Latest news with #DrDrewPinsky
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I knew despised Octomum who had 14 kids on benefits before turning to porn… one confession over the births shocked me
WHEN single mum Nadya Suleman giving birth to octuplets, in 2009, it made headlines across the world. But 'Octomom' Nadya went from miracle-maker to villain when it was revealed that she already had six children, lived on benefits and had had IVF to conceive her multiple pregnancies. 17 17 17 Her life turned into a circus freak show as she was vilified for her actions and even received death threats. Critics claimed she was an unfit mother, breeding 'a litter' of children to live off the state and some even called for her offspring to be adopted. And she faced further backlash when it emerged she had turned to porn to make ends meet and had become addicted to prescription drugs. Now 16 years on, a new documentary charts what happened to Octomom and her brood of 14. TV physician Dr Drew Pinsky - himself a father of triplets - visited Nadya's home on several occasions and says his mind was blown by how she coped. Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Dr Drew says: 'How good can you be when you have all of these kids? How do you create a firm attachment? "There is so much there. To the extent that the circumstances were out of the ordinary, she did an extraordinary job. I was always on Team Nadya. "I thought it was extraordinary what she was doing.' Nadya Suleman's octuplets were born by caesarean section at 31 weeks in LA - and miraculously were all healthy. News stations from across the world descended on the hospital, desperately trying to find out anything about the mum who wanted to stay anonymous. Octomom Nadya Suleman who turned to porn to make ends meet reveals she's turned her life around for her 14 kids TV reporter Dave Lopes from Channel 2 news popped into a cafe where a woman told him that Octomom already had six children at home. Dave recalls: 'Holy Moses, I almost spat out my coffee, do you mean to tell me that this woman now has 14 kids? "Once it was confirmed that she had six more at home, everybody was going 'wait a minute…..what is going on here?' It wasn't long before journalists tracked down 33-year-old unemployed single mum Nadya, who was receiving disability allowances and l ived with her parents in a cramped three bedroom house. 'Are we paying?' LA-based British entertainment journalist Caroline Feraday recalls: 'The public suddenly thought, 'hang on a minute, are we paying for this?'' Nadya soon became a target of ridicule and hate, but came out fighting for her reputation. Just ten days after giving birth she gave an interview to NBC where journalist Ann Curry quizzed her on allegations that she was irresponsible and selfish to bring the children into the world without a clear source of income and sufficient support to raise them. But Nadya claimed she was finishing her education to provide for the kids and loved her children unconditionally. Meanwhile other questions were being asked about where Nadya received fertility treatment that allowed her to conceive eight babies at once. All her life, only child Nadya had dreamed of being a mum. She suffered from endometriosis but in 1997, she met fertility specialist Dr Michael Kamrava who would help her become pregnant through IVF. 17 17 17 Her first child Elijah was born in 2001. She went back for treatment every year for the next five years giving birth to Amerah in 2002, Joshua in 2003, Aidan in 2005, followed by twins Calysah and Caleb in 2006. By 2008, Nadya had six children but returned to Dr Kamrava for more IVF treatment. The doctor told her she had frozen eggs left. She did not want them destroyed. In an unprecedented and reckless move, Dr Kamrava implanted 12 embryos into Nadya. Crisis manager Wendy Feldman says: 'The doctor who did that for his own experiment. That's a monster. You have to look at her as the victim of first the doctor, and then public opinion.' The doctor later claimed that he implanted the 12 embryos at Nadya's request, whereas she claimed she was unaware what was going on and was so sedated that she could not consent. Dr Drew Pinsky said he was stunned by the revelation. He told The Sun: 'I always thought - like the rest of the world - that the eight embryos was her idea. But she insisted that it was not, she was hoodwinked into that. "She was unhappy with it, but she was not going to reduce. She was going to accept her lot and raise these kids. It is overwhelming when I think about it.' But whether there was consent or not, the treatment raised huge ethical questions as there were too many embryos for the pregnancy to be considered safe. Nadya's fertility expert, Dr Michael Kamrava, had his licence revoked in 2011 for negligence in relation to Nadya and two other patients. And, in March, Nadya revealed her biggest regret was not suing him because she could have been awarded "millions" which "would have helped my family". But she added: 'I definitely regret that because his insurance would've been the one paying, and it would've been some millions, and it would've been helpful for my family. 'I regret that I kind of threw myself under the bus to cover for him, and I shouldn't have, but I was grateful. "I wouldn't have had any of my kids if it weren't for his innovative technique. No one else in the world did this type of procedure, so I didn't have it in my heart to sue him.' TV fame As Nadya prepared to bring her eight babies home, one burning question still remained unanswered - who is the daddy? Nadya claimed that one man was the father of all 14 children - but was not in their lives. 