How Alcoholism Ruins Up Your Brain

Alcohol Consumption Leads to Brain Shrinkage

Brain Shrinkage from Alcohol

excessive alcohol consumption leads to brain shrinkage. Studies have shown that heavy drinking is associated with reduced brain volume, and even moderate drinking may have some negative effects on brain structure and cognitive function.

IF YOU SUFFER FROM ALCOHOLISM GET HELP. THERE IS GOD, DISCIPLINE AND PROGRAMS TO HELP YOU! YOU DESERVE A BETTER LIFE! MANY SUFFER LIKE YOU! YOU CAN CHANGE YOU WITH THE HELP OF GOD AND DISCIPLINE AND PROGRAMS THAT OFFER HELP

How Alcoholism Ruins Up Your Brain

A brief overview

I usually focus these posts on the spirituality of the 12 Steps as a path  of recovery from alcoholism and codependency, but today I’ve decided to look at a little medical research on this disease. You already know that chronic alcohol abuse causes brain damage – some of it permanent. Whether your brain can rebuild itself with prolonged abstinence depends upon the severity of the damage as well as correlated factors such as genetics, nutrition, and your life habits in sobriety.

Alcoholism Shrinks Your Brain
This is an indisputable fact. Prolonged abuse of alcohol shrinks all areas of the brain, causing the condition known as “wet brain.” All wet brain really means is that, as the brain tissue shrinks, the vacated areas, known as ventricles, fill with fluid to compensate. It doesn’t mean you become a drooling idiot. (My father developed it late in life and remained quite sharp.) Rather, the condition simply indicates that all functions of your brain have been compromised, so that you’re less aware, less physically able, less emotionally engaged, and less intelligent overall than you would be with a healthy, non-alcoholic brain.

But, hey, no big! The buzz is worth it, right?
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Why Does Alcoholism Shrink Your Brain?
Here we encounter competing theories. To quote an article from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (what a bunch of party-poopers!):

According to one hypothesis, shrinkage (i.e., atrophy) of the cerebral cortex and white matter, as well as possible atrophy of basal forebrain regions, may result from the neurotoxic effects of alcohol… Alcoholics who are susceptible to alcohol toxicity may develop permanent or transient cognitive deficits associated with brain shrinkage.[i]

What is “neurotoxicity”? It’s medi-speak for toasts your brain cells. They don’t necessarily die, but the dendrites connecting them are damaged or lost, so the cells occupy less area.   But hey – at least they’re still kind of there, right?

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As you can see, when it comes to brains, plump is better. The graph on the right may seem a little confusing if you’ve gotten bombed enough times – or, heck, even if you haven’t. The straight line represents a normal brain. The blue line shows shrinkage of regions in a young alcoholic brain, and the yellow line shrinkage in an older alcoholic brain. (By the way, who the hell drinks only 20 gallons of alcohol in their whole life? Seriously? Even 625 gallons wouldn’t be nearly enough for my addict!)

Parts of the Brain Most Vulnerable
Everybody knows that when you’re fucked up, you temporarily lose coordination, short-term memory, and sound judgment. But who cares? Not much of a price to pay for not hating yourself for a bit, right? Of course, getting hammered also fries your behavioral inhibitions, emotional intelligence, and the ability to accurately read social cues – none of which can even compare, obviously, with the tremendous relief of no longer feeling terrified to converse with other human beings because you’re suddenly irresistibly hot and charming.

That said, it only makes sense that prolonged exposure to alcohol would eventually damage the parts of the brain responsible for those very functions.

Neuroimaging studies of living brains point to increased susceptibility of frontal brain systems to alcoholism-related damage… The frontal lobes, connected with all other lobes of the brain, receive and send fibers to numerous subcortical structures. The prefrontal cortex is considered the brain’s executive—that is, it is necessary for planning and regulating behavior, inhibiting the occurrence of unnecessary or unwanted behaviors, and supporting adaptive “executive control” skills such as goal-directed behaviors, good judgment, and problem-solving abilities.

In other words, the motherboard of your brain starts to malfunction.   As alcoholism progresses, this can lead to the chain of bad choices that screw up an alcoholic’s entire life. Because it only makes sense that as self-restraint abates and good judgment declines, egotism and selfishness jump in to take up the slack.

 Disruptions of the normal inhibitory functions of prefrontal networks often have the interesting effect of releasing previously inhibited behaviors. As a result, a person may behave impulsively and inappropriately – which may contribute to excessive drinking.

In other words, the more you injure your brain by drinking, the more likely you are to say, “aw… fuck it!” and drink more. Other excellent ideas include hooking up with other sick people, engaging in unethical/destructive behaviors, and royally screwing over the people you love.

Because actually, you only kind of love them. To be honest, loving them is only a vague memory. Why is that?

Alcoholics may seem emotionally “flat” – i.e., they are less reactive to emotionally charged situations… Impairments in emotional functioning that affect alcoholics may reflect abnormalities in [the right hemisphere or] other brain regions which… influence emotional processing, such as the limbic system and the frontal lobes.

How many alcoholics know that feeling of not being able to feel?  When my grandmother died, when my husband walked away, when my partner shut the door on my begging – I knew I ought to feel something, but I didn’t. Not much more than, “Hmm… that sure sucks!” Who knew my limbic system was screwed up? Really, by the end I could feel only one thing: when I was pouring the drink, when I was chopping the lines, when it seemed I was winning the conquest, I felt, “YES!”

Alcohol directly stimulates release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is important in emotional expression, and of the endorphins, natural substances related to opioids, which may contribute to the “high” of intoxication and the craving to drink. Alcohol also leads to increases in the release of dopamine (DA), a neurotransmitter that plays a role in motivation and in the rewarding effects of alcohol.

The trouble is, the brain recognizes this overload of pleasure transmitters and tapers its production of each as a result. In other words, you feel like shit without a drink; in fact, severe neurotransmitter imbalances my cause you to develop “seizures, sedation, depression, agitation, and other mood and behavior disorders.”

The brain, of course, isn’t the only organ on the team to get fucked by alcohol. Every organ in the body suffers, but hardest hit is your liver. We all know the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the bloodstream gets compromised as alcohol overtaxes it. But did you know this?

These damaged liver cells no longer function as well as they should and allow too much of these toxic substances, ammonia and manganese in particular, to travel to the brain. These substances proceed to damage brain cells, causing a serious and potentially fatal brain disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy, which can result in mood and personality changes, anxiety, depression, shortened attention span, and coordination problems, including… hand shaking…

I think I might’ve had a spot of that…

Well, that’s about the end of my rollicking review of alcoholic brain damage. Missing from this account, of course, is the self-destructive spiritual illness that makes us not give a shit whether we’re killing ourselves, because life’s worthless anyway.

The good news is that studies also show all these physical processes can be reversed by long-term abstinence, while the spiritual malady – thank god! – can be cured via the 12 steps.  A healthy body is really just the means to an end – usefulness and the joy of living, which we’ve been granted in sobriety. source

IF YOU SUFFER FROM ALCOHOLISM GET HELP. THERE IS GOD, DISCIPLINE AND PROGRAMS TO HELP YOU! YOU DESERVE A BETTER LIFE! MANY SUFFER LIKE YOU! YOU CAN CHANGE YOU WITH THE HELP OF GOD AND DISCIPLINE AND PROGRAMS THAT OFFER HELP

Association between abnormal plasma metabolism and brain atrophy in alcohol-dependent patients

Introduction

Excessive and chronic alcohol consumption, caused by addictive behaviors in alcoholic patients, is closely related to the reduced viability of neuronal cells (neurons and glial cells) and axonal degradation, thus resulting in brain atrophy (Sutherland et al., 2014; Angebrandt et al., 2022). It has been reported that the degree of brain atrophy correlates with the rate and amount of alcohol consumed over a lifetime (de la Monte and Kril, 2014). Moreover, the latest research has detected negative relationships between alcohol consumption and gray and white matter volumes across the brain (Daviet et al., 2022). Abnormal patterns of macroscopic and microstructural changes in the brain, especially brain atrophy, are closely related to the cognitive dysfunction of alcoholics in the clinical setting (Zahr et al., 2011). Cognitive impairment, including deficits in memory, executive abilities, visuospatial processing, speed of processing and, to a lesser extent, attention and general intelligence, may dramatically influence a patient’s social function and quality-of-life (Godin et al., 2019). In view of the high prevalence of alcohol-related brain atrophy (ARBA) and its associated cognitive dysfunction, a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms underlying ARBA and the identification of potential biomarkers for this disease are urgently needed.

Metabolomics, a systematic method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of all low-molecular-weight metabolites, is suitable for identifying metabolic indicators and can provide a basis for individualized diagnosis and treatment (Ribbenstedt et al., 2018). Moreover, the discovery of new markers can provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of difficult diseases and can provide a useful guide for clinical diagnosis and treatment (Vuckovic, 2018). Metabolomic research based on untargeted/targeted mass spectrometry (MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy approaches may represent a valuable research tool to identify the underlying pathogenesis of alcohol-related disorders. Mittal and Dabur previously studied the influence of an aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia on the urinary metabolic signature of chronic alcohol using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS; Mittal and Dabur, 2015). In another study, Zhu et al. identified discriminatory metabolic profiles between healthy and alcohol dependent individuals by using metabolomics technology (Zhu et al., 2021). To our knowledge, no previous study has identified alterations in the metabolic and protein profiles of plasma samples taken from alcohol-dependent patients with brain atrophy.

Machine learning, as a field of artificial intelligence (AI), provides intelligent data processing while facilitating reasoning and the initial settings to determine functional relationships (Deo, 2015). Due to the diversification of algorithms, machine learning is gradually emerging in the field of multi-omics, including artificial neural networks (ANNs), and random forest (RF) algorithms (Liebal et al., 2020). The main applications of machine learning in disease-related multi-omics data analysis include (1) the stratification of patients to discover various subtypes of human diseases and to discover different treatment/prognostic outcomes, and (2) the investigation of various diseases by identifying biomarkers of omics features under various state (Nicora et al., 2020). Traditional methods for processing metabolomics data tend to only focus on bridging sample differences within groups. However, in applied pharmaceutical research (such as candidate target discovery and drug sensitivity), we also need to consider data perturbation and sensitivity to sample size (Schrimpe-Rutledge et al., 2016). Based on their specific characteristics, a combination of traditional single evaluation and machine learning algorithms could provide an efficient means of evaluating the performance of metabolomics data processing from multiple perspectives (Mirza et al., 2019; Picard et al., 2021). Specifically, this strategy can achieve effective data processing from five relatively independent directions: reducing within-group sample differences, differential metabolic analysis, the stability of marker identification, classification accuracy, and the consistency of biological gold standards.

In this study, we used a LC–MS/MS-based metabonomics approach to provide a robust technical platform to investigate the profiles of plasma metabolites in ARBA patients and identify characteristic metabolites that can be used to discriminate ARBA from non-ARBA. MetaboAnalyst version 5.0 was then used to identify metabolites and metabolic pathways showing significant enrichment in ARBA. Then, machine learning algorithms were used to identify the most important distinctive metabolites that might be associated with patients with ARBA. The findings of the present study may help to identify the molecular mechanisms that underlie ARBA.

Materials and methods

Study design and participants

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hunan Brain Hospital (Reference: 2016121). Signed and informed consent was obtained from each patient.

A total of 126 patients with alcohol addiction were enrolled from Hunan Brain Hospital between March 2019 and January 2020. Brain MRI were performed in all patients to evaluate the extent of brain atrophy.

