Michael O'Keefe has disclosed that cocaine was explicitly budgeted for the 1980 film 'Caddyshack.' In a recent interview, the actor stated that the drug was treated casually on set, with usage described as routine. O'Keefe admitted to using the substance before filming certain scenes but confirmed he stopped using drugs after the production. He cited the death of co-writer Doug Kenney as a pivotal moment that led him to abandon substance use.
A new analysis of US data shows that approximately 11.4% of adults aged 65 and older who use cannabis meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD). While most cases are mild, nearly a quarter are moderate or severe. The study highlights that frequent use, mental illness, and other substance use significantly increase risk, prompting calls for better clinical screening among seniors.
US alcohol use has declined for the first time since the pandemic, reaching record lows in 2025, but this trend masks a sharp rise in heavy drinking among adults aged 50 to 64. While younger generations significantly cut back, older cohorts are drinking more, raising serious health concerns.
A new NHS clinic in Liverpool has treated over 100 young patients with severe bladder damage caused by ketamine use. The condition, often described by patients as 'peeing a jellyfish' or 'weeing over broken glass,' results from the drug shedding the bladder's protective lining. While some cases are reversible, others lead to incontinence, kidney failure, or the need for surgical removal of the bladder. The clinic serves a demographic largely composed of girls from deprived areas who often have pre-existing conditions like ADHD or trauma histories.
Megyn Kelly discussed Hayden Panettiere's death on her show, saying she wasn't surprised and criticizing Panettiere's parents as enablers; she referenced Panettiere's past talks about postpartum depression and substance abuse, noted Panettiere's grief after her brother's 2023 death, and highlighted that authorities in Greenville, SC are investigating the circumstances of her death.
A large study of over 10 million two-child families links birth order to disease risk across many conditions: first-borns show higher odds of neurodevelopmental issues (autism, ADHD), OCD, Tourette syndrome, allergies and acne, while younger siblings are more prone to substance abuse, gastrointestinal problems, and certain infections such as herpes zoster. The authors suggest immune and microbial exposure differences, plus social factors, with closer age gaps strengthening the microbial-sharing effect.
Two designs in over 5 million two‑child families from Merative MarketScan scanned 569 diseases. The primary between‑family matched cohort (1.6 million pairs) and a within‑family sibling comparison (5.1 million families) identified 150 Bonferroni‑significant birth‑order associations among 418 diseases. First‑borns have higher risk for neurodevelopmental and immune/allergic conditions (e.g., other/unspecified PDD, autism, food allergy, allergic rhinitis) while second‑borns show higher odds for substance‑abuse disorders and certain digestive diseases (gastritis/duodenitis). Across designs, effects are broadly concordant (r ≈ 0.66; 74% concordant; 84.7% of Bonferroni hits agree in direction), robust to state fixed effects and full‑sibling restrictions. A phenome‑wide atlas reveals domain‑specific patterns: first‑born excess dominates neuropsychiatric conditions; second‑born excess appears in digestive, musculoskeletal, infectious and some neurological diseases. The study provides a comprehensive, robust map of birth‑order influences on human disease and shows spacing between siblings can modulate several associations.
Robbie Williams addressed a viral moment from the 2026 World Cup final in which a white object fell onto his microphone, posting a playful video in which he apologizes for the incident and shows mint candies in his mouth, stressing that he’s sober and joking about the moment. The piece notes Williams’ past struggles with addiction and places the incident within the broader World Cup celebrity spotlight.
Daveigh Chase, the voice of Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and star of The Ring, died at 35 in a Los Angeles hospital; the Los Angeles County medical examiner listed AIDS as the cause and chronic polysubstance use as a significant condition, with the family noting struggles with drugs, homelessness, meningitis and a blood infection.
Oprah Winfrey revealed she stopped cameras and urged secrecy after Whitney Houston’s onstage fall during a The Oprah Winfrey Show appearance, doing so to shield Houston as she battled relapse; Houston later performed but died in 2012, with the estate noting the fall occurred during a sound check and that she was not high. The disclosure comes alongside broader discussions of Houston’s struggles and Winfrey’s interview approach.
Michigan is seeing a rising problem with nitrous oxide (whippets), as large, easily accessible canisters sold at gas stations and shops lead to more people experiencing numbness, weakness, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Emergency room visits and EMS calls for nitrous oxide injuries surged from 2019 to 2023, with continued increases through 2024–2026. Health officials warn of serious risks including vitamin B12 inactivation, brain and nerve damage, and psychiatric effects, despite 2024 bans on devices that facilitate inhalation and a 2025 FDA advisory. Experts call for better screening in medical settings and stronger restrictions on nitrous oxide sales.
In a four-part YouTube interview published four days before his death, former NFL star Aldon Smith discussed having 'definitely had better days' and struggling to accept parts of his life after football, recounting a difficult post-career period including a roofing job and heartbreak, while expressing gratitude; the cause of death, announced June 13, has not been disclosed.
Former NFL defensive end/linebacker Aldon Smith, 36, was found slumped in a friend’s car and died at a San Jose hospital. In a prior YouTube interview, he said he’d “definitely had better days” and spoke about ongoing struggles he’d faced for much of his life, a candid moment amid a career marked by off‑field issues and suspensions before later returning to play for the Cowboys in 2020.
Former 49ers star Aldon Smith, 36, was found dead in a friend’s car in Los Gatos and pronounced at a San Jose hospital; the Santa Clara County medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death, and Smith’s history of substance-abuse issues and suspensions is noted alongside tributes from the 49ers.
Lola Young revealed she is in ongoing drugs recovery, sharing that she’s been to rehab twice and spent time in a holistic facility during her hiatus; she now attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and emphasizes that recovery is a continuing process that has influenced her life and music.