17 17 17 And when an emergency call made by Nadya a year previously, saying her son had gone missing, was released to the press, more and more people questioned her ability to look after her 14 kids. Despite having never met Nadya, celebrity psychiatrist Carole Lieberman wrote to Child Protective Services claiming Nadya was not stable enough psychologically to be a mother to six children, never mind 14. But Nadya's dad was firmly in her corner and vowed to help her stop anyone taking the children away. With his help she bought a four bed house for her and her 14 children. Such was the interest, when the babies were finally released from hospital, several weeks after their birth, Nadya needed a police escort to get them home. But she also needed cash. Companies weren't flocking to give Nadya and her children brand deals or freebies because she was notorious and disliked. So she agreed to give celebrity website Radar Online exclusive access to her home and her children. 17 17 17 Slammed by nannies Charity Angels in Waiting, which provides free nannies and childcare, offered her their support. But that didn't last as Nadya sacked the nannies, claiming they were spying on her. The fired nannies hit back, claiming she was an unfit mother, the house was chaotic, with no bedtime routine, no homework routine, and that Nadya would rather go shopping than spend time with her children. Dr Drew Pinsky and his TV show also made an incredible offer of help to Nadya - free childcare for a year and other services. But she declined. He believes that the backlash against Nadya and accusations that she had 14 children to sponge off the state made her determined not to accept any free help, but earn her own cash, however bizarre the means. Dr Drew explains: 'I had triplets so I was sympathetic to this, the idea of eight kids when I was a multiple parent, is just so overwhelming. "I know what multiples do to the mum in particular, in terms of how much they pull upon them, how much they need them, so I didn't understand how it was possible by herself. 'When I went over there, it was mind-boggling how she could deal with this and it didn't feel safe. It didn't make sense to me how this could be done safely. "And she kind of managed to do it. I was kind of frustrated with her and her unwillingness to take the services we were trying to set up for her. 17 17 "I still don't understand that, other than kind of a wilfulness and a pride that she wouldn't take anything from anybody, and yet she ended up making some dumb choices to try to get money. 'I think more than anything, she was concerned about how she was perceived by the world, but not as much as wanting to be a good mum. "That was her life. She was afraid that somebody would say that the system made it possible for her to survive, she didn't want to be seen as somebody taking from the system. "We were offering her free stuff, not from the system, but from a television show. But she wouldn't take it.' Determined Nadya decided to go it alone, with help from her parents and the church, and the cameras of Radar Online following her every move. Nothing was off limits and it created a backlash. Desperate means But things were soon to spiral out of control. In November 2011 the deal with Radar Online came to an end - and Nadya was heavily in debt and about to lose her home. She revealed her monthly outgoings were $10,000 and she was relying on food stamps and welfare to feed her 14 kids. Nadya was doing everything she could to make money - she had a garage sale, she sold pictures of herself for $10 a pop, she promoted beer, and even tried to become a celebrity boxer. She became increasingly desperate and eventually turned to porn - causing even more hate towards her. It worked and Nadya regained financial security - but she ended up in rehab for exhaustion and prescription drug abuse. Dr Drew says: 'The porn thing for me, I'm sure that was her rock bottom. I'm sure she didn't feel good about that, I am sure that was a bad choice. "I have seen people get manipulated into these things with the promise of money and freedom, and so they do it. Not a great choice.' Nadya disappeared from the public eye and concentrated on raising her children. But she came back into the public eye in March this year for a six part documentary - Confessions of Octomom. The 16-year-old octuplets could finally speak for themselves - and were full of praise for their mum. And Dr Drew is not surprised. 'But for the grace of God,' he says. 'It is not inconsistent with what I saw. I saw kids that were well cared for, well fed, the structure was extraordinary. "It was necessary for safety and survival - eat at a certain time, move at a certain time, sleep at a certain time, change diapers at a certain time. "The real concern I had, and I still have, is how do you get that secure attachment going with so many kids, and you are on your own? "There is a grandad who is in and out, but no real main male figure. With all those peripheral concerns, the outcome speaks for itself. And the kids all speak highly of Nadya. It worked.' Dr Drew is hoping to reconnect with Nadya one day, and says she proved the haters wrong. 17 17 17 'I would hug her,' he says. 'I would congratulate her for having survived this with everyone in one piece. I would like to know if she sees things differently than back then. "And I would also ask why did she do some of the stuff she did. And she would have an explanation. She was trying to survive, I get it. "And she was making decisions in an altered state - she was in survival mode for everyone. 'She is not how she has been portrayed. "She is a distinctly good person who was in some extraordinary circumstances, allegedly not of her own making, and I will take her at her own word. She is not a liar.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Dirty habit of 18 million Americans linked to 'significant' surge in psychotic episodes