The inclusion and exclusion criteria were described in our previous publication (Liu et al., 2020). Briefly, the inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age 18–60 years, Han Chinese; (2) no contraindications for MRI. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patients had any general medical conditions or neurological disorders, including infectious, hepatic, or endocrine disease; (2) patients with a history of severe head injury with skull fracture or loss of consciousness of more than 10 min; (3) patients had any current or previous psychiatric disorder; (4) patients had a family history of psychiatric disorder. The diagnosis of alcohol dependence was made according to the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV criteria (Battle, 2013). Alcohol-dependent patients were divided into two subgroups based on whether they have brain atrophy (the experimental group) or not (the control group).

Evaluation of brain atrophy

Brain MRI were performed in all patients after blood samples collection. The extent of brain atrophy was evaluated by at least two independent neuroradiologists using the global cortical atrophy scale (Pasquier et al., 1996). Both cortical regions (frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital) and subcortical regions (peri-insular, basal, and vault) were assessed. The severity of atrophy (low, moderate, or severe) was detected by the widening of sulci and narrow of gyri, as well as the reduction in amplitude of the respective regions. Figure 1 shows examples of different severity of brain atrophy.

FIGURE 1

Figure 1. Axial T1 weight (up) and T2 weight (down) magnetic resonance images showing different extent of brain atrophy in Alcohol-dependent patients. From left to right, columns represent absent, low, moderate and sever brain atrophy. In low brain atrophy, sulcal opening peripherally (yellow arrows) is observed. In moderate brain atrophy, widening along the length of the sulcus (green arrows) are observed. In severe brain atrophy, gyral thining (red arrows) is observed.

Sample collection and preparation

Blood samples were taken from all inpatients after hospital admission but prior to starting treatment. Blood samples were taken from the experimental and control patients between 6:00 and 6:30 am and placed into plasma collecting tubes. Samples were then centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 min at 4°C and the plasma was aliquoted into 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes and immediately stored at −80°C.

For LC–MS, we removed 100 μl of each plasma sample and added 0.4 ml of pre-cooled 0.2% methanol-acetonitrile mixture (1:1, v/v); this was followed by vortex-mixing and ultrasonic extraction on iced water. Next, the solution was centrifuged at 13,000 × g for 15 min at 4°C; 400 μl of the supernatant was taken and dried with nitrogen. Finally, 100 μl of acetonitrile water (1:1, v/v) was added and the re-dissolved solution was injected into a sample bottle for detection. Quality control samples (a mixture of equal quantities of all sample extractions) were injected after every 10 analytical samples to monitor the stability of the LC–MS system.

LC–MS data acquisition and processing

Data acquisition was performed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS with the following parameter settings: an ethylene bridged hybrid C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm id, 1.7 μm; Waters), mobile phase A (water with 0.1% formic acid), and mobile phase B (acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid). The gradient of the mobile phase was consistent with our previous metabolomic studies (Zhang et al., 2020). The MS signal was acquired in positive-ion and negative-ion modes.

Raw files for the acquired LC–MS/MS data were imported into the metabolomics-processing software Progenesis QI (Waters) to obtain matched and aligned peak data. Subsequently, peak data containing retention time (RT), molecular formula, along with accurate relative molecular mass and peak area information, were imported into Microsoft Excel so that we could normalize the peak area for further analysis.

Analyses of metabolomics data and pathways

Following normalization of the peak area, data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The variables showing the most significant differences were identified by selecting those with a VIP > 1 from an S-plot and p < 0.05 from an independent samples t-test. Based on the Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) and secondary fragment ions, we were then able to identify differential variables. Then, we performed metabolic pathway analysis for differentially expressed metabolites with MetaboAnalyst version 5.0 to gain insight into the pathogenesis of ARBA, as described previously (Zhang et al., 2020).

Machine learning methods for biomarker screening

Three machine learning methods (Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), and AdaBoost Classifier) were used to identify potential biomarkers from differential metabolites or proteins. The five most important metabolites were identified by XGBoost, RF and AdaBoost, and then combined for subsequent analysis. Machine learning was then performed using the Extreme Smart Analysis Platform.¹

The sensitivity and specificity of the combined biomarkers were further analyzed using logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In ROC analysis, the area enclosed by the curve and the x-axis (x = 1 line) was defined as the area under the curve (AUC). Logistic regression analysis was performed using OmicStudio.²

Results

Baseline characteristics of the study population

A total of 226 participants were recruited for the present study: 62 were assigned to the NBA-ADP group, 64 were assigned to the BA-ADP group, and 100 were assigned to the Healthy Control (HC) group. Clinical and demographic characteristics were summarized in Table 1. The sex, age, and duration of alcohol dependence between NBA-ADP and BA-ADP group were equivalent. There was no statistical difference in Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) scores between two groups. However, the RBANS scores (including attention, delay memory, immediate memory, language, visuospatial) in BA-ADP group were all slightly higher than these in NBA-ADP group.

TABLE 1

Table 1. Demographic and baseline patient characteristics.

Global metabolomic profiling

A total of 13,601 peaks were obtained, including 6,189 positive-mode features and 8,432 negative-mode features. A total of 178 positive-mode and 253 negative-mode metabolites were annotated and mapped to public databases. Corresponding to the two modes, 52 and 84 metabolites were, respectively, annotated and mapped to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. These metabolites belonged to 15 different KEGG compound classifications. Figure 2A shows that these metabolites were mainly classified as phospholipids. According to the KEGG database, these metabolites belonged to 25 different KEGG pathways (Figure 2B). Of these, the lipid metabolism pathway was the pathway that contained the most metabolites.

FIGURE 2

Figure 2. The KEGG classification of metabolites identified in all plasma samples. The classification criteria were: (A) KEGG Compound Classification; (B) KEGG Pathway.

According to the HMDB version 4.0 database, 431 selected metabolites belonged to 9 predominant super-classes (Figure 3A) and 21 subclasses (Figure 3B). The former included lipids and lipid-like molecules (63.03%), organic acids and derivatives (11.61%), organoheterocyclic compounds (7.21%), and organic oxygen compounds (6.98%). The latter includes glycerophosphocholines (10.00%), amino acids, peptides, and analo (9.07%), fatty acids and conjugat (8.14%), bile acids, alcohols and deves (6.98%), and glycerophosphoethanolamines (5%).

FIGURE 3

Figure 3. The HMDB classification of metabolites identified in all plasma samples. Pie chart illustrating the abundance ratio of different classes of plasma metabolites detected with untargeted metabolic profiling. The classification level was: (A) Superclass; (B) Subclass.

Identification of dysregulated metabolites

A total of 172 significant differential metabolites (FDR < 0.05) among the three groups were detected by analysis of variance (ANOVA). To further identify group differences in the metabolic profiles between groups, we performed OPLS-DA score plots; these identified notable separations between both the BA-ADP and HC group and between the NBA-ADP and HC group (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4

Figure 4. OPLS-DA score plots of alcohol-dependent patients (ADP) versus healthy controls. (A) OPLS-DA score plots of NBA-ADP vs. HC; (B) OPLS-DA score plots of BA-ADP vs. HC.

Differentially expressed metabolites were identified using multivariate and univariate statistical significance criteria (VIP > 1 and FDR < 0.05). In total, 139 metabolites were identified to be significantly different between the NBA-ADP and HC group and 26 metabolites between the BA-ADP and NBA-ADP group (Figure 5; Table 2).

FIGURE 5

Figure 5. Differential plasma metabolic profiles of alcohol-dependent patients vs. healthy controls. The hierarchical clustering and heat map in the left panel shows the top 30 metabolites that were significantly differentially abundant between NBA-ADP and HC (A), and 26 metabolites that were significantly differentially abundant between BA-ADP and NBA-ADP (B). The histogram in the right panel represents variable importance in projection (VIP) scores derived from the OPLS-DA model for each metabolite. ∗∗∗ indicates P < 0.001.

TABLE 2

Table 2. Differentially expressed endogenous metabolites detected by UHPLC-QTOF/MS.

Functional analysis of differentially expressed plasma metabolites from alcohol-dependent patients

To gain a further understanding of the metabolic disturbances between the NBA-ADP and HC group and between the BA-ADP and NBA-ADP group, we performed KEGG pathway enrichment analysis; we also used MetaboAnalyst version 5.0 to perform a functional analysis of plasma metabolites.

As shown in Figure 6A, primary bile acid biosynthesis (map00120), taurine and hypotaurine metabolism (map00430) were the most important metabolic pathways that showed alterations in the alcohol-dependent patients (both the NBA-ADP group and the BA-ADP group) when compared with the HC group. In contrast, pentose and glucuronate interconversions (map00040) and glycerophospholipid metabolism (map00564) were detected in the BA-ADP group when compared with the NBA-ADP group (Figure 6B).

FIGURE 6

Figure 6. Metabolite pathway changes identified using MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Pathway analysis of the differential plasma metabolites between NBA-ADP vs. HC (A), and BA-ADP vs. NBA-ADP (B). The y axis shows the p-values and the x axis, representing pathway impact values; node color is based on its p-value and node size reflects the pathway impact values.

Screening of potential metabolic biomarkers for alcohol-dependent patients with brain atrophy

The five most important metabolites selected by AdBooST were Sulfolithocholylglycine PC (16:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)), Allolithocholic acid, MG(0:0/22:1(13Z)/0:0), and Cyclopassifloic acid E (Figure 7A). The five most important metabolites selected by Random forest were PC (16:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)), N-[(3a,5b,7a)-3-hydroxy-24-oxo-7-(sulfooxy)cholan-24-yl]-Glycine, Cyclopassifloic acid E, 2,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone 5-sulfate, and Allolithocholic acid (Figure 7B). The five most important metabolites selected by Naive Bayes were Deoxycholic acid 3-glucuronide, Sulfolithocholylglycine, Cholic Acid, N-[(3a,5b,7a)-3-hydroxy-24-oxo-7-(sulfooxy)cholan-24-yl]-Glycine, and 2,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone 5-sulfate (Figure 7C). Nine metabolites (Cholic Acid, PC (16:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)), allolithocholic acid, sulfolithocholylglycine, N-[(3a,5b,7a)-3-hydroxy-24-oxo-7-(sulfooxy)cholan-24-yl]-Glycine, cyclopassifloic acid E, MG(0:0/22:1(13Z)/0:0), deoxycholic acid 3-glucuronide, 2,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone 5-sulfate) were identified as potential metabolic biomarkers for alcohol-dependent patients with brain atrophy. As shown in Figure 7D, the AUC of the ROC curve reached was 0.7719 for distinguishing between BA-ADP and NBA-ADP patients.

FIGURE 7

Figure 7. Screening of potential plasma metabolite biomarkers of alcohol-dependent patients with brain atrophy. The nine most important metabolites selected by Naive Bayes (A), AdaBoost (B), and Random Forest (C). The AUC value of the ROC curve of potential plasma metabolite biomarkers for distinguishing BA-ADP patients from NBA-ADP (D).

Discussion

It is well-known that alcohol can causes serious health problems, long-term abuse, and irreversible alterations in the structure and function of the brain (Rehm et al., 2017; Kranzler and Soyka, 2018). However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that sought to identify potential plasma biomarkers of alcohol-dependent patients who have brain atrophy by applying non-targeted metabolomics and machine learning.

