was not a good environment because there was so many people in there drinking and using drugs that it was all around me 24 hours a day."Mr Fleming added he now feels "so, so good" about being eight months sober."I just, I've got the freedom, I've got the love, I've got the support back in my family, and I just feel that, with this rehab, it was a lifesaver," he said. 'That's it, it's got you' Another recovering alcoholic, who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity, said her addiction began during the Covid-19 pandemic."We were doing home schooling, my husband at the time was out to work, and it just became everyone contacting each other saying 'time for wine'," she said."It just goes from that to something a bit more - one glass, two glasses - and then the stress escalated and it turns into bottles."She added: "After an amount of time you can't stop the shakes, feeling really ill, so you top yourself up to stop that happening and that's it, it's got you." Penny Williams, chief executive of Kenward Trust, said the charity's alcohol awareness week campaign was "about helping people spot those early, silent signs and know they're not alone, help is here, and recovery is possible".
Time Business News
11-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
12 Steps, Many Paths: Modern Alternatives to Traditional Recovery
Introduction The 12-step program, popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous in 1939, has long stood as the gold standard in addiction recovery. Rooted in spiritual awakening and communal accountability, it has offered solace to millions. Yet, as society becomes more diverse and clinical understandings of addiction deepen, many are turning to alternative paradigms. Recovery is no longer a monolithic journey. It is a mosaic—individualized, evolving, and replete with varied routes toward wholeness. In today's landscape of mental health and addiction recovery, combining medications requires careful consideration. One such example is the use of Suboxone and Adderall, which can present both therapeutic benefits and potential complications. Suboxone is commonly prescribed to manage opioid dependence, while Adderall is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When used together, these medications can interact in complex ways, affecting mood, energy levels, and overall treatment outcomes. Medical supervision is essential to ensure safety, minimize risks, and monitor effectiveness. Personalized treatment plans can help patients achieve stability and maintain progress in both recovery and mental health. Limitations of the Traditional 12-Step Framework For all its historic success, the 12-step model is not universally resonant. Its core principle of surrendering to a higher power, though comforting to some, alienates others who seek a secular or scientific approach. Spiritual overtones can feel dogmatic, particularly to those from non-religious or marginalized spiritual backgrounds. The prescriptive nature of the program—twelve linear steps applied to diverse life stories—can feel inflexible. It presumes uniformity where variance exists. Moreover, the emphasis on powerlessness, while intended as a means to humility, may undermine self-efficacy for individuals in need of empowerment over submission. Accessibility also remains a barrier. Meetings may not align with the cultural, gender, or linguistic needs of all participants, limiting its reach in a pluralistic society. Secular Recovery Programs: Rational and Evidence-Based Models Modern recovery increasingly gravitates toward secular, empirically grounded models. SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) epitomizes this shift. Grounded in cognitive-behavioral science, it rejects the notion of powerlessness, advocating instead for self-directed change. Through disputing irrational beliefs and cultivating resilience, participants learn to regulate their impulses and reshape thought patterns. LifeRing Secular Recovery offers an abstinence-based but spiritually neutral space. Meetings are conversational rather than didactic, focused on building what it calls the 'Sober Self.' Its ethos promotes mutual respect and individual sovereignty. Such models attract those who value critical thinking, personal agency, and evidence over faith. They are neither superior nor inferior to 12-step—they simply serve a different psychological and philosophical temperament. Therapeutic and Clinical Modalities Professional treatment models have expanded dramatically. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) target the underlying mechanisms of addiction—maladaptive thinking and emotional dysregulation. Unlike peer-led groups, these are facilitated by clinicians trained in psychological science. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has also become a cornerstone in treating substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction. Drugs like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone help manage cravings and reduce relapse risk. Though controversial in abstinence-only circles, MAT is validated by substantial empirical support. Moreover, integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders—such as depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder—recognizes that substance use is often a symptom of deeper psychic wounds. Addressing addiction without exploring the mental terrain beneath it is a Sisyphean task. Holistic and Mind-Body Healing Pathways The resurgence of holistic modalities signals a broader cultural embrace of integrative healing. Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) merges Buddhist principles with clinical rigor, helping individuals cultivate present-moment awareness and compassion for their triggers. Yoga and breathwork reintroduce the body into recovery. These somatic practices anchor individuals in sensation, helping to process trauma and reduce autonomic hyperarousal. Many find that healing is not merely intellectual or emotional—it is cellular. Nature therapy, eco-sobriety retreats, and even psychedelic-assisted therapies (in clinical settings) are expanding the palette of recovery. These modalities invite a reconnection not just to self, but to the sacred ecology of existence. Technology-Driven Recovery Avenues In the digital age, recovery has leapt from meeting halls into the cloud. Smartphone apps offer daily affirmations, habit trackers, and virtual sponsor access. Platforms like I Am Sober, Loosid, and Sober Grid foster online communities, breaking geographic barriers. Teletherapy and online recovery groups have proven vital, especially during the pandemic. The anonymity, convenience, and diversity of digital resources make them particularly appealing to introverts, rural populations, and those with mobility limitations. Emerging technologies now use artificial intelligence to predict relapse risk based on mood inputs and behavioral data. These tools, while not replacements for human connection, add a layer of real-time support that was previously unthinkable. Culturally-Responsive and Community-Based Models Healing must be contextualized. Indigenous recovery frameworks center on ceremony, storytelling, and ancestral wisdom. Sweat lodges, talking circles, and plant medicine rituals have helped communities reclaim sobriety and spiritual agency after generations of colonial disruption. LGBTQ+-affirming programs recognize the specific traumas faced by queer and trans individuals. These spaces do not just tolerate diversity—they are constructed around it, addressing minority stress, identity formation, and chosen family dynamics. Spiritual, but not necessarily religious, recovery centers offer metaphysical nourishment without theological constraints. They embrace pluralism—welcoming all seekers, skeptics, and souls in flux. Understanding pill identification is crucial for safe medication use. The 970 orange pill is commonly known as Tizanidine 4 mg, a muscle relaxant prescribed to relieve muscle spasms caused by conditions such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. Its orange color and '970' imprint help distinguish it from other medications. Tizanidine works by blocking nerve impulses and reducing muscle tone, offering relief from tight or rigid muscles. However, it can cause drowsiness or low blood pressure, so it's important to follow dosing instructions carefully. Patients should always confirm pill identity with a pharmacist to avoid potential medication errors. Conclusion Recovery is not a doctrine. It is a dynamic, living process—a kaleidoscope of paths converging on a shared destination: liberation. While the 12-step tradition remains a vital cornerstone, it is no longer the sole edifice. Modern alternatives, from neuroscience-informed therapies to soul-centric rituals, expand the lexicon of healing. Each path, whether secular or sacred, clinical or communal, offers a beacon to those navigating the labyrinth of addiction. In honoring this diversity, we build a recovery culture rooted in empathy, innovation, and unyielding hope. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brad Pitt Opens Up About His First AA Meeting After Angelina Jolie Divorce: 'I Needed Rebooting'
Brad Pitt has opened up about his journey to sobriety, explaining how his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting led him to work on his drinking problem. The "Fight Club" star's drinking problem is understood to have contributed to his split from Angelina Jolie, following a 2016 airplane incident where he allegedly hit her and one of their child. Brad Pitt has since moved on with girlfriend Ines de Ramon, and has also finalized his divorce from Angelina Jolie. Pitt recounted what transpired during his first AA meeting as he began his journey to sobriety. During Monday's episode of the "Armchair Expert" podcast, the 61-year-old actor detailed how it was an "amazing" experience that got him "pretty much on [his] knees" and needing "to wake the f-ck up in some areas." "I was trying anything and everything, anything anyone threw at me. … It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting," Pitt explained, per Page Six. Alcoholics Anonymous is usually held in a safe and private space where members sit in a circle and take turns to pour their hearts out as part of efforts to quit drinking. While on the podcast show, Pitt admitted that it felt daunting as his turn to speak during the AA meeting drew near, but he felt inspired after watching "everyone [being] so open." "It gives you permission to go, 'OK, I'm gonna step out on this edge and see what happens.' And then I really grew to love it," he explained. Pitt has previously hinted at his struggles with alcohol, telling the New York Times that he went for a year and a half following his 2016 divorce from Angelina Jolie. Elsewhere during their conversation on the "Armchair Expert" podcast, host Dax Shepard praised the "F1" star for being "so f-cking honest" at the time. This prompted Pitt to return the favor, noting that witnessing Shepard's own honesty "meant a lot to" him. "Dax was usually near the end because he's been there awhile," Pitt said, comparing the former "Punk'd" prankster to "an elder statesman" who injected "humor" into his wisdom. He called the AA meeting "a really special experience coming from the Ozarks," where he grew up hearing men insist that "everything is great." "I just thought it was incredible, men sharing their experiences with their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it," he added. Pitt's struggle with the bottle came after a "difficult" split from ex-wife Angelina Jolie following a 2016 private jet incident where he allegedly assaulted her. In court documents filed at the time, the "Maleficent" actress alleged that the actor "choked one of the children and struck another in the face" and "grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her," per Page Six. "At one point, he poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children," the documents also read, adding that Jolie tried to de-escalate the situation and "grabbed" him from behind to stop him. "To get Jolie off his back, Pitt threw himself backward into the airplane's seats, injuring Jolie's back and elbow," the documents allege. "The children rushed in and all bravely tried to protect each other. Before it was over, Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face. Some of the children pleaded with Pitt to stop. They were all frightened. Many were crying," the statement claimed. Pitt and Jolie were both declared legally single in 2019 and settled their divorce last year 2024. During the premiere of his "F1" movie in Mexico City, Pitt shared a thoughtful message about the importance of learning from one's mistakes. "No matter the mistake, you know, you just learn from [it] and move on," the actor told Entertainment Tonight. "It'll lead to the next success." Pitt had issued the response after he was asked about what had helped him "feel grounded" amid the challenges and achievements in his life. And while he gave no details about some of the mistakes he has made in his own life, the actor hinted that family was also part of what has helped him navigate these moments. "At my age, I see how important it is to surround yourself with the people you know, the people you love, the people that love you back," the 61-year-old shared further. "Friends, family, and that's it. From there, we get to go make things. It's a pretty simple, I think, equation." Pitt has since moved on with girlfriend Ines de Ramon, who was by his side last week as he attended the New York City premiere of his new movie "F1." Coincidentally, Jolie was also in New York during that period, prompting a source to accuse her of "haunting" her ex-husband. "Angelina said she was going to move to New York two years ago, but didn't quite get the glowing reception she thought she deserved, so she went back to LA," a Hollywood insider told News Nation. "It's just insane that Angelina would show up in the city the same week of Brad's premiere," the insider added. "She just can't stand for him to get any good press. It's like she's haunting him."
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘Drunk' United Airlines pilot was forced into rehab for alcoholism. He actually had a concussion, lawsuit claims
A senior United Airlines pilot who was disoriented and slurring his speech following a severe head injury claims he was instead accused of being an alcoholic, forced into inpatient rehab and threatened with grounding unless he admitted to an allegedly nonexistent addiction. When Capt. Michael Tallon denied he had troubles with alcohol, he was informed by higher-ups that 'if he did not confess to having a drinking problem, he would 'never fly a United plane again,'' according to a bombshell federal lawsuit obtained by The Independent. Once he begrudgingly checked into residential treatment, Tallon, 56, was 'subjected to repetitive and intrusive group therapies focused exclusively on alcohol use, abuse and dependence,' his complaint states, adding, 'None of these were appropriate given [Tallon's] actual medical condition – a head injury.' After his release, the complaint says Tallon showed up dutifully for daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and blew into a breathalyzer twice a day, among other things, in order to comply with United's demands. Upon presenting a second opinion from his personal physician who reported finding no evidence at all of any substance use disorder, United sent Tallon to a psychologist to deal with his 'denial' issues, according to the complaint. United, Tallon's complaint alleges, 'failed to provide reasonable accommodations for [Tallon's] actual condition – post-concussion syndrome – while simultaneously subjecting him to burdensome and discriminatory treatment requirements for a condition he did not have.' Nearly two years later, Tallon was fired for refusing to keep up the charade, according to the complaint. 