Mackenzie Phillips Sober Coach on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew

The Insider recently reported that actress Mackenzie Phillips will be making an appearance on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew as the third season’s “Sober Coach.”  Past Sober Coaches of Celebrity Rehab have included actors such as Gary Busey.

According to TMZ, Mackenzie Phillips entered rehab for the tenth time in September of 2008 after being busted for cocaine.  Further, most of the related cocaine charges have been dropped; upon completion of a drug diversion program, the remainder will be dropped as well.

TMZ also noted that those close to Mackenzie Phillips believe, “Mackenzie has done a complete 18,” adding that Phillips herself says, “the arrest saved her life.”  Fans of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew will have to keep an eye out as there is currently no set air date for the episodes that feature Mackenzie.

Heavy Rain Addiction and Recovery Video Game

A lot of buzz has been circulating over the last year about the yet unreleased, video game, “Heavy Rain.” So why is this DanJ09 news, you may be asking? Well, the game features a “One-of-a-kind” scenario that we find relevant to recovery and addiction. Still, the video game Heavy Rain deserves full attention, as people are already denoting it as a “possible classic” after only seeing a few previews and demo versions.

A longtime coming, Heavy Rain was developed by the French video game developer Quantic Dream. When asked about the game, Heavy Rain director, David Cage, recently explained to reporters: “Story is the core essence of the experience.” Cage added: “You need to create moral choices for the player that won’t be black and white that will be really difficult to answer. We want players to ask themselves, ‘What would I do if it were happening to me?’ and the answer [to not be] obvious.”

So what exactly is Heavy Rain director David Cage talking about, well, the video game features FBI profiler Norman Jayden as it main character, who is not only fighting the demons in the game by trying to hunt down and capture the serial killer, the “Origami Killer,” but also fighting his own demons; namely, his prescription drug addiction to a fictionalized drug called “Triptocaine.”

In Heavy Rain, Norman Jayden uses Triptocaine (prescription psychoactive drug) to function in his everyday routine. However, Jayden has built a serious addiction and really wants to wean himself off of Triptocaine. In short, players must make crucial decision that affect Norman Jayden’s life and Triptocaine addiction by choosing when to give him doses and when to make him quit altogether. In the screen shot I saw, there were buttons that players could choose at crucial moments that read, “cold” (assuming, cold turkey), “withdrawal,” or “Triptocaine.”

A&E Obsessed TV Series Premiere

On Memorial Day (May 25th, 2009), A & E will premiere the latest installment of their “Original Non-Fiction TV Series,” called “Obsessed.” Similar to their hit TV show “Intervention,” A&E Obsessed will also portray a very realistic (uncut), documentary-style TV Series that deals with treatment. The difference is that instead of dealing with addiction, “Obsessed” deals with the mental health condition, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

As part of an eleven episode TV Series, A & E Obsessed will air weekly at 10pm ET/PT. Each TV Show will be an hour long and focus on a different person living with anxiety disorders, including Panic Disorder, Hoarding and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

For those unfamiliar with OCD, the DSM says it is “characterized by obsessions (which cause marked anxiety or distress) and/or compulsions (which neutralize anxiety).” Often, a symptom of people living with OCD is uncontrollable rituals of repetition such as, hand washing, door locking, counting, and cleaning often. If the ritual is not performed, it only results in further anxiety.

Soccer Player Roman Bednar Suspended After Cocaine Bust

Goal.com is reporting that Czech Republic, soccer sensation Roman Bednar of the West Bromwich Albion (UK league) recently made headlines when he was busted buying approximately $650.00 worth of cocaine. Bednar was suspended from the UK soccer club as a result of his arrest.

According to reports the cocaine was purchased by Roman Bednar just down the street from his residence. Tabloids are also reporting that Bednar’s wife delivered him more drugs during practice earlier in the week. Goal.com also reported another incident in which Bednar bought five grams of cocaine and some marijuana also close to his home.

Based on the reports, there is no doubt that Roman Bednar has a serious drug problem. Anyone who goes through the kind of risks he is undertaking is obviously addicted and not considering the backlash of their actions. We here at DanJ09 just hope that Roman Bednar can get help soon.

Jeremy Mayfield Refuses Rehab

Jeremy Mayfield is back in the news again. This time, Mayfield is claiming that NASCAR never officially informed him of the drug he tested positive for, which resulted in an indefinite suspension. However, NASCAR is disputing Mayfield’s claim, saying they informed him three times since results were confirmed. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said: “All NASCAR members who violate the policy, including Jeremy, are notified of the substance that caused the failure.”

To date, Jeremy Mayfield is denying ever having used illegal substances, under NASCAR’s standard. Further, Mayfield is insisting that his positive result, for the substance in question, was the result of Claritin D.

Still, NASCAR officials have made it clear that lifting Mayfield’s suspension would be contingent upon completing a required rehab program. Basically, NASCAR sets up the program, according specific needs required to overcome the specific drug, and the NASCAR member must voluntarily finish the rehab program to be considered for reinstatement. Jeremy Mayfield still refuses, saying: ‘I’m not going to rehabilitation,” adding, “Why would I?”