In this study, a total of 26 metabolites were found to show significant changes between the BA-ADP and NBA-ADP group. Each of the identified metabolites were searched against synonyms in HMDB. These metabolites covered a range of chemical classes; lipids and lipid-like molecules were ranked highest and featured 22 of the metabolites. The obtained metabolites were classified based on the KEGG compound annotation database.³ Phospholipids and phospholipid metabolism were ranked first in the secondary classification category of KEGG compounds. As the main substance of the brain, lipids not only act as the building blocks of all membrane structures but also act as the repository for chemical energy and play a significant role in cellular signaling pathways (Holthuis and Menon, 2014; Van Deijk et al., 2017). Characteristic alterations in lipid—including structure, composition, or distribution—are thought account for alterations in neuronal function, synaptic signaling, and neurotransmitter transmission. A previous lipidomics study investigating the links between chronic alcohol infusion and whole brain lipid profile, demonstrated that specific lipid categories, mainly PS, PC and PE, appeared to be related to neuro-pathology (Wang et al., 2019). To further identify the potential metabolic biomarkers of BA-ADP, machine learning was used and nine metabolites ((Cholic Acid, PC (16:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)), Allolithocholic acid, Sulfolithocholylglycine, N-[(3a,5b,7a)-3-hydroxy-24-oxo-7-(sulfooxy) cholan-24-yl]-Glycine, Cyclopassifloic acid E, MG(0:0/22:1(13Z)/0:0), Deoxycholic acid 3-glucuronide, 2,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone 5-sulfate) were identified. The AUC of these metabolite biomarkers was 0.7719, thus indicating an acceptable correlation using metabolite biomarkers and an outstanding correlation using protein biomarkers.

Of the nine differential metabolites identified in this study, there were several different species of bile acids, including cholic acid, allolithocholic acid, and deoxycholic acid 3-glucuronide. Bile acids readily cross the blood–brain barrier and their receptors are expressed in central tissues, suggesting that they may have important functional roles (Romanazzi et al., 2021). The bile acid signaling pathway plays an extremely important role in diseases and is a target for drug intervention. Drugs related to bile acids include chenodeoxycholic acid and its derivatives, ursodeoxycholic acid and its derivatives, bile acid sequestrants (such as cholestyramine), and apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) inhibitors. In the nervous system, ASBT-mediated bile acid reabsorption significantly increases the level of bile acid in the serum and brain tissue, reduces the acidity of the intestinal cavity, increases the pH of the intestine, and promotes the conversion of intestinal ammonium into ammonia, thus resulting in abnormally increased levels of neurotoxic ammonia and cytotoxic bile acid in the blood and brain. Previous studies have confirmed that changes in bile acid occur in patients who progress from cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease, and the relationship between this change and cognitive decline is well documented. In addition, our study identified two metabolites related to bile acids. The expression of these two-acyl glycine and bile acid-glycine conjugates varied significantly between the BA-ADP and NBA-ADP group. Therefore, we assumed that bile acids may strongly associated with alcohol-related brain atrophy. And additional targeted absolute quantitative analyze of the bile acid spectrum in future studies may be helpful.

Interestingly, another class of potential metabolic biomarkers here we identified are lipid metabolites. It is widely documented that the homeostasis of lipid metabolism plays a significant role in the central nervous system. Many lipidomic-based studies have reported the relationship between the dysregulation of specific lipids and pathological conditions, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, and cancer. It has been reported that long-term alcohol exposure significantly modifies the serum lipid profile, especially the metabolic pathways involving glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid and glycerolipids. Alcohol exposure can dramatically influence the lipidome of both the prefrontal cortex and striatum, thus leading to alcohol-related neurotoxicity and neuroplasticity. In the present study, by applying metabolomics analysis, we found that some glycerophospholipid (GP) metabolites, such as PC(P-16:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)), were significantly altered in alcohol-dependent patients with brain atrophy. GPs are the main components of the membrane structure. Different cell types, organelles, and inner/outer membranes in mammalian mitochondria, are known to have distinct glycerophospholipid compositions; these differences relate to the specific biological functions of these structures (Klaming et al., 2019). As GPs provide neural membranes with stability, fluidity and permeability, they are necessary for the normal biological function of integral membrane proteins, receptors, and ion-channels. Our present results suggest that chronic alcohol exposure may lead to brain atrophy and affect brain functionality by altering the composition of GPs. Alterations of the GP composition in neural membranes could therefore be related to neurological disorders. In addition, we found that some glycerolipids, such as MG(0:0/22:1(13Z)/0:0), were significantly altered in alcohol-dependent patients with brain atrophy. Further research now needs to investigate the key metabolic enzymes that mediate alcohol-induced dysfunction of lipidome profiling in the brain.

Based on the identified metabolites, we further identified two significantly altered metabolic pathways (primary bile acid biosynthesis, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism) that were most closely related to alcohol dependence irrespective of whether brain atrophy was involved or not. As endogenous signaling molecules, bile acids are synthesized in the liver and secreted into the gastrointestinal tract for postprandial nutrient absorption and to control the overgrowth of microbial growth. In addition, gut microbes metabolize bile acids and in doing so, determine the composition of the circulating bile acids, thus regulating host metabolism (Chiang and Ferrell, 2019). Patients with acute alcohol intake exhibit increased serum levels of bile acids and cholestatic liver injury; alcohol intake also increases bile acid pool size and reduces bile acid flow and fecal excretion (Donepudi et al., 2018). Wang et al. found that the abundance of firmicutes and clostridium was notably increased in alcohol-addicted mice, and the levels of secondary bile acids produced by firmicutes had increased (Wang et al., 2018). In conclusion, compared with healthy individuals, there are certain changes in the expression levels of bile acid metabolites (including tauroursodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid and allocholic acid) in alcohol-addicted patients. The analysis showed that regulation of bile acid biosynthesis is likely to contribute to the occurrence and development of alcohol-related diseases.

As for taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, taurine has already been shown to protect mice with alcoholic liver injury by reducing hepatic oxidative stress and interrupting the alcohol-induced renal inflammatory cycle (Tang et al., 2019). It is well known that taurine can also prevent and repair liver damage and balance liver lipid metabolism indicators in a mouse model of alcoholic liver disease. The mechanism involved in this protection may be related to the regulation of related enzymes and transcriptional regulators involved in lipid metabolism (Latchoumycandane et al., 2014). In another study, Xia et al. suggested that the metabolic pathways of ascorbic acid, taurine, and hypotaurine, may play an active role in the protection against Antrodin A secreted by Antrodia camphorata and thus protect against alcoholic liver injury (Yi et al., 2021). Our present study also found that the BA-ADP group showed an elevation in taurine, compared with the NBA-ADP group. Thus, those imply that the metabolic pathways of taurine and hypotaurine may be also associated with alcohol-related brain atrophy.

To further identify the potential pathways that may be associated with alcohol-related brain atrophy, the KEGG pathway analysis using difference metabolites between BA-ADP and NBA-ADP was performed. We found that glycerophospholipid metabolism, along with pentose and glucuronate interconversions, were significantly associated with alcohol-related brain atrophy. This finding is in line with previous studies that demonstrated the impact of glycerophospholipid metabolism on neurodegenerative changes (Frisardi et al., 2011). Previous studies have shown that the degradation products of glycerophospholipids have pro-inflammatory effects and that their production is often accompanied by the activation of astrocytes and microglia and the release of inflammatory cytokines; these changes lead to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation (Bonelli et al., 2020). Changes in glycerophospholipid metabolism have also been shown to lead to changes in cell membrane permeability and ion homeostasis, thus leading to oxidative stress and neurodegenerative changes (Fuller and Futerman, 2018). Increased small vascular disease load was linked to changes in glycerophospholipid metabolism, as seen by increased white matter hyperintensity volume, decreased mean diffusivity normalized peak height, increased brain atrophy, and decreased cognition (Harshfield et al., 2022). Previous report has found that pentose and glucuronate interconversions is associated with the cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease (He et al., 2020). In the present study, we report, for the first time, that pentose and glucuronate interconversions are also associated with alcohol-related brain atrophy. However, the precise role of these two regulatory metabolic pathways in the pathophysiological mechanism of alcohol dependence-related brain atrophy requires further investigation.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that need to be considered. First, the metabolomic analysis performed in the present study did not provide absolute quantification. If this model is to be applied clinically, more rigorous quantification and extensive validation of metabolites would be needed. Targeted metabolomics could be used to validate these specific plasma metabolomic biomarkers. Second, the sample size of this study was rather small, particularly in proteomic analysis; thus, additional patients are required for future analysis. Third, only XGBoost, RF, and AdaBoost Classifier were used to screen for potential biomarkers. Other machine learning methods, such as Support Vector Machine and Boruta could be used in future analyses. Fourth, due to the complex genetic and microenvironmental backgrounds of our patients, other biofluids, such as urine, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid, could also be used to identify additional novel biomarkers. This will provide a more to comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of brain atrophy in alcohol-dependent patients. Last, we failed to reveal any differences in cognitive tests between control patients and those identified as having brain atrophy in this study, more detailed cognitive tests may be help in future research.

Conclusion

This was the first attempt to conduct a metabolomic analysis of plasma samples from healthy control groups and alcohol-dependent patients. Our data showed that patients with alcohol-dependent brain atrophy had distinct metabolic profiles compared with healthy controls and alcohol-dependent patients who do not have brain atrophy. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis suggested that alterations in the metabolome may be involved in disease pathogenesis. Although further research is needed, our results offer useful diagnostic and therapeutic clues for the management of alcohol-dependent patients with brain atrophy. source

What happens when you stop drinking alcohol? Pretty much everything you’d expect—and also plenty that you might not.

Like, better sleep, less anxiety, and a clearer head, for one. And, glowier skin, hotter sex, and maybe even more connected relationships as well. But that’s not all: Recent studies show that the list of social, psychological, and physical benefits of teetotaling is ever-growing. It includes everything from more balanced hormones to a stronger immune system to reduced risks of heart disease, liver disease, and cancer. Plus, the potential of increased self-awareness, self-confidence, and higher self-esteem, too. As one doctor I recently interviewed put it, when you quit alcohol, “your entire body and soul improves.”

But swapping our evening glass of red wine for non-alcoholic spritzes and mocktails isn’t always super easy to do—even if you don’t officially struggle with an alcohol use disorder. That’s because alcohol is literally everywhere; its consumption is ingrained in our culture and societal norms. “Alcohol is the only socially-accepted mind-altering beverage in the world,” says Dr. Rafaat Girgis, a triple-board certified psychologist and the medical director at Moment of Clarity, a mental health treatment center in Orange County, California. “It’s served at parties, during meals, and on holidays; for most people, it’s just a part of daily life.” Which is why taking even just a short break for Dry January or Sober October—not to mention, quitting long-term—can often feel like it requires heroic levels of discipline.

One way to make it all a little easier: having a firm understanding of when you can expect to experience all the benefits. Anticipating everything that can occur after one day, one week, one month, and beyond can help you stay connected with the positive changes as they unfold— and remind you to give yourself some grace when temptations emerge. “Getting your body back to normal functioning depends on many factors, including your gender, current health, and your willingness,” explains Dr. Girgis. “Accept it, learn, and gain insight as you go.” After all, the body and the soul don’t improve overnight.

To that end, it’s also important to stay patient—and persistent. Good advice for any challenging situation, really, and especially when it comes to cutting back on or quitting alcohol. Tanya Mezher, a certified dietary nutritionist and the founding practitioner at functional medicine platform Malla agrees. “Recovery takes time, and setbacks may occur,” she warns. “Stay committed to your goals. The timeline varies from person to person, but noticeable improvements in physical and mental health can often be seen within a few weeks to months.”

With that in mind, here’s an overview of what you can expect in the short term and the long term when you stop drinking. Plus, a few more tips to help you succeed at every juncture in the journey. And remember: if you’re feeling hopeless or out-of-control because of heavy drinking, it’s important to seek professional medical support. You don’t have to go it alone and quitting cold turkey is not advisable. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline, which operates 24/7, 365 days a year, at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for more information.

@clarkkegleyPowerful Lessons From Quitting Alcohol

♬ original sound – Clark Kegley

What happens you stop drinking after one day

For many, experiencing the intense flu-like symptoms of a hangover—nausea, headache, chills, sweating, restlessness, anxiety, bowel upset, and inflammation—can be a powerful impetus for deciding to quit or, at the very least, cut back. Therefore, depending on how much alcohol you typically consume, the first day off can be a little, ahem, rough. But the good news is, the first 12 to 24 hours of sobriety is when the healing also begins. Notably, you’ll experience increased hydration as your reduced blood alcohol levels reduce. “This could be the most critical part of stopping without a medical intervention,” Dr. Girgis says.