'I can't believe it, still,' Tallon told The Independent. '... If I thought I had cancer but five doctors told me I didn't, would you fire me for refusing chemotherapy?' Tallon, a ' check airman ' who trained and evaluated pilots flying United's 737 fleet, had nearly three decades of experience and was earning more than $400,000 when he was terminated. He said he has never been a big drinker, that everyone he worked with knew he might go out for 'a beer or two, and that's it.' 'I didn't want to sue anybody, I just wanted to go back to work,' Tallon said. 'Finally, I just had enough. I decided to stand up. I can't admit to something I'm not, just to get my paycheck.' Attorney Mike Lueder, who is representing Tallon in his suit against United, described what happened to his client as 'draconian.' 'If you're not someone who is actually in recovery, to have to sit there and go through an AA program, or inpatient treatment, or have a peer pilot looking over your shoulder, it's Kafkaesque,' Lueder told The Independent. 'It's craziness.' In an email on Tuesday, a United Airlines spokesperson said, 'Since this is an ongoing legal matter, we won't have anything to share.' Tallon's saga began on June 10, 2023, while on a layover in the Azores in the mid-Atlantic, according to his complaint. 'He tripped on an uneven cobblestone walk and fell to the ground, sustaining visible facial lacerations and concussion symptoms,' it states. 'Following the fall, [Tallon's co-pilot] observed [his] deteriorating speech and confusion. [Tallon] returned to his hotel room to rest, but his head injury worsened.' Tallon 'became concerned that he would not be safe to fly the next day,' and called a United manager to remove himself from the schedule, the complaint goes on. It says the United manager then called Tallon's co-pilot and asked if Tallon had been drunk at the time of his fall. The co-pilot said no, that Tallon 'was not intoxicated but might have a concussion,' according to the complaint. Tallon told The Independent that he told the United manager he'd had a drink with his dinner, which apparently set off alarm bells. 'Despite clear and reported signs of head trauma, the United manager failed to provide or suggest that [Tallon] seek immediate medical attention, at one of the three local English-speaking Emergency Care providers, as required by United's own procedures for crew member injuries while on duty or on layovers,' the complaint continues. At this point, a 'distracted and confused' Tallon called his wife and asked her to let him speak with his mother, the complaint says. She immediately knew something was wrong, as Tallon's mom had died some 20 years earlier, the complaint explains. Tallon also spoke with his union rep from the Air Line Pilots Association, who was also the chair of the steering committee for United's substance-abuse recovery program. In what the complaint calls Tallon's 'concussed fog,' he told the union rep that 'he needed help with his drinking in response to her leading questions on the topic,' the complaint states, noting that Tallon 'does not have a complete recollection of this conversation.' Tallon flew home to the U.S. the next day as a passenger on the flight he was originally supposed to pilot, according to the complaint. It says that while the plane was in the air, Tallon's union rep arranged – 'without [Tallon's] knowledge or permission' – for him to attend inpatient alcohol treatment. When Tallon landed, he got a call from United and association officials, who 'immediately pressured him to admit to alcoholism,' the complaint states. Shocked, Tallon denied he had a problem with alcohol, the complaint continues. However, it contends, the rep informed Tallon that if he didn't admit he was an alcoholic and go to rehab, he would lose his job. In the meantime, Tallon challenged United's assessment and met with a physician working for the carrier, who tested him for drugs and alcohol as part of a fitness-for-duty evaluation, the complaint states. Tallon came up clean, it maintains. Nevertheless, United's doctor issued a report saying 'he believed [Tallon] was alcohol dependent,' the complaint alleges. But, this was merely an 'opinion,' not an actual diagnosis, according to the complaint, which claims the doctor ignored, among other things, Tallon's lab results, professional evaluations, and, most importantly, his untreated head injury. So, Tallon decided to seek out a second doctor, as is his right under the union's contract with United, the complaint says. Yet, this prompted a warning from an association lawyer, who told Tallon that doing so would 'be an insult' to the United doctor, and 'would suggest 'denial,'' the complaint asserts. On August 28, 2023, Tallon was sent to a recovery center in Connecticut, where clinicians puzzled over his lack of an actual diagnosis, the complaint states. A little less than a month later, United and association officials pressured Tallon to sign himself up for ' HIMS,' or, 'Human Intervention Motivation Study,' which is the aviation industry's standard substance-abuse recovery program, according to the complaint. 