Doctors nationwide are warning of a sharp rise in psychotic episodes tied to high-potency marijuana products, which are now far stronger than in decades past. Some marijuana vapes contain up to 98 percent THC, the chemical responsible for the drug's psychoactive effects, levels that experts say are driving a surge in mental health crises. Dr Drew Pinsky, an addiction specialist and TV personality, said Friday: 'The concentration of cannabis is so high… we are seeing a significant uptick in psychotic illness,' adding that cannabis 'makes people with psychotic illness much worse.' The warnings come as marijuana legalization continues to expand. Recreational use is now legal in 24 states and Washington, DC, creating a $20 billion industry, and a black market, flooded with ultra-potent products in the form of edibles, dabs, oils, and vapes. Doctors and researchers have said that these products are fueling a public health crisis that is still unfolding. 'We've seen the marked incidence of trouble, mostly caused by the high potency of cannabis,' Dr Drew said. 'So now we are seeing people who are unable to function, they have difficulty at work, psychotic episodes, mood disturbances, and severe addiction.' Polling from 2023 suggests nearly 44 million Americans use marijuana, with 18 million consuming it daily or near daily. Many seek it out to ease anxiety or depression. But growing research shows high doses of THC may do just the opposite, disrupting mood, distorting reality, and triggering temporary or even prolonged psychosis. The issue is especially concerning in young adults, whose brains are still developing. Regular use of potent cannabis in adolescence has been linked to long-term changes in brain structure, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control. This is also the age when many psychotic disorders first appear. Emerging data suggest the link is more than just a coincidence. THC may trigger schizophrenia or psychotic episodes in individuals with genetic predispositions. A 2022 review by University of Bath researchers, which analyzed 20 studies involving 120,000 people, found users of high-potency cannabis were four times more likely to develop addiction and three to five times more likely to suffer a psychotic break compared to those using lower-potency strains. Earlier this year, a report in JAMA Network Open found that, emergency room visits in Ontario, Canada, linked to schizophrenia in marijuana users tripled after legalization. Between 2006 and 2022, the rate of schizophrenia among those with cannabis use disorder climbed from four percent to over 10 percent. In contrast, just 0.6 percent of non-users developed the condition. Doctors across the US have echoed the concerns raised by Dr Drew since the wave of state-level legalization began about 15 years ago. What was once considered a mellow, low-risk drug is now being reexamined in light of products that bear little resemblance to the marijuana of past generations. Between 1995 and 2022, THC levels in cannabis seized by law enforcement quadrupled, from 3.96 percent to 16.14 percent, while modern concentrates can exceed 90 percent. Despite the public perception of marijuana as a natural remedy for anxiety or depression, the evidence is mounting that today's potent products come with serious psychological risks. Millions who turn to marijuana for relief may be unaware of its potential to cause temporary psychosis lasting hours, days, or even months. And while marijuana may not lead to physical dependence like opioids or alcohol, experts say the psychological grip can be just as damaging. As legalization spreads and access grows, the consequences are becoming harder to ignore. With each new study, the case against high-potency marijuana, and its role in rising mental health issues, continues to build. In 2023, the journal Psychological Medicine published the largest epidemiological investigation to date that focused exclusively on the link between cannabis use and schizophrenia. Researchers analyzed Danish health records from 1972 to 2021, spanning 6.9 million individuals, which revealed that 30 percent of schizophrenia cases in men aged 21 to 30 (roughly 3,000 diagnoses) could have been avoided if they had not developed cannabis use disorder. When researchers broadened their analysis to include a wider age group (ages 16 to 49, instead of just 21 to 30), the estimated impact of cannabis use disorder on schizophrenia risk decreased to 15 percent. Carsten Hjorthøj, the study's lead author and an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, told Scientific American: 'We found that the proportion of cases of schizophrenia that were attributable to cannabis use disorder, and those that might have been prevented, was much higher in males than females and, in particular, younger males in whom the brain is still maturing. 'And we saw that this increase was taking place over time, completely in parallel with the increasing potency of cannabis.' The brain adapts to frequent THC exposure by dialing down its natural cannabinoid production, which helps regulate both mood and appetite. Chronic use teaches the brain to rely on external THC instead of making its own neurotransmitters, a process called neuroadaptation. It can take weeks or months for this balance to reset, which can trigger irritability, insomnia, or cravings. For heavy users, these withdrawal symptoms are distressing enough that some clinics prescribe medications like gabapentin to ease the transition.