After three days

It’s not uncommon to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings within the first few days of quitting; fitful sleep and low-level depression are also common. “This is the time where you are most vulnerable physically,” Dr. Girgis says, noting that this is often the point when many hopeful quitters succumb to the temptation to quell discomfort with a little “hair of the dog.” If you’re able to resist, the results will be worthwhile: you should start to experience better sleep, increased energy, and improved digestion by the 72-hour mark—and also noticeable skin clarity and increased levels of energy thanks to improved hydration. The liver, which is responsible for metabolizing alcohol, will also begin to reset and repair.

After one to two weeks

By now, you should be feeling a marked difference—and any improvements you’ve recently seen in your skin, energy, and sleep quality will only increase. Your immune system should be firing more effectively now, too, which can mean less chance of sickness, inflammation, and infection. Withdrawal symptoms should also have noticeably subsided at this point, freeing you to relish in the improvement in mental clarity and sharpness.

After one month

Like a downhill skier picking up speed, the momentum—and benefits—really start to build after a month. Liver enzyme levels and blood pressure have normalized, reducing the risk of cirrhosis and heart disease. Cardiovascular levels are also improved, which may also contribute to weight loss and visible changes in your physique.

After three months

You may suddenly notice you’re seeing the world through a rosier lens: At three months, emotions and mental health have stabilized leading to a more positive outlook and much cheerier moods. You may be feeling more creative and motivated, too, as any alcohol-induced brain damage or shrinking should begin to repair. Sleep patterns should be completely regulated by now, which means you could be jumping out of bed faster than you ever have before.

After six months to a year—and beyond

This is when most people really start to feel like a whole new version of themselves in all ways. Everything from anxiety to depression to sexual function should be majorly improved by now—and will only continue to benefit as the body repairs. The risk of developing certain cancers, as well as liver and heart disease are also more markedly reduced. And, many people also report more fulfillment in their relationships and work as their self-esteem and confidence increase. “My feelings is that it truly takes one year for your body to return to normal,” Dr. Girgis says. This is also when you may decide to never look back again; when you realize that quitting alcohol might just be, as he puts it, “the best choice you will ever make.”

Staying committed long-term

When it comes to staying on the wagon, both Dr. Grigis and Mezer say that it’s helpful to continue to set clear goals and seek support—whether that’s through a professional therapist, a medical advisor, family and friends, or organized groups. “Share your intentions with friends and family who can provide encouragement,” Mezer advises. And, don’t neglect the self-care basics. “Nutrition and hydration are your friends,” says Dr. Grigis. “Choose healthy foods and beverages, and remember to be physically active—even if it’s just walking around the neighborhood.” They both say these things can really help you stay focused and avoid potential triggers, both important factors in long-term success. “Know this,” Dr. Grigis says. “The decision to stop drinking is yours, and though it’s a daily commitment, it is possible—and wonderful.” source

I Quit Alcohol for 365 Days (why I’m NEVER going back)

“Life is so precious! Live with love, joy, happiness, and abundance.” I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and your loved ones is a healthy you. I am sure that everyone has heard about alcohol abuse and addiction.

Alcoholism is one of the most common addiction forms. Alcoholism is a bad habit that affects all aspects of your life. Drinking problem can have a negative impact on our health, relationships, finances and many more.

Before you get to the point how quitting can change our lives, you should know about the consequence and effects of drinking alcohol:

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM

People with Alcoholism suffer the interpersonal problem. They begin to draw out from family, relatives, and friends. They become argumentative and strained at home, at work, and with friends. Some people won’t even realize how badly they are affecting their family.

>HEALTH PROBLEM

Drinking is done for a short period of time but its effects are long term. It affects our complete body. Heavy drinking puts you at a risk of developing serious health problems.Such as heart disease, liver disease, certain forms of cancer and pancreatitis.

>LIVER DISEASE

Long-term heavy drinking develops alcoholic hepatitis or inflammation of the liver. It causes fever, jaundice and abdominal pain and can cause death.

>HEART DISEASE

Drinking alcohol causes the greatest risk of heart attack, increase blood pressure and heart disease.

>PANCREATITIS

The Pancreas help to regulate the body’s blood sugar. The Pancreas also digest food when we eat. Drinking cause inflammation of the pancreas which causes abdominal pain and weight loss.

OTHER ISSUES

There are many other problems related to drinking. As soon as you recognize it, you will know that you have a problem or the beginnings of a problem. Problems include thinking often about drinking, trying to stop drinking but unable to do, feeling guilty and embarrassed.

After reading these effects of alcoholism you sure want to quit alcohol. Quitting alcohol can be a life-altering decision and when you quit alcohol you will see how your life will improve. Here are the changes in your body when you quit alcohol.

After 1 hour

>Body kicks into full-blown detox mode to clear the alcohol from your body.

>Liver starts working overtime.

>Pancreas starts producing extra insulin which causes intense carb craving.

After 12–24 hours

> Blood sugar normalizes.

> Because of the diuretic effect booze has on bodies, you are going to be Dehydration.

After 48 hours

> Your body finishes its biggest detox hurdle.

> Cause headaches and tiredness.

After 72 hours

> Hangover side effects now out from your body you will start sleeping more deeply.

>Energy will restore.

>Quicker immune response in your body.

After 1 week

>Skin begins to look dewier and more youthful.

>Hydration restores.

>Reversal of alcohol-related liver damage.

After 1 month

>15% increasing its ability to filter toxins out of the body.

>Metabolism will restore leading to fat loss

>Reduce risk of cancer and decreased stress level.

After 1 year

> Risk of mouth, liver and breast cancers reduces.

> Blood pressure and pulse drop.

> Your liver fat will start decreasing.

After quitting alcohol you will feel that your life will improve. These are some reasons to quit alcohol. Though it’s not easy to quit but not impossible. There are many hospitals which provide Alcohol De-addiction services. source

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These 7 Body Benefits Will Spur You to Quit Drinking

Stopping Drinking Safely: Understanding the Detox Process

If you decide to stop drinking, it is important to remember that it will take some time for your body to physically wean itself away from alcohol. This is because over time, the central nervous system adjusts to the depressive effects of alcohol, which causes the brain to ramp up its response in order for the body to stay functional. In the absence of alcohol, this altered state causes a range of physical responses that make up what we know as withdrawal.

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Alcohol?

For people who have a moderate dependency on alcohol, the first 24 hours of sobriety may be uncomfortable as their bodies detoxify, but after three days generally people begin to feel better. Most people will have completely recovered from the physical symptoms of withdrawal after a month, and are beginning to notice their health returning at this time.

For heavier drinkers, symptoms of withdrawal may be more severe and require medically-supervised detox. Like for moderate drinkers, these symptoms will begin within 24 hours of stopping alcohol use, but generally continue for a longer period of time.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Symptoms of withdrawal can differ based on the severity of the body’s dependency on alcohol, as well as what stage of withdrawal you are in. Generally, symptoms can occur as follows:

• 6 hours after your last drink: Symptoms during this period can feel a lot like a hangover, and may include things like a headache, nausea, sweating, vomiting, shaky hands, anxiety, and insomnia.
• 12-48 hours after your last drink: During this time, more serious problems can develop, including seizures and hallucinations.
• 48-72 hours after your last drink: A small percentage of people will experience deliriums tremens, or DTs, a severe symptom of withdrawal marked by delusions and lifelike hallucinations. This can be accompanied by heavy sweating, fever, elevated blood pressure, confusion, and a racing heartbeat.

If you are unsure of how your body will react to quitting drinking, consider reaching out to an addiction specialist to talk through different detox options and get a sense of what the first phase of recovery may involve. source

3 Ways Your Appearance Changes When You Quit Drinking

Alcoholism can ravage all aspects of your life, altering your behavior, damaging your relationships, wrecking your health, and destroying your self-esteem. Over time, the toll of alcoholism can leave you feeling and looking different from the person you want to be. You will see many beneficial appearance changes after you quit drinking, including in the mirror.

Negative Effects of Alcohol

Short-Term Health Risks

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:

• Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.^6,7
• Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.^6-10
• Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.¹¹
• Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.^12,13
• Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) among pregnant women.^6,12,14,15

Long-Term Health Risks

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.^6,16
• Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.^6,17
• Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick.^6,16
• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.^6,18
• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.^6,19
• Social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment.^6,20,21
• Alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence.⁵

By quitting drinking, you can reduce the risk of these short- and long-term health risks. source

Below are three ways quitting alcohol can help you look (and feel) your best.

1. You Will Lose Weight

While Drinking: Consuming alcohol in excess can significantly impact someone’s body shape. For starters, alcohol is very high in calories.  There are seven calories in every gram of alcohol; for context, protein holds four calories per gram and fat has nine calories per gram. In addition, drinking alcohol activates the brain cells in the hypothalamus that make people feel hungry. This is the reason why after a night of drinking people tend to have the munchies. Lots of drinks plus extra eating equals a lot more calories than your body needs.

Alcohol also makes it more difficult for your body to burn any foods you eat. The body flags alcohol as a toxin, and the liver focuses on breaking down alcohol before any fat, carbohydrate, or protein. When the liver is constantly working to process alcohol rather than food, you start to gain weight. In the case of heavy drinkers, alcohol can cause so much damage to the liver that it stops functioning properly, which can lead to deadly conditions such as fatty liver disease or cirrhosis.

After Quitting: Weight loss happens during sobriety when someone replaces their old habits with new ones: sticking to healthier meals, no longer binge eating extra food while drinking, and, of course, no longer drinking all those empty calories. After quitting alcohol, your body can once again focus on metabolizing nutrients.

2. Your Skin Will Glow

While Drinking: When you are struggling with alcoholism, your skin is probably the least of your concerns. But the effects of drinking may be more serious than you think. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it causes more water to be processed through the kidneys. This leaves you dehydrated and causes dry patches, dull skin, fine lines, and dark under-eye circles. Your skin may become sensitive to the touch and feel uncomfortable, even itchy.

Chronic alcohol consumption also elevates the level of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, triggering alcohol-related premature aging. This stress can break down the skin’s collagen and cause inflammation, leading to wrinkles. Cortisol can also aggravate other skin conditions like rosacea or acne, causing flareups and breakouts.

After Quitting: By replacing alcoholic drinks with plenty of water, you are allowing your skin to rehydrate and flush out toxins through urine and sweat. Your skin will regain its natural, healthy glow as you replenish the necessary vitamins and minerals lost from active addiction.

3. Your Hair Will Grow

While Drinking: When alcohol dehydrates your body, it also dehydrates your hair. The lack of moisture causes thinning, hair loss, and dandruff on the scalp.  Hair shedding is compounded by alcohol triggering increased production of cortisol and the hormone estrogen.

Alcohol also inhibits nutrient absorption by harming the lining of your digestive system over time, damaging your intestines until they can’t transfer nutrients to the blood. Without proper protein, the production of keratin slows; this protective agent bonds hair cells together and your hair becomes prone to split ends and breakage. Similarly, zinc and folic acid, which are essential for hair growth, aren’t soaked up by your follicles.

After Quitting: Your hair will regain its former strength as your body begins to repair itself from the effects of alcohol. The rate your hair grows will increase, and you’ll notice the change from hair loss to fuller, shinier locks.