'Under coercion and duress, Plaintiff signed the HIMS contract on September 21, 2023,' the complaint says. The Air Line Pilots Association did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent. Four days later, the recovery center discharged Tallon with a finding of 'no diagnosis,' according to the complaint. Tallon went to see his primary care physician, who was 'shocked' he hadn't yet been given a full head trauma evaluation for his fall and found no indication of alcoholism, the complaint states. Tallon continued to protest United's insistence that he was an alcoholic, telling his bosses that having to pretend to have a drinking problem in order to stay employed was 'not appropriate,' the complaint states. Yet, United's Employee Assistance Program rep let Tallon know, in no uncertain terms, 'If I hear you say one more time that you are NOT in recovery, you will be out of compliance with the program,' the complaint alleges. So, Tallon completed 90 consecutive days of an intensive outpatient program, according to the complaint. There, Tallon's therapist joined the chorus of other professionals who did not view Tallon as an alcoholic. Tallon's AA sponsor also agreed that Tallon didn't have a drinking problem, the complaint says. In early 2024, Tallon began an aftercare program at the Connecticut rehab, where, after five months of treatment, yet another counselor said he didn't see any signs of alcoholism or a history of hard drinking, according to the complaint. Still, a physician under contract to United as an Air Medical Examiner demanded Tallon now undergo neuropsychological testing for alcoholism, the complaint states. The doctor performing the test told Tallon that she was confused, as, 'You have not been diagnosed with anything,' according to the complaint. It says the doctor then cut short the session, and sent Tallon home. This, according to the complaint, led United's Air Medical Examiner to insist Tallon see a psychologist for 'treatment of 'anxiety and denial of (alleged) alcoholism,'' the complaint states. But, it contends, the psychologist saw no signs that Tallon was an alcoholic, and said so in an April 2024 report. Regardless, United demanded Tallon reschedule the neurocognitive test, according to the complaint. This time, Tallon refused. 'He had sent reams of information to United confirming that he was not alcoholic and was finished with the nonsense,' the complaint states. In February 2025, after a hearing, United fired Tallon 'because he allegedly would not comply with the HIMS program,' according to the complaint. 'It's a sh***y system,' Lueder told The Independent, 'and I hope to help change it.' Tallon is now seeking compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, and reputational harm, punitive damages and an injunction forcing United to rework the HIMS program, plus attorneys' fees and court costs. 'I have no other choice but to look back and laugh,' Tallon said on Tuesday. 'But here I am, and I'm moving on with my life.'
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Jax Taylor 'has no interest in drink or drugs'
Jax Taylor "will not touch drugs and alcohol again". The 45-year-old reality TV star has undergone treatment for his addictions, and Jax is now confident that he won't return to taking drugs or drinking ever again. Speaking on the We're Out of Time podcast, Jax shared: "I know for a fact — and I know you're not supposed to say it — but I know for a fact I will not touch drugs and alcohol again. "I know that. I have no interest in it. I'm not triggered by it." Jax now looks back on his addictions with lots of regrets. The former Vanderpump Rules star explained: "Now I can look back and say, 'What the f*** was I doing? Why didn't I stop this years ago?'" Jax also intends to continue attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. He said: "I'm going to always work on it … I want to make it very clear, I'm not going to ever stop going to AA for the rest of my life. I love it. It's like a drug to me. "I love going and meeting the guys. My sober friends, I've shifted from my drunk friends, now I have a sober group of friends. We have a great time. We go out to dinner." Jax previously admitted that he's been battling a cocaine addiction for more than 20 years. The TV star - who split from his wife Britanny Cartwright in 2024 - said on the Hot Mic podcast: "I have substance issues - primarily with cocaine. It's hard to say out loud. I've been dealing with this on and off since I was 23 and now I'm 45. "There was times where I would stop doing it but then there were times where I'd go heavy on it. "I just want to let people know this is a really, really tough disease and it's a really tough sickness." Brittany subsequently claimed that she spent years trying to help Jax to "get better". She said on the When Reality Hits podcast: "No one wants Jax to be better more than I do, let's be real. "I tried and tried and tried for years to help this man get better and for us to be a happy family, I was deeply and madly in love with him, there's no one that can ever deny that."
