TresSugar

Lady Gaga: I Don't Think Amy Needed to Learn Any Lessons

Tara Sharp — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:30:00 PDT

On The View today, Lady Gaga talked openly about the recent death of 27-year-old musician Amy Winehouse and some of the similar struggles she's gone through as an artist. Lady Gaga was unapologetic about her late friend's lifestyle, saying she wasn't the one who needed to learn a lesson, the world (and the media) needed to learn a lesson about kindness and the pressures of super-stardom. She also talked about her own history with hard drug use and how it was her father who helped her recover from it. Watch the video now and tell me, do you think celebrities need to take responsibility for their lifestyles, or are we to be held responsible for contributing to their problems?

Group Therapy: Weed Over Me?

Tres Community — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 03:05:15 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

My boyfriend has just finished college and is starting his job next week, so therefore he's only had 2 weeks of summer holidays. This final week he's been going crazy. I am aware that he spends a lot of time with his friends as they're really close, but they also smoke weed.

I didn't know when we first started dating, but I got used to it as he's not smoking it everyday, or goes a bit loopy if he hasn't smoked any for a while (they just do it for fun, instead of drinking). And from when I found out about this I said to myself that if he ever put weed before me that'd be it, we'd be over. But this week he's been going out every night (because of having starting work soon); normally he'd always answer my texts and we'd have a good, long chat everyday, but he's sending one or two texts and not saying where he's going or what he's doing. Not even a "I love you" . . . even though I know he's going out with his friends and smoking weed! I really don't know what to do. I know that he has to spend time with his friends, but what about me?! Have your friends and weed become more important than your own girlfriend? Hmm, please help me out here!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Group Therapy: Supporting an Old Friend After Rehab and Betrayal

Tres Community — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:05:57 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

A friend of mine recently completed a rehab program and contacted me to make amends. As you might imagine, our friendship went from close, to strained, to non-existent for reasons both directly and indirectly related to her addiction. There was a straw/camel’s back situation a few years ago, which led to me completely cutting her off.

Despite that, I’m still the only friend she has left. I really want her to lead a happy and sober life. I do care about her and we have lots of good memories together from the years we were friends. But peppered throughout those years were all sorts of betrayals, drama, and negativity. My life since I cut her out has been drastically better; the people around me are people I trust and drama is rare. I guess I just don’t know where she fits into my life anymore.

I should add that when we spoke, it seemed like she was really committed to staying sober and not engaging in the other destructive behaviors that caused our friendship breakup. But you can imagine why I would be hesitant to believe that after years of lies.

I guess my question is: Is it an obligation of mine to be one of her main support systems since she doesn't have other friends? Can I be supportive of her new life without really letting her back into mine? Can people really change, not just get clean, but actually change how they interact with and treat people during rehab? Also, I’d just be interested in hearing from anyone who has gone through rehab themselves or had a friend or loved one transition to a sober life.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Would You Use Laughing Gas During Labor?

Heather Maddan — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:01:34 PST

Most women need something to take the edge off during labor and there are lots of options with the epidural being fairly common. But now, moms-to-be will likely have another choice - laughing gas. One report said:

The use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, during childbirth fell out of favor in the United States decades ago, and just two hospitals - one in San Francisco and one in Seattle - still offer it. But interest in returning the dentist office staple to the delivery room is growing: respected hospitals including Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center plan to start offering it, the federal government is reviewing it, and after a long hiatus, the equipment needed to administer it is expected to hit the market soon.

Would you consider using it?

Is It Fair For a Mother to Keep a Child From His Father?

Heather Maddan — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:00:00 PST

A deadbeat dad rolls into town on last night's Parenthood! When Amber and Drew's pop shows up to play some gigs, Sarah has a bit of a breakdown when she finds out her son has been hanging out with his father. While the mom of two has good reason - namely because her ex is an addict - is it ever fair to keep a kid (who wants a relationship) away from his or her parent?

As Name Suggests, Man Up Now Is Not a Legit Drug

Annie Scudder — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:00:18 PST

The FDA has issued a warning on the male sexual enhancement drug called "Man Up Now." The company behind the capsules markets the over-the-counter drug as "herbal" and "all natural" but what it really means is "Viagra."

The FDA has warned users to stop using it now because the active ingredient can cause low blood pressure or complications for men with heart disease. It can also interact with other prescription drugs. Since men don't need a prescription to "Man Up Now," doctors are not able to weigh the health risks.

Some men might miss the chance to buy an erection at the drug store (or more likely online), but I don't feel too bad for them since a clinically proven female libido enhancer still eludes women.

Link Time - Pros and Cons of Dating a Pot Head

TresSugar — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:15:53 PST

When your partner really likes weed - YourTango
Is your divorce Facebook's fault? - Lemondrop
How not to approach someone online - The Frisky
What to do when he wants to spend more time with his friends - Glamour
Couple gift ideas you can enjoy together - Glo
How did your parents' spending shape your money habits? - SavvySugar

Brilliant or Baffling: Legalizing Drugs to Save Money

Emily Co — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 05:00:00 PDT

All drugs - pot, crack, heroin, meth, and more - should be legalized, says Harvard professor Jeffrey Miron. He says that we would be saving $41.3 billion annually, which the government spends (ineffectively) on the crackdown on drugs. People are still using drugs despite the efforts and huge amounts of money are spent to eradicate it, Miron says. Not everyone in the public is addicted to drugs like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, so the same will hold true if we make all the other drugs legal, Miron rationalizes. Sounds like a very controversial and innovative way to generate more revenue. What's your take on this - brilliant or baffling?

5 Things: EpiPens

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:50:09 PDT

I have a friend who is allergic to peanuts, so she carries an EpiPen wherever she goes. When people catch a glimpse of the injection, it prompts inevitable Pulp Fiction jokes, but there's nothing fun about having to use an EpiPen.

Commonly known by its brand name, this epinephrine autoinjection is used to treat anaphylaxis, a sudden and severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Certain foods, such as eggs and peanuts, can cause an anaphylactic reaction, as can bee stings and certain medications, particularly penicillin. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include hives, swelling, and itching that gives way to shortness of breath, chest tightness, and increased or irregular heartbeat.

For five essential facts about this allergy-kit essential,

Prescription Drugs' Expiration Dates, Explained

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:30:24 PDT

I've always wondered what exactly an expiration date means on a drug. Does it become less effective? Could it poison me? Obviously, there's a big difference in those two things, so I was glad to see this NPR story that sheds some light on drug expiration dates.

Just because a drug is past its expiration date doesn't necessarily mean you should toss it. Many states require drug labels to carry an expiration date just one year past the date of sale, but drug manufacturers often set dates two years later, based on testing.

The FDA's Ilisa Bernstein says there are no guarantees that drugs will be effective after the expiration date but that medications stored in a cool, dry place can last much longer. Does that mean we should focus on decoding drug names and drug interactions and not worry about the expiration dates?

If the drug is used to treat something commonplace, such as headaches or heartburn, you're probably safe using it past the date. But for medications your life depends on - particularly meds for severe allergic reactions such as EpiPens - you should not use them past the expiration date.