Leaving alcohol behind and pursuing sobriety brings favorable changes to your appearance that you might not have anticipated. As you start to look good, you’ll feel good about yourself, and when you look in the mirror, you’ll see the old you again. source

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‘I Gave Up Alcohol a Year Ago—I Feel 10 Years Younger’

I come from a family of drinkers so I grew up around alcohol. Whether we were celebrating or commiserating, alcohol was always involved. My paternal grandfather was actually born in a pub and named after it.

Sometimes I would buy wine in a box, decant it into a litre sized water bottle in the garage or bathroom and slug that down quickly. My behaviour became erratic and I wasn’t able to meet my commitments at work. When I was drunk, I would look in the mirror and say, “How did I get like this?” and then the next might I would be drunk again.

I was also an emotional wreck. I had trouble relating to my family and I would get angry very easily. I was irritable, restless and I didn’t sleep well. I got to a point where I knew that if I didn’t reach out for help, I would be a dead man.

On November 2, 2016, I had a week of vacation starting and I bought myself a case of 24 beers. I was going to ration them out and have three or four beers a night. I put my son to bed at 8pm and cracked open my first beer. By 11pm I had finished 19 of them. Something inside of me said: “Kenny, your life is no longer manageable.” It was true.

I reached out to a friend of mine who I knew was in recovery from alcoholism, something I had never done before. The next morning she took me to a meeting for addicts. I knew I was home amongst those people because each of them told a story that could have been mine. I finally realized then: I’m an alcoholic.

In the 12 Step program I learned that stopping on my own is not something that I have the physical or emotional capability of doing. That program worked for me, but if something else works for other people, that’s great. There are many ways to get sober and 12 Step is just one of them. However, it was foolish of me to stop drinking on my own without consulting a doctor.

In that first week I had to call a complete stranger, someone who had been through the program, and ask them to be my sponsor. That was hell. But that guy told me to call him and go to a meeting every day. When I said that was too much, I remember he replied, “well, you drank every day.” I had no rebuttal.

For the first 30 days I was on what is called the “pink cloud.” I was very happy; it was like coming out of a bad relationship. The “pink cloud” ended when my sponsor said that I had to clean up the mess I had made of my life and all the people that I had harmed. That was when it got difficult and I started having doubts about recovery. You have to address what led you down the path to wanting to alter your state in the first place. I just wanted my life back, but instead I was encouraged to fix the old one.

It took me about 10 months to get through all 12 Steps and eventually I chose to put my trust in a higher power, something I was taught by the program, though it doesn’t have to be God.

I realized that I had been angry about many things in my life, all the way from childhood. Part of the program is recognizing that and letting it go. Then you have to make a list of all the people that you’ve harmed and make amends to them. It’s not just apologizing, you actually have to mend the situation.

When I was drinking I would go onto social media every night and lash out at people. I was angry, spiteful and resentful to my friends and peers, and sometimes strangers. I had a lot of situations that I needed to make right.

I had also stolen from people and I had to pay them back. That was hard. I’m a family man so it was difficult for me to accept that I had stolen whilst under the influence of alcohol, or in order to become under the influence of alcohol.

So, life as a sober person was very difficult at the beginning. Although my wife doesn’t drink, I couldn’t go to places where alcohol was served and I became a bit of an introvert. At our family Christmas in 2016, I noticed there was no alcohol and a few hours in I asked my father why they weren’t drinking. He told me not to worry. I realized my family had collectively decided to abstain from alcohol for my sake. It was very emotional and it absolutely meant the world to me. Now, I don’t have an issue being around alcohol, but it was hard for a while. source

From healthier-looking skin to increased mental stability, here are the health benefits of sobriety.

Robert Downey Jr. accepted the American Cinematheque award over the weekend, he chose his friend Mel Gibson to present the honor. 

“When people get sober they sleep better, have more energy, and can think more clearly,” says Dr. Dr. Brian Wind, Ph.D “Best of all, sober people aren’t damaging nearly every part of their bodies on a daily basis and aren’t waking up with hangovers or withdrawals.”

Sobriety isn’t and won’t be easy. Some benefits will be noticeable immediately, while others take time. If you have a substance abuse problem you may initially go through physical symptoms of withdrawal, but the benefits of sobriety certainly outweigh any potentially negative effects of withdrawal.

Physical benefits

• Increased general health
• Improved mental clarity (focus, critical thinking, memory)
• Longer and deeper sleep
• Increased energy
• Healthier skin and complexion
• Decreased risk of long-term health issues including cancer
• Better weight management and eating habits

“The before and after photos depicting recovery from substance use are very compelling,” says Dr. Lori Ryland”As substance use reduces, you begin taking better care of yourself by eating healthy instead of using, better activity, and often better healthcare adherence in comparison to periods of use.”

While sobriety will have a positive effect on your physical well-being, the benefits are equally as important to your emotional state. Emotional stability—which affects everything from your relationships, motivation, and general mood—will vastly improve.

“In general, an individual is significantly more emotionally stable and balanced when sober than during an active addiction,” says Dr. Dean Drosnes,

Emotional benefits

• Increased confidence
• Emotional stability
• Better overall well-being
• Improved relationships
• More motivation
• Depression relief
• Anxiety relief

the benefits of sobriety are manifested in several ways, including: mental(1) and physical health(2), markedly improved relationships with friends and family(3), as well as in your finances and career(4, 5).

Even if you are not experiencing these negative outcomes, heavy drinking can be detrimental both short and long-term. Getting sober may help to reverse or even eliminate the negative impact that alcohol may have on your mental and physical health, personal relationships, as well as your career or financial situation.

The Benefits of Being Sober

Physical Health

Heavy alcohol use has been linked with a vast amount of negative outcomes, including(6):

• Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver
• Alcohol induced acute/chronic pancreatitis
• Alcoholic myophathy and cardiomyophathy
• Increased rates of certain cancers like breast, stomach, oral, and colon
• Degeneration of the nervous system (decreased ability to fight infection)

Chronic alcohol use has also been attributed to erectile dysfunction as well as other sexual dysfunctions(7). Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with duration and severity of alcohol dependence as well as the amount of alcohol consumed per day.

Upon stopping the intake of alcohol, these physical consequences may subside. However, when a heavy drinker stops they may experience(8):

• Weight loss
• Improved pancreatic function
• Reduced risk of cancer
• Lower blood pressure

Mental Health

Heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with negative impacts on mental health. This is primarily due to blocking chemical signals between brain cells (neurons)(9). For instance, alcohol consumption results in slurred speech, slowed reflexes, poor memory, and impulsive behavior.

Due to heavy alcohol consumption the brain can adapt to these blocked pathways. When alcohol leaves the system it will continue to over-activate neurotransmitters that can result in damage to brain cells(10, 11, 12).

Alcohol use can also negatively impact sleep patterns. Similar to other sleep medications, the sedative or sleep inducing effects of alcohol are quickly adapted to which only leads to further sleep related problems.

Wile it can be hard to say whether alcohol plays a significant role in mental health issues such as anxiety, psychosis, or depression. Through the transitive property, we know that if these issues subside when the person stops drinking, it’s logical to assume alcohol aggravates those conditions.

Relationships with Family and Friends

Alcoholism typically has a negative impact on personal relationships with friends and family.

Studies show that higher partner violence is associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Abstaining from alcohol has the opposite effect and may result in less conflicts and domestic violence.

Alcohol can also affect a person’s attachment to others (partner, spouse, children, friends, and family). People who have attachment issues typically are less trusting, show signs of fear, and will isolate and detach themselves.

Career and Financial Situation

Most people who drink alcohol do not think about the impact of alcohol on their financial well-being. People who abuse alcohol are more likely to miss work and have conflict amongst co-workers and management.

Going to and from work may end up resulting in a DUI only adding more financial burden (bail, court fines, attorney, public transportation cost, etc).

Final Thoughts

Apart from the purported “holistic” benefits of being sober, there are fact-based reasons for why sobriety is beneficial. Including for your mental and physical health, personal relationships, and for your career/financial situation.