LA Times Reports No HCG in Manny Ramirez Drug Test

The LA Times is reporting today that MLB has bungled the suspension of Manny Ramirez because no HCG was found in Manny’s system; HCG was the illegal substance that MLB had originally claimed Ramirez tested positive for, which warranted Manny’s suspension.  MLB’s logic for the suspension was that Manny Ramirez had a prescription for HGC and suspended him on this basis without yet having received the drug test results.

Nonetheless, Manny is not out of the clear.  The LA Times is also reporting that Manny Ramirez had between 4 to 10 times the normal amounts of testosterone in his system.  The source that gave the LA Times all the info is also claiming that the testosterone is not natural, but rather, synthetic.  If this is in fact the case, the only possibility of synthetic testosterone at that level in Manny Ramirez system would undoubtedly point to steroids use.

However, the LA Times is also reporting that Manny will argue that the elevated levels of testosterone were due to DHEA.  DHEA is considered an illegal substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency; however, DHEA is not considered an illegal substance by MLB, which theoretically would put Manny Ramirez in the clear.  Manny Ramirez is to meet with the Dodgers’ manger Joe Torre in Miami this weekend.

Marshal University Football Players Plead Guilty to Possession of Marijuana

Huntingtonnews.net recently reported that two starters of the Marshall University football team entered guilty pleas to possession of Marijuana charges this last Monday May 11th.  The two Marshall University football players implicated are Darius Marshall and DeQuan Starling.  The judge that oversaw the cases, Magistrate Darrell Black, sentenced both players to six months of unsupervised probation.  Under current state law, both players will be able to remove any record of the cases upon completion of probation.

Originally, the two players were busted by police while smoking marijuana in a curbside parked car.  The nature of the crime would have warranted that the incident be treated as a felony rather than a misdemeanor, but as admitted by both players, they “dodged a bullet.” However, the Marshall University football players weren’t as lucky on the filed as both were suspended indefinitely from playing.  Before the incident, tailback Darius Marshall was considered an NFL prospect, leading the team last year in rushing with 1,117 yards and five touchdowns, but it will be unclear as tohow severely the situation will affect him until he comes up for the draft.  Here at DanJ09, we wish the two football players the best and hope they are able to get help and return to the game soon.

NASCAR Driver Jeremy Mayfield Suspended for Substance Abuse

NASCAR Driver Jeremy Mayfield was suspended last week for violating the sports substance abuse policy after he tested positive for an illegal substance during a random drug screening. NASCAR just implemented random testing this year. Also suspended were crew members Tony Martin (#34 team) and Ben Williams (#16 team).

Jeremy Mayfield has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR for the violation, which spells major problems for his team as he not only the driver but the owner of the #41 car. Ironically, the first person to ever be suspended for violating NASCAR’s new substance abuse policy was none other than Jeremy Mayfield’s crew member, Paul Chodora.

At this point, Jeremy Mayfield is claiming that he is innocent and that the violation was the result of his mixing Claritin D with other medications. J.J. Yeley will replace Mayfield as the driver of the #41 car this weekend in the 40-lap qualifying race of the Sprint Showdown at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Mayfield’s wife, Shana Mayfield, assumes his role as team owner.

Reverend Run’s Son, JoJo Simmons, Arrested for Marijuana Possession

As reported in BET and several other sources, JoJo Simmons, son of rapstar legend Joseph “Run” Simmons of RUN DMC, was arrested in New York for Marijuana Possession. JoJo Simmons, just 19-years-old, was actually apprehended in his vehicle while trying to use the marijuana. According to reports, once approached by NYPD, JoJo Simmons attempted to flee from police almost hitting one cop in the process.

According to BET, Reverend Run’s Son, JoJo Simmons, was officially charged with: “criminal use of drug paraphernalia, possession of Marijuana, resisting arrest and attempted reckless endangerment.” BET also published Reverend Run’s only response thus far about the incident, which was posted on his Twitter: “You can learn many things from your Children…(Patience for instance!).”

JoJo Simmons was one of Joseph “Run” Simmons (RUN DMC) children that often appeared on the Reality TV, “Run’s House show.” Run’s House dealt with everyday occurrences in Reverend Run’s house. At times, during the show, it often seemed like Reverend Run was quite strict with JoJo, frequently keeping a vigilant eye on him. That being said, the latest incident seems very out of place for the Simmons’ family.

In the Rooms Releases “Rally for Recovery” Charity Walk Logo

As part of National Recovery Month in September, In the Rooms announced that it will be hosting a charity walk to be called “Rally for Recovery.” For those unfamiliar with In the Rooms intherooms.com, it is a new social networking website especially dedicated to connecting recovering addicts around the globe. It has been up on the web for less than a year and already has 40,000+ members. ITR members like to think of it as a place where people in recovery can go between meetings to support each other.

The In the Rooms Rally for Recovery charity walk will be taking place on September 12, 2009 at the Bicentennial Park in Downtown Miami. It will be an all day affair that will begin in the morning with the charity 5k walk from Bicentennial Park across the MacArthur Causeway and back. Later in the afternoon and into the night, there will be food, speakers, a slew of events and a concert. Please check back often to DanielJ09 for more information. We’ll give it you as soon as we get it. For now, enjoy the new In the Rooms Rally for Recovery charity walk logo located above the article.