Fox News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Kennedy Saves The 4th of July: Live From Langan's
Happy Hour hits the road this week, and Kennedy is taking you to her favorite spot in New York City, Langan's! To celebrate her favorite holiday, the Fourth of July, Kennedalia is joined by some of her favorite people: FOX Across America and FOX News Saturday Night's Jimmy Failla, Good Day New York's Rosanna Scotto, Emily Compagno, host of the FOX True Crime Podcast, and addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky! Each guest is treated to a specialty cocktail from Langan's, and Kennedy leaves no stone unturned as they discuss their favorite 4th of July traditions. Follow Kennedy on Twitter: @KennedyNation Kennedy Now Available on YouTube: Follow on TikTok: Join Kennedy for Happy Hour on Fridays! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Entrepreneur
19-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How to Scale a Startup Without Sacrificing Your Family Life
On this episode of Entrepreneur Therapy, Dr. Drew Pinsky and Kim Perell meet with a founder whose company is growing fast, but so is the pressure at home. Many entrepreneurs hit a point where they reach the same hard question: I'm growing my business, but am I losing myself and what matters to me in the process? For Alok Ahuja, CEO and co-founder of Trexity, a delivery and courier service, business is booming, and he's thinking about expansion. But with that growth has come a quieter, more personal struggle. "I am addicted to building, and I know sometimes that takes a toll on family," Ahuja admits. That's where Entrepreneur Therapy, presented by Amazon Business, comes in. On this week's episode, Ahuja comes into the session with specific questions for renowned health expert Dr. Drew Pinsky and veteran investor Kim Perell. He wants to know more about scaling Trexity into new U.S. markets. But he also confesses that he's hoping for a little more than just tactical tips. Related: 6 Hidden Costs of Scaling Your Business Too Quickly "I'm more looking not just for support, but for a little bit of validation. I always kind of second-guess it. Are we doing the right thing?" he says. Perell tackles the scaling issue first, advising Ahuja to start small in a market where success is likely and focus on truly owning that space. "Don't try to cover the entire U.S.," she says. "You need drivers and couriers in each local market." She recommends either partnering with someone who knows that region or hiring "an experienced executive who can act as the GM of that market." Dr. Drew then redirects the conversation to something deeper, flagging Ahuja's use of the word "addicted." "I think it's a common thing in people with entrepreneurship," Dr. Drew says, warning that "there will be consequences from allowing that to go unchecked. And in my experience, typically, it's your family." Dr. Drew encourages Ahuja to be proactive about checking in with his family, rather than assuming everything is fine. "You really have to pay attention and ask," he says. "I'm working hard here—am I around enough?" Related: The 10 Types Of Workaholics: How To Spot Your Type, Understand What's Driving You, And What To Do About It Watch the episode to learn more about Ahuja's challenges and the advice Dr. Drew and Perrell give to build smarter while staying grounded at home. Entrepreneur Therapy is presented by Amazon Business. Smart business buying starts with Amazon Business. Learn more.
Entrepreneur
17-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Support Systems Every Startup Founder Needs
Dr. Drew Pinsky and serial investor Kim Perell explain why building a business isn't just about funding—it's about having the right 'people pillars.' Stephanie Bastow, CEO of Active Beauty, prides herself on her drive and determination to build something from the ground up. But as her wellness brand gains traction, the weight of doing it all herself is getting harder to bear. "Sometimes I'm holding my breath, and sometimes I'm breathing," she says. Her company's hero product, B. Skin Tight, is a multifunctional formula designed to support skin, hydration, recovery, and brain function. She's on shelves and seeing sell-through, but she's reached a critical point in her journey: preparing for a potential Series A raise without the marketing resources to show off what the product can really do. Related: 7 Marketing Strategies to Help Your Startup Grow and Scale Stephanie came to Entrepreneur Therapy, presented by Amazon Business, for advice from both investor Kim Perell and health expert Dr. Drew Pinsky. What she got was a lesson in the power of community. It didn't take long for her advisors to spot the problem. Stephanie is over-extending herself. She's the entire marketing team: hosting podcasts, training stores, attending events, and trying to engage with investors. She admits her only real support system is her husband. Both Dr. Drew and Perell cautioned against mixing her personal and professional lives. Dr. Drew said that relying solely on her husband for emotional support can backfire badly. "As soon as you tell us you're in distress, we want to fix it," he said. "And that is not what you really need right now." Related: You Won't Achieve a Work-Life Balance Without Doing These 10 Things Instead, he encouraged her to mind a mentor or two. "You need support. You need a peer group," he said. Kim Perell backs that up with her own story. "I tried to do everything alone," she says. "And it was a big mistake." She explains how she created four "people pillars"—her husband, a peer group, a mentor, and a trusted team. "I feel that you have one of these four pillars with your husband, but you're falling over on the other three." Stephanie leaves the session feeling seen. "I felt like they really spent the time, went the deep dive and tried to understand," she says. Watch the episode to hear how Stephanie's session helped her rethink what real support looks like—and how building the right foundation could be the most important part of building her brand. Entrepreneur Therapy is presented by Amazon Business. Smart business buying starts with Amazon Business. Learn more. Related: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Support Network — and How to Know When You've Truly Found Yours