1. Your life becomes less chaotic You don’t have to live in constant turmoil anymore because you’re not worried about getting money, getting drugs or alcohol, and then lying or manipulating to cover up your behaviors. You finally get a chance to sit still and relax.
2. You sleep better When you suffer from Alcohol abuse is disruptive to sleeping patterns because it suppresses sleep, not permitting a restorative, good nights rest. Though you may have trouble falling asleep when you first get sober, you will soon sleep peacefully through the night and feel more rested the next day.
3. You feel healthier Substance abuse has profound effects on the body. In sobriety, you aren’t putting toxic chemicals in your body, so you will actually have more energy and feel more alert and focused! Not to mention the fact that your internal organs get to take a break from working overtime to process the drugs and alcohol. More Energy, Alcohol is a depressant, which makes you feel tired and slow. Without the constant effect of alcohol on your body, you have a lot more energy to work with. This energy can lead to healthier choices.
4. You look better Do you have sunken in cheeks, red patches, or bad acne? Good news – in sobriety, your skin actually improves! Without nasty, toxic chemicals in your body, your complexion will improve tremendously and you will gain weight back to your face, making you look beautiful and healthy again!  Better Skin, When it comes to improving physical health, better skin is one of the most noticeable changes in most people. People in recovery have a more radiant complexion than before. Their skin becomes clearer — and, in many cases, cleaner due to improved hygiene. Within the first six months of sobriety, most people undergo observable and positive changes in their skin.
5. Your memory improves We all have nights we don’t remember while in addiction, but shortly after detox, your memory will rapidly begin to improve. No more worrying about what you did last night – your memory will become sharp and as good as new!
6. Your mental health improves (no more brain fog) Sleep, diet, and overall health are directly correlated with the status of your mental health. As your lifestyle improves, you will find your emotions more stable and manageable. You will find yourself having less mood swings along with increased happiness. Alcohol is incredibly inflammatory. The long and short-term impact of alcohol on your brain is extensive. I won’t go into detail here because I’ve written about it before, but if you can’t engage intellectually with the world like you used to, you’re forgetting more things or struggling to focus, there is good news for you, my friend! Your brain can heal. You can get your mental faculties back! This one happened for me relatively early on, and that’s WITH pregnancy brain. It is an incredible feeling to have that fog lift. You quite literally feel like a brand new person. The ability to think, read a book, engage in an intelligent conversation, actually have IDEAS again, and not just loop terrible thoughts on autopilot in your brain is liberating. It’s one of the best benefits of sobriety I’ve experienced.
7. You worry less When you are sober and doing the right thing, the worry of getting in trouble with others or getting caught by the cops disappears. You’re sober, you have a job, you are being honest with others, you have a roof over your head, you aren’t worried about going into withdrawals – what’s there to worry about anymore?
8. You actually have money When you aren’t spending every penny earned on drugs or alcohol, you will be surprised how quickly your savings adds up! It is a wonderful feeling not to worry about living paycheck to paycheck and being able to have savings for emergencies.
9. You get to be a part of your family Regardless of the harms you have done, your family loves you and will forgive you in time. It is a great feeling to be with family on holidays and special occasions without causing them to worry about your drug or alcohol use. They will be able to rely on you and trust you, and since you have money, you can even buy them gifts for their birthdays!
10. You form deep connections with others Friendships made in sobriety are like no other. These friends understand exactly what you are going through because they have been there too. They will love and support you unconditionally. There is something about friendships in recovery that is magical.
11. You gain long term rewards Hard work pays off. If you put in the work to be sober and happy, you will be sober and happy. You will be able to go to class and study for school in order to further your education. You will be capable of holding a job, allowing you to move up in your career. You will develop a profound appreciation for people, places, and things.
12. You get to embark on new adventures You have the ability to try new things, travel to new places, and develop a passion for life after addiction. Since you will no longer rely on substances to survive each day, you will finally have the opportunity to thrive in life. There is nothing holding you back. Go climb that mountain, go snorkeling at a coral reef, go visit a foreign country! What are you waiting for?
13. You grow spiritually Spiritual growth consists of removing obsolete or negative habits and thoughts from your life. Mindful meditation is a great way to grow spiritually because it relaxes your mind and aids in coping with feelings of anxiety and stress. It is a free, easy to do activity that promotes healing and spiritual growth by connecting your mind, body, and spirit. Sobriety brings so much peace into your life. It allows you to become more aware and present. You understand and connect with yourself better. When you’re sober, the entirety of who you are improves. Happiness is easy to come by when you’re doing good for yourself, looking better, feeling better, and functioning on a higher physical level.
14. You find your purpose in life There is somebody out there who is hopeless and feels like they cannot stay sober. You may not know it at the time, but your story is the only story they will hear. Your experience, strength, and hope, is going to help somebody stay sober. You have the ability to change lives.
15. You learn to love yourself By staying healthy, having new experiences, building relationships, and helping others, you will begin to truly love yourself. You will treat your body and mind with a gentle respect, as you have been blessed with a new, sober life. For many of us, we have spent too much time hating ourselves. Being able to love who we are, for all of our imperfections, is nothing short of a miraculous gift in sobriety.
16. Less Stress People who abuse alcohol get to a point in their drinking where they cannot manage any emotion in a healthy way. Drinking is the solution to boredom, frustration, sadness, and extreme happiness. Additionally, research has shown that drinking any amount of alcohol chronically (including one drink per day) changes your Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA), which Maintains your physiological balance between what you do and don’t perceive as stressful. This leads to more cortisol released at baseline when you’re not drinking. Translation: alcohol increases your anxiety and stress levels even when not drinking. It was a horrible cycle of self-medicating my anxiety with alcohol which, in turn, only made my anxiety levels worse. I was stressed out all of the time and had no healthy coping mechanisms for that stress. Sobriety changed that. As a fair warning, sometimes alcohol withdrawal can have the opposite effect and make anxiety significantly worse, but it is temporary. It goes away, and you feel much more stable and clear-headed after the initial withdrawal period.
17. Less Physical Pain Alcohol is incredibly inflammatory. it causes joint problems eventually speeding up arthritis and generally causing more pain in the joints.  It wreaks havoc with your gastrointestinal system and digestive system.  It will destroy your liver, heart, kidneys and pancreas! It will cause your blood pressure to be high and rapid pulse can develop. PERMANENT HEART DAMAGE CAN OCCUR.
18. Self Esteem will rise overtime  When you finally get over those first months of early sobriety, you’ll see that you’re not so bad after all. People who are successful with their sobriety find ways to keep themselves busy. It’s through that process that many people start to forgive themselves and see the value they can bring to the world. Every day you go without drinking boosts your self-esteem, even if you don’t notice. When you choose to go to the gym or take a cooking class, you’re signaling that you are open to seeing what else this life has to offer. The cumulative effects of all these new experiences and choices add up.
19. Healthier realationships A lot of people feel lonely when they give up alcohol. When your entire social life has revolved around getting wasted, it’s normal to feel like there’s nothing to do. Re-evaluating your relationships with other people is part of the process. We all have to go through it, but the AMAZING thing is that you’ll end up with really powerful connections with the people you choose to keep around. You might think that emotionally unloading with your friends over wine and cookies makes you close or that your buddy holding your hair while you puked means something.
20. Better Sleep Pattern Sobriety is your body at its most natural state, so when you’re sober, your body goes back into a more regular rhythm. Instead of drinking until the early morning hours, you now give yourself a chance to rest earlier and get quality sleep. The peace of mind that sobriety comes with also makes you less stressed and more able to get enough restful sleep at normal hours.
21. Better Eating habbits Some people in recovery consider getting over addiction as their first step to living a much healthier lifestyle. Post-treatment, you may develop a consistent exercise routine to get your mind off drinking. Following a healthy diet is similar to this. They’re both excellent ways to improve your health and also things you can focus on to fill in the gaps left by addiction in your life. When you stop drinking, your body also becomes much less dehydrated. This lessens the chances of developing unhealthy food cravings. While eating healthier can help you stay sober, it’s also true that staying sober can help you eat healthier. For example, you can eat healthier because you have the energy to cook dishes instead of ordering fast food.source source source source

The Health Benefits of Being Sober

The Importance of Being Trustworthy

Why Is Hope Important In Life? You Will Be Amazed!

The Freedom of Forgiveness

Why Is Faith Important in Recovery?

The Advantages of Prayer for Addiction Recovery

Many people underestimate the effects of prayer in our lives, but for someone in recovery from a substance abuse problem, praying can come with several added benefits. At Faith in Recovery, we are looking at the power of Christian prayer for recovery to help you through the good times and the bad.

At Faith in Recovery, we understand that reading scripture and prayer can help people recovering from substance abuse heal from the inside out. A person’s spiritual state should never be neglected in sobriety.

The Benefits of Prayer for Drug Addiction

A.W. Tozer famously said, “What comes to your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” If you see God as slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness (Exodus 34:6), then you’re more likely to find comfort in prayer for addiction recovery.

While many people underestimate the effects of prayer in our lives, praying can come with several added benefits for someone recovering from a substance use problem. At our Christian drug rehabilitation center, we look at the power of scripture and Christian prayer in recovery to help you through the good times and the bad.

Hope

Recovery from addiction can be a trying time. There may be days when you feel like giving up and caving into your cravings, but one of the benefits of praying in addiction recovery is that it can give you hope. When you are feeling weak or struggling, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Praying can also remind you that you are never alone in your recovery journey and give you hope for a better future.

Improved Mental Health

Drugs and alcohol can have a major impact on a person’s mental health. Fortunately, prayer also addresses these issues. Some research suggests that regularly praying can lead to mental health benefits. In some cases, prayer has been found to reduce anger, feelings of aggression, anxiety, and depression. ^1,2 Prayer can offer some relief for someone in early recovery who may be experiencing these emotions frequently as they adjust to a new lifestyle.

Self-Reflection

Another advantage of prayer for addiction recovery is its promotion of daily self-reflection. We see this often in clients who recently completed one of our faith-based addiction recovery programs and are new to recovery. These individuals are often still trying to figure out how to navigate their sobriety.

Life can be overwhelming, drug triggers can be everywhere, and there are both good and bad days. However, prayer in recovery allows people to properly manage these distractions and get through difficult moments. As it says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” This moment of pause can help individuals in recovery better recognize their emotions and responses to distractions, as well as learn how to react better in the future.

Routine

Many people in recovery benefit from having a set routine in place. In fact, this is something we recommend to all patients in our Christian-based recovery programs. A schedule keeps them going when they may otherwise get complacent with their sobriety. It also leaves less room for boredom.

One of the many benefits of praying every day in recovery is that it helps keep a routine. Whether you pray when you first wake up or right before bed, these few minutes of prayer can help you get back into your routine when you may have otherwise started to stay away from the healthy routine you originally created.

Physical Health Benefits

There may also be some physical health benefits of prayer for sobriety. Research has found correlations between positive religious coping, like praying, among hospitalized patients with improvements in physical health.3 For people in recovery whose bodies are still healing from the damaging effects of drugs and alcohol, praying may help them remain patient, hopeful, and consistent through this process.

Better Self Control

One of the most important benefits of prayer for addiction recovery is its association with better self-control.4 Studies have found that people assigned to pray on a daily basis were found to have better self-control over their drinking habits and drink considerably less than the control group.5 This increased sense of self-control can further reduce the risk of relapse.

Prayer for the Addicted & Recovery

While most substance abuse treatment programs address the physical damage of drug or alcohol abuse, the person’s spiritual state may be put on the back burner. At our residential Christian-based rehab, we believe that prayer is an important part of the recovery journey.

Below are some prayers and Bible verses for addiction recovery that may offer you or a loved one some much-needed support.

Faith: An Overlooked Tool in Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery

There are 20 million Americans afflicted with a substance use disorder (SUD). And tragically, each year, nearly 160,000 die from alcohol or drug-related deaths. However, as we head further into the 30th annual National Recovery Month, one of the most effective tools to prevent and/or recover from addiction is often overlooked—faith. And when it comes to prevention, particularly among youth, faith is a driving force, according to a new report I co-authored with my daughter, Melissa, which was published in the Journal of Religion and Health. The report is the second commissioned by the interdenominational initiative, Faith Counts to examine the socio-economic contribution of religion to America.

Unfortunately, most Americans will find this surprising. In the latest Gallup survey, only 46% of Americans think that religion can answer today’s problems, but the reality is that religion provides answers for one of today’s biggest problems—addiction. Part of the misperception revealed in the poll is that fewer people are affiliated with religion today, resulting in less experience with faith and its positive impacts.

So, what are the positive impacts of religion on substance abuse/addiction that are outlined in the new study?

Overwhelmingly, research shows that youth who are spiritually active, participate in a faith community, and invest in a prayerful relationship with their God are less likely to use or abuse drugs and alcohol. By contrast, teens who do not consider religious belief important are almost three times more likely to smoke, five times more likely to binge on alcohol, and almost eight times more likely to use marijuana compared with the teens who strongly appreciated the significance of religion in their daily lives. And compared with the teens who attended religious services at least weekly, the teens who never attended services were twice more likely to drink, over twice more likely to smoke, over three times more likely to use marijuana or binge on alcohol, and four times more likely to use illicit drugs.

A host of empirical studies also reveal that faith among adolescents and young adults can act as a powerful deterrent against drug and alcohol abuse, even when controlling for other contributory factors (e.g., depression). Higher degrees of religiosity among youth, including religious attendance, involvement, and reliance on religious beliefs in decision-making, are associated with several benefits, such as limited depression and negative attitudes toward substance abuse. Adolescents who frequently attend religious services, who are involved in faith-based activities, and who place a high value on spirituality exhibit greater resilience when facing the stressors that can lead to the formative use of drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Studies also show that high school students’ attendance in religious services and their incorporation of prayer into their everyday lives can equip them with vital spiritual and moral guidance that will decrease their inclinations for drugs and alcohol when stressors arise.

The evidence on the association between religious involvement and/or religiosity and reduced risk of substance use among adolescents is overwhelming. Teens who attend religious services weekly are less likely to smoke, drink, use marijuana or other illicit drugs (e.g., LSD, cocaine, and heroin) than those who attend religious services less frequently. Further, religious practice among teens discourages them from taking highly dangerous drugs. For example, people who attended religious services at least weekly in childhood and adolescence were 33% less likely to use illegal drugs.

Adolescents also benefit from their mothers’ higher levels of religious practice, controlling for factors that also influence the level of drinking (e.g., the adolescents’ peer associations). Higher teenage religiosity is also related to other factors related to a decrease in drug use, such as good family relations, high academic performance in school, having anti-drug attitudes, and socializing with friends who do not take drugs. Moreover, teens themselves tend to cite their peers’ religious and spiritual inclinations as reasons that discourage their peers from drinking and taking drugs.

Our study concludes that the decline in religious affiliation presents a growing national health concern because the growth of disaffiliation is concentrated among Millennials and young adults, who are also the highest percentage of any age group to have a substance abuse disorder. In a sense, the antidote is being rejected by the very people who need it most.source source source

The Health Benefits of Being Sober

The Importance of Being Trustworthy

Why Is Hope Important In Life? You Will Be Amazed!

The Freedom of Forgiveness

Why Is Faith Important in Recovery?

Pigeon ‘Caught Smuggling Drugs’

A pigeon found in a Canadian prison yard with a tiny backpack filled with meth is carrying on a decades-long tradition of avian drug smuggling.

The pigeon was captured at the Pacific Institution in Abbotsford, British Columbia, in late December, according to the CBC.

John Randle, Pacific regional president of the Union for Canadian Correctional Officers, told the CBC the bird was in an inmate yard when officers on site noticed it had a tiny package on its back; that package contained 30 grams of meth.

