New research shows that U.S. alcohol use has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, but drinking remains above pre-pandemic levels — with one particular group showing a sharp increase in heavy intake. A study led by the University of Southern California/Keck Medicine found that among adults ages 50 to 64, alcohol use … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a retired executive chef, divorced for many years with three adult children. My son was also an executive chef, but no longer. He is a mean alcoholic. He stays drunk when not at his job, and he says cruel and nasty things to all family members. His older sister has written … Read more
Before his tragic death at 27, model Presley Gerber turned to a powerful psychedelic drug in a desperate bid to “rewire” his brain. The son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, and brother of model Kaia Gerber, died Sunday, Sept. 20, at a rehab facility in California. His exact cause and manner of … Read more
A clip from Ed Sheeran’s appearance on “The Louis Theroux Podcast” has recently resurfaced on social media, sparking renewed debate over differences between British and American attitudes toward alcohol. “Americans call something ‘alcoholism’ that Brits simply call ‘culture.’ Maybe one or two pints at the end of a workday,” the singer said during the 2025 … Read more
The death of Joanna Ruth Shields, the 37-year-old woman who was found along a remote Big Sur hiking trail in April, has cast a spotlight on a little-known but deadly affliction: alcohol withdrawal syndrome. According to an investigation by the the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the Carlsbad native had died of “probable alcohol withdrawal seizures … Read more
It’s a bitter sip. “Wine mom” culture celebrates alcohol as both a requirement and a reward for the maternal workload, with infinite cheeky memes and products boasting, “The most expensive part of having kids is all the wine you have to drink.” But for some, such lighthearted messages and merchandise — think “mommy juice” wine … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My 32-year-old son has an alcohol problem. He and his wife refuse to accept reality and continue to be social drinkers. My son deals with his problem by putting his head in the sand. He refuses to talk to us or answer any of our texts or calls. When he does decide to … Read more
A mind-bending hallucinogen is moving out of the counterculture and into the clinic. The Food and Drug Administration on Friday greenlit the first-ever human clinical trial of an ibogaine derivative in the US, opening the door to testing the psychedelic drug as a potential treatment for alcohol-use disorder. The move comes just days after President … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My wife recently immigrated to our current residence in the U.S. from Canada. She has a 23-year-old son dealing with mental illness back in Canada. He refuses to remain in therapy or to hold a steady job, and he failed out of university. My wife consistently lowers her expectations and continues to support … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a 35-year-old woman who’s never been in any sort of relationship with a man and, yes, I’m a virgin. For some reason, I am surrounded by women at school and at work. The one time I tried dating a colleague, it turned into the office romance from hell. I was publicly … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A former boyfriend, “Ray,” is an alcoholic. He has been through rehab twice, but it didn’t do any good. He won’t stop. He keeps saying we’ll work it out. I don’t understand why Ray can’t get it through his head that I no longer want to be with him. I gave him two … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My mother passed away six years ago. She was a manipulative woman who had alienated all family members except my adult son. She promised him a sizable amount of money when she passed, but didn’t follow through. As the fiduciary of my parents’ estate, I followed their trust directives as written, with no … Read more
Paris Jackson is celebrating six years of sobriety with a powerful message. Michael Jackson’s 27-year-old daughter shared an Instagram post Saturday where she reflected on her journey to beating her battle with addiction. “Getting sober ain’t always the indication that life is perfect,” Paris wrote. “A few years in it all got very very hard. … Read more
As Americans look for a fresh start in 2026, Dr. Drew Pinsky says the country’s approach to addiction is drifting further from what actually works. Every January, many Americans look to reset their lives with enough discipline and a plan. For people who repeatedly promise themselves this will be the year they quit whatever they might be … Read more
Anthony Hopkins is 50 years sober. The Oscar winner, 87, celebrated the major milestone in an Instagram video that he shared on Monday, two days shy of his 88th birthday. During the clip, Hopkins reflected on his near-fatal “drunken blackout” incident that inspired him to stop drinking. Anthony Hopkins in an Instagram video. Anthony Hopkins … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My retired husband of 15 years, “Seth,” is pushing me to the edge of divorce. He’s extremely negative, verbally abusive and estranged from many friends, which has harmed my relationships with friends and family. He drinks almost all day (I drink as well), calls me horrible names I won’t repeat and refuses to … Read more
Dick Van Dyke just turned 100 — and he’s still stealing the show. The legendary song-and-dance man officially became a centenarian on Dec. 13, a rare feat for a star whose career has delighted fans on the big and small screens for more than seven decades. “The funniest thing is, it’s not enough. A hundred … Read more
Thirst-zepatide? A cheap, already available pill is being billed as the “Ozempic of alcohol” for its ability to reduce appetites for booze, the way GLP-1 drugs curb food cravings. Naltrexone — which costs about $1.60 a pill when purchased in bulk — decreases the urge for alcohol by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, reducing the dopamine-reward … Read more
There’s a new way to treat alcoholism — and it’s as easy as popping a candy. Clutch, from Oar Health, is said to be the first mint designed to reduce alcohol cravings and curb heavy drinking. Nearly 28 million Americans 12 and older struggle with alcohol use disorder. Adults can take a Clutch once a … Read more
Cheers to your wealth. Binge drinking might not be the recipe for failure that it’s portrayed as in popular media. Recent studies have shown that heavy boozing during one’s youth could improve one’s chances of success later in life. In his new book “The Beauty and Pain of Drugs,” Norwegian sociologist Willy Pedersen of the University … Read more