“They had to corner it,” Randle said. “You can imagine how that would look, trying to catch a pigeon.” He said they captured the bird after “a lengthy period of time,” seized the drugs, and set it free.

Corrections Canada is investigating the incident, according to media reports.

While prison staff, visitors, mail, and drones are more commonly used to get contraband into jail, pigeons also have a long history of transporting drugs—and also wearing tiny backpacks, apparently.

A New York Times article from Feb 2, 1930, noted that pigeons with capsules of drugs like cocaine tied to their legs were plaguing the southern border. Being surrounded by pigeons is undesirable at the best of times, even more so when they’re participating in the drug trade.

The Times reported that smugglers were raising their own homing pigeons, a breed that can travel great distances and still return to their home lofts. Pigeons can fly up to 700 miles a day, according to the Pigeon Control Resource Center. 

In 2017, a homing pigeon carrying 178 pills from Iraq to Kuwait in yes, another backpack, was trapped by Kuwaiti officials near customs, according to the publication Al Arabiya. Conflicting news reports from the time said the pills were either ketamine or ecstasy.

And lest we forget, “Narco Paloma,” a pigeon busted smuggling weed and cocaine into La Reforma, a maximum security prison in Costa Rica in 2015, and then turned into a meme. The bird was turned over to a rehab center afterward—the kind for animals.

Customs officials in Kuwait have apprehended a pigeon carrying drugs in a miniature backpack, Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai reports.

Racing pigeons can return to their lofts from distances of hundreds of kilometers.

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Pigeon wearing backpack of crystal meth detained by Canadian prison

It was a bad coo-urier.

A pigeon was detained last month in a Canadian jail after it was discovered to be carrying a backpack that contained crystal meth, the Globe and Mail reported over the weekend.

The bird was found and later captured at the Pacific Institution correctional facility near Vancouver after officers noticed the high-flying fowl and its cargo.

“My initial reaction was shock because of all the advancements in technology and the number of drones we’ve seen,” said John Randle, Pacific regional president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers. “The fact that it’s tied to a pigeon is abnormal.”

According to Randle, the bird was apprehended on the penitentury wall after the staff set a trap for it.

“It was spotted by correctional officers, I believe, and security intelligence officers when the officers were doing their standard patrols around and throughout the unit and institution,” Randle told Global News on Friday. “That’s when they initially spotted the bird with the package on it.”

Randle — who has never seen winged traffickers in his 13 years as a corrections officer — stated that the smugglers would have had an easier time getting the drugs to land in specific location if they had used a drone instead of a live creature.

The official also noted that smugglers have recently had to go “old school” with their methods, as law enforcement has increased their awareness of drug-smuggling drones — something which, Randle said, the facility contends with daily.

“They have gone backward in technology,” he explained. “Maybe that’s because of all the work we have done with drone interdiction that they are trying to find new ways to get contraband in without being detected.”

Though the drug pigeon incident is currently under investigation, Randle said that the creativity of smugglers should be a “massive concern to everybody.”

“The introduction of drugs into federal prisons is becoming a huge crisis,” worried Randle. “The whole goal of prisons is to rehabilitate and release people into society as law-abiding citizens, [so] introducing drugs is scary and especially a drug like crystal meth.”

This is not only happening in Canadian Prisons but At Peruvian Prison, Costa Rica Prison, United Kingdom Prison and Even Kuwait

https://youtu.be/nC0sD8tZQNE

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By Janelle Ash | Fox News

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of icon Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, has died. She was 54.

“Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time,” Priscilla’s representative said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

In a statement to People, Priscilla also added: “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.”

Presley was taken to a hospital Thursday in Los Angeles after sheriff’s deputies responded to a “not breathing call,” authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Her mother, Priscilla, was seen walking into the emergency room shortly after Presley arrived at the medical center.

Priscilla wrote on social media: “My beloved daughter Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital. She is now receiving the best care. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world, and ask for privacy during this time.”

Lisa Marie Presley attended the Golden Globe awards Tuesday night with her mother, Priscilla, and was on hand to witness Austin Butler win the Globe for his portrayal of her father in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Here’s a look at Lisa Marie Presley’s life:

Lisa Marie Presley was rushed to the hospital on Thursday. She attended the Golden Globes with her mother, Priscilla Presley, on Tuesday night and is shown here with Austin Butler, who won a Globe for his portrayal of her father in “Elvis.” (Shutterstock for HFPA)

Entering the limelight at a young age

Being the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie entered the limelight at a very young age.

She was 9 years old when her father died at their Graceland home.

On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley was found unconscious in his Graceland mansion. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at age 42.

Elvis Presley and his wife, Priscilla, prepare to leave the hospital with their new daughter, Lisa Marie, in Memphis, Tennessee, Feb. 5, 1968. (Getty Images)

In 2018, Lisa Marie was asked if she ever asked her father for guidance. At the time, she told U.K.’s “Lorraine”: “I wouldn’t say I talk to him … I just remember everything. I can sort of pull out of the files whatever memories I have and stuff like that, and occasionally ask for help.

“Which was the case with this record,” she added of “Where No One Stands Alone.” I just felt like a hand come down to me, it felt like that a little bit.”

During the interview, she also described how she felt about seeing a quote from Elvis on fatherhood.

“There was a quote on the wall as I was leaving the [new Graceland] exhibit. It said something like, ‘Becoming a father is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’ I had never seen it before, last night was the first time I saw it, so that was really cool,” she said.

“I knew there was a great love there,” she added. “There was a really strong connection there since the minute I can remember. It kind of reinstates what I felt was the truth, which is that I felt like I was the most important thing to him.”

Walking down the aisle

Lisa Marie Presley walked down the aisle with Danny Keough, the father of her late son, Ben, and daughter Riley, in 1988. The couple divorced in 1994.

Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough in 1991. (Ron Galella/File)

In 2007, Presley spoke to Marie Claire about her relationship with Keough.

“I had been really sheltered,” she said at the time. “I got married the first time very, very young, and the marriage I was in, there was so much resentment about who I was because I had more than he did, and it became a power struggle. … So, in my mind, I’m thinking, ‘I know, I’ll get with someone more compatible.’ I wasn’t thinking what everyone else was thinking, which was that I must have been out of my f–king mind.”

Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough split in 1994. (Ron Galella/File)

Presley continued, “Leaving my first marriage, for the person that I left it for — that was probably the biggest mistake of my life.”

She was referring to Michael Jackson, whom she married shortly after her divorce to Keough.

Marrying the King of Pop

Lisa Marie and Michael Jackson wed in 1994, just 20 days after finalizing her divorce from Keogh.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson wed in 1994. (Stephane Cardinale/Sygma/File)

The couple divorced in 1996. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2013, Presley opened up about her marriage with Jackson.

“I got into this whole, ‘I’m going to save you’ thing,” she said.

“I thought all that stuff he was doing — philanthropy and the children thing and all this stuff — was awesome and maybe we could save the world together,” Presley continued.

“OK. Hello. I was delusionary. I got some romantic idea in my head that I could save him and we could save the world.”

Michael Jackson and his wife, Lisa Marie Presley, kiss on the stage of Radio City Music Hall in 1994. The couple divorced in 1996. (AFP via Getty Images/File)

Speaking on how she perceived her reputation to have been harmed following her marriage to Jackson, she said, “All I did get out of it was a s—storm. And I got out of it.”

“Now people go, ‘You seem somewhat sane, you seem pretty together — what the hell was that all about?’” Presley said. “It put a stigma on me. A ‘what the hell was she thinking?’ stigma.”

Presley and Jackson remained friends up until his death in 2009.

107-day marriage to Nicolas Cage

Following her divorce from Jackson, Lisa Marie married Nicolas Cage in 2002. Their marriage was infamously short-lived, and the couple filed for divorce three months later and it was finalized in 2004.

Lisa Marie Presley and Nicolas Cage married in 2002 before Cage filed for divorce three months later. (Busacca/WireImage/File)

Cage is notoriously known for being a huge Elvis fan. Reports revealed that following Elvis Presley’s death and while the actor was still married to Lisa Marie, he was allowed inside Elvis’ bedroom at the Graceland estate, which is strictly off limits to anyone who is not a family member.

During the week of the 25th anniversary of Elvis’ death, Cage was reportedly granted access to the room.

In an interview with the late Barbra Walters, Cage discussed his marriage to Presley and said, “Oftentimes when you have two people who are very strong and their own personalities and rather intense, sometimes you can have a hard time meshing.”

Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley officially divorced in 2004. (SGranitz/WireImage/File)

The “National Treasure” star had conflicting feelings when it came to their split.

“It’s sad, and I miss her every day,” he said, adding, “and sometimes I wish we couldn’t have rushed the marriage, and sometimes I regret rushing the divorce, but it just seemed like it wasn’t going to change.”

“The most upsetting thing was when he called to say he was sorry, wish he hadn’t done it, things like that,” Presley told ABC in 2003. “You can’t have a temper tantrum and then call me four days later and expect, you know, everything to be fine again … so, it was like that. … We were both like two 12-year-olds in a sandbox, basically.”

In 2006, Lisa Marie went on marry Michael Lockwood, with whom she shared two kids.

Lisa Marie making music

Lisa Marie followed in her father’s footsteps and produced a few albums of her own.

In 2003, she released her first album, “To Whom It May Concern.” Her second album, “Now What,” was released in 2005.

Lisa Marie Presley during an album signing for “Now What.” (Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

Her latest music project, “Storm & Grace,” was released in 2012.

Lisa Marie has done duets on some of Elvis’ biggest hits in the past. In 2012, she sang alongside her father on “I Love You Because.”

In 2018, Lisa Marie included her late father in a duet of “Where No One Stands Alone.” After the release, Lisa Marie spoke to ITV about the song and said, “I just felt really emotional. It’s never pleasant to sing and cry.”

“I had to keep my composure, but I felt very connected to him and to the song.”

Lisa Marie Presley performs her album “Storm + Grace” at The Grammy Museum in 2012. (Kevin Winter/File)

Struggle with opioid addiction

In an essay she wrote for the forward of the book, “The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain” by Harry Nelson, the singer-songwriter opened up about her struggle with addiction to “opioids and painkillers.”

In 2019, she described the dangers of prescription drug use and how quickly she became dependent on painkillers after her twin daughters were born in 2008.

“You may read this and wonder how, after losing people close to me, I also fell prey to opioids,” she said, most likely referring to Elvis and Jackson, who both reportedly suffered from addiction.

Lisa Marie Presley struggled with opioid addiction in the past. (Joe Scarnici/File)

Presley goes on to explain how her addiction started: “I was recovering after the [2008] birth of my daughters, Vivienne and Finley, when a doctor prescribed me opioids for pain. It only took a short-term prescription of opioids in the hospital for me to feel the need to keep taking them.”

She said that overcoming the addiction was “a difficult path” and that afterward she had “to put my life back together.”

Presley’s issues with addiction first came to light during her divorce from fourth husband, Michael Lockwood. While making an appearance on “Today” in August 2018, she acknowledged her addiction and said her issues started at age 45.

Lisa Marie Presley said she began struggling with substance abuse when she was 45. (Steve Granitz/File)

“I am proud,” she said on the show. “I really did come a long way. I have a therapist and she’s like, ‘You’re a miracle. You really are.’ She’s like, ‘I don’t know how you’re still alive.'”

Divorce from Michael Lockwood

Presley and Michael Lockwood were at odds after Presley filed for divorce in 2016.

Lisa Marie Presley and musician Michael Lockwood went through a nasty divorce after 10 years of marriage in 2016. (Jeffrey Mayer/File)

One year later, the ex-couple’s daughters ended up in state custody, but court docs at the time didn’t explain why. Presley did, however, accuse Lockwood of having child pornography on his computer. Both Lockwood and his attorney vehemently denied the allegation.

In 2018, Presley requested primary custody of her and Lockwood’s daughters but following the 2020 death of her son Benjamin Keough, Lockwood petitioned for custody. He reportedly feared Benjamin’s death would cause Presley to relapse.

A judge granted joint custody of the twins, Harper and Finley, to both Presley and Lockwood in 2020.

In a statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, Lockwood’s attorney, Joseph Yanny, said: “Michael hopes and prays that she gets better as soon as possible so they can do the best for their children.”

Death of her son, Benjamin Keough

In 2020, Presley’s son died at the age of 27. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office told Fox News Digital that an autopsy ruled Benjamin Keough’s cause of death as an “intraoral shotgun wound.” His manner of death is listed as “suicide.”

Lisa Marie Presley’s son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide in July 2020. (Getty Images/File)

At the time, Presley’s representative shared a statement to Fox News Digital: “She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11-year-old twins and her oldest daughter Riley,” said the statement. “She adored that boy. He was the love of her life.”

Presley’s last Instagram post – which was uploaded in August – was a personal essay she penned for People magazine, discussing how she continues to navigate her grief while staying strong for her twin daughters.

“Hi. In honor of it being National Grief Awareness Day, I wrote an essay about Grief which was posted today on People. I thought I’d post it here in the hopes that anyone who needs to hear all of this it helps in some way,” her caption of the essay read.

Her daughter, Riley, and Ben’s sister, commented red heart emojis on her mother’s post.

Michael Lockwood, Ben Keough and Lisa Marie Presley seen at the premiere of “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1” in 2010. (Dave M. Benett/File)

Lisa Marie’s four children

Presley is a mother of four. Riley, 33, and the late Benjamin she shares with Keough. Her twin daughters, Harper and Finley, 14, she shares with Lockwood.

In 2014, Presley said she was “ferociously protective” of her children in an interview with Healthy Living.

In an interview withe People magazine, Riley said that her character in “Daisy Jones & The Six” reminds her of her mother.

“I was raised by somebody who did their own thing and didn’t really care what other people thought. [My mother] was definitely inspirational to me,” she said. “[I was] always interested in women who weren’t behaving ‘the right way.'”

Sole heir of Elvis’ estate

Lisa Marie is the sole heir of Elvis’ beloved Graceland estate. According to Graceland’s website, Elvis listed his father, Vernon Presley, and his grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, in his will.

The gates outside Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee on the night of Lisa Marie Presley’s death. (Karen Pulfer Focht for Fox News Digital)

Following both of their deaths, Lisa Marie became the sole inheritor of the famed estate. “Vernon Presley died in 1979. Minnie Mae Presley died in 1980. This left Lisa Marie Presley as the sole heir to the estate. Elvis’ will stated that her inheritance was to be held in trust for her until her twenty-fifth birthday, February 1, 1993,” the website read.

Fans pay tribute on the gates of Graceland following Lisa Marie Presley’s death. (Karen Pulfer Focht for Fox News Digital)

According to the website, once Lisa Marie turned 25, she chose to form a new trust. “Upon Lisa Presley’s twenty-fifth birthday in 1993, the trust automatically dissolved and Lisa chose to form a new trust, The Elvis Presley Trust, to continue the successful management of the estate, with Priscilla Presley and the National Bank of Commerce continuing to serve as co-trustees,” the website read.

‘Elvis’ the movie

Baz Luhrmann’s biopic of Elvis Presley starred Austin Butler as the title role. During the press train for the film, “Elvis,” both Priscilla and Lisa Marie were outspoken on their adoration of the entire piece.

In June, Lisa Marie sat down alongside her daughter, Riley, for a special, “Exclusively Elvis: A Special Edition of 20/20.” The mother-daughter duo reflected on the upcoming Baz Luhrmann film “Elvis,” which stars Austin Butler as Lisa Marie’s father and Keough’s grandfather.

Austin Butler at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards. (Getty Images)

“It was such an emotional [experience],” Lisa Marie said in the rare interview. “Like Riley said, it just brings up such generational trauma in a good way.

“And Riley, five minutes in, was already like, ‘I’m done.’ She was already crying, and I was crying.”

Riley Keough, Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood, Priscilla Presley, Austin Butler, Lisa Marie Presley and Finley Aaron Love Lockwood at the “Elvis” premiere in Memphis. (Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock)

Keough, an actress and filmmaker, said the story is “really intense.”

“As a film, it’s just an exceptional film,” said the 33-year-old.

In an interview with Good Morning America, Priscilla called Butler “unbelievable” in the film.

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis, dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization

Story by Marco della Cava source

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, has died at age 54.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla Presley said in a statement to The Associated Press. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”A subsequent statement sent to USA TODAY on behalf of Priscilla and the Presley family expressed shock at “the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

Presley had started the week in a festive mood, first celebrating what would have been her father’s 88th birthday with fans at Elvis’ Memphis home, Graceland, and later tearfully applauding alongside her mother Priscilla as Austin Butler received a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic “Elvis.”

Earlier: Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ daughter, hospitalized after apparent cardiac arrest

But on Thursday, she suffered apparent cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, just north of Los Angeles, and was transported to a local hospital, according to TMZ, the first to report the news. She died hours later.

Although Presley was famous from the moment she was born and a singer in her own right, releasing three albums, she truly leaped into the pop culture vortex with her surprise marriage to embattled pop superstar Michael Jackson and, later, Elvis aficionado and actor Nicolas Cage.

Both those marriages were short-lived, although more lasting unions brought four children, including her son, Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020 and was laid to rest at Graceland.

Mostly, Presley, with her hooded eyes and smoldering looks that were patently reminiscent of Elvis, became known largely as the keeper of his legacy and the inheritor of his estate.

‘I think that he’d be proud’: Lisa Marie Presley, fans celebrate Elvis’ 88th birthday

Lisa Marie Presley recently celebrated Elvis’ 88th birthday with fans at Graceland

Four days before her death, Presley was in attendance at Graceland to help fans celebrate what would have been her father’s 88th birthday.

“It’s been a while. I missed you,” she told the gathered crowd on Sunday. “I keep saying you’re the only people that can bring me out of my house. I’m not kidding.”

Two nights ago, Butler thanked her from the Golden Globes stage for her dedication to honoring her father.

“Thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me,” he told the Presleys in his acceptance speech. “Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever.”

Fact checking the new ‘Elvis’ movie: Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas?

Lisa Marie Presley grew up in the shadow of her father’s fame – her name even adorning her dad’s jet – until her parents’ divorce in 1973. She seemed destined to lead a life in the public eye, thanks to both looks that mirrored those of her father as well as a notable singing voice to match.

“I thought it was an amusing notion, but I didn’t really see how other people would find it interesting,” she told USA TODAY in 2012, discussing a new Graceland exhibit called “Elvis …Through His Daughter’s Eyes.”

Among the more touching personal effects were a blue record player that spun her first 45s, her footprints stamped on a hospital birth record, and a re-creation of Presley’s nursery. “It’s all so personal and subjective,” she said. “But it turned out well.”

She made pop culture waves in 1994 when she divorced musician Danny Keough, the father of her children Riley and Benjamin, and married Jackson. Less than two years later, they divorced, although Presley remained a staunch defender throughout years of accusations of child abuse brought against the star.

She married Cage in 2002, but that lasted just a few months before they split. In 2006, she married guitarist Michael Lockwood; they officially divorced in 2021 and have twin daughters together, Finley and Harper, 11.

If Presley found solace amid the storm of being the only child of Elvis, it was overseas in Kent, a bucolic English suburb southeast of London that claimed a lot of her time and heart about a decade ago.

Speaking to USA TODAY in 2012 before the release of her album “Storm & Grace,” Presley said she was eager to get back to her non-celebrity life in England.

“I just love it over there,” she said. “I garden, go on long walks, cook. I have really sweet neighbors – we’ll often meet up down at the local pub. Not that we can keep up with them there. It’s so fun, though, it’s where you see everyone from the village.”

In that same interview, Presley spoke of feeling emotionally and fiscally robbed by her closest confidants.

“I was slowly starting to self-destruct, and I didn’t know where that was coming from,” Presley told USA TODAY, and suggested the damage was both personal and professional. “I got bad advice. I was insulated with no grip on reality. They were taking my soul, my money, my everything.”

Overcoming opioid addiction left Lisa Marie Presley feeling ‘grateful to be alive’

Presley’s demons also included drug addiction. In 2019, she detailed her dependence on opioids in a foreword to the book “The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain.”

Noting that she felt “grateful to be alive,” Presley said painkillers prescribed after the birth of her twins eventually led to a full-blown addiction.

“It’s a difficult path to overcome this dependence, and to put my life back together,” she wrote. “Even in recent years, I have seen too many people I loved struggle with addiction and die tragically from this epidemic. It is time for us to say goodbye to shame about addiction. We have to stop blaming and judging ourselves and the people around us. … That starts with sharing our stories.”

Presley would be forced to confront a different kind of pain in 2020, when her 27-year-old son died by suicide. This past fall, in honor of National Grief Awareness day, Presley wrote an essay for People about the pain her family has dealt with since the incident.

“My and my three daughters’ lives as we knew it were completely detonated and destroyed by his death. We live in this every. Single. Day,” she wrote. “Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life, in spite of what certain people or our culture wants us to believe. You do not ‘get over it,’ you do not ‘move on,’ period.”

In the end, Lisa Marie Presley might well have found the peace she sought throughout her life if she’d only been able to spend more time in the place she truly called home.

“I love Graceland,” she told USA TODAY in 2012 of her childhood home. “My heart will always be there.”

Lisa Marie Presley remembered: Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and John Travolta mourn death of Elvis’ daughter

Elvis Presley’s only child Lisa Marie Presley died Thursday at the age of 54

Lisa Marie Presley was mourned on social media Thursday following her death in Los Angeles. She was 54.

The songwriter, who was blessed by her father Elvis Presley’s musical genes, was remembered by Hollywood stars, including John Travolta, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and Octavia Spencer.

“Our hearts are broken with the sudden and shocking passing of Lisa Marie Presley tonight. Tom and I had spent some time with the family during the Elvis movie promotional tour. Lisa Marie was so honest and direct, vulnerable, in a state of anticipation about the movie,” Rita shared on Instagram. “She spoke so eloquently about her father, what the movie meant to her, that it was a celebration of her dad.”

Wilson detailed how Lisa Marie graciously invited them to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, and encouraged everyone to listen to Presley’s music.

“She had a sultry voice, a power and tenderness, that I have always loved. Our hearts and our prayers go out to Riley, Harper, Finley, Danny and Priscilla,” Wilson added. “A mother should never have to lose a child. Lisa Marie lost her precious son Benjamin, Priscilla loses her only daughter. It’s too much. Sending love to the family, prayers for peace and strength.”

A family representative confirmed her death in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

Lisa Marie Presley remembered by John Travolta, Tom Hanks, and Leann Rimes. Elvis’ daughter died at age of 54. (Christopher Polk)

John Travolta shared a photo of Lisa on Instagram and wrote, “Lisa baby girl, I’m so sorry. I’ll miss you but I know I’ll see you again. My love and heart goes out to Riley, Priscilla, Harper and Finley.”

“I’m heartbroken over the passing of Lisa Marie Presley,” Remini tweeted. “Lisa did not have an easy life, as some might think. May she be at peace, resting with her son and father now. Her mom Priscilla and her three daughters, Riley, Finley, and Harper, are in my prayers.”

Octavia Spencer wrote, “So sad that we’ve lost another bright star in Lisa Marie Presley. My condolences to her loved ones and multitude of fans.”

Leann Rimes tweeted, “Lisa Marie Presley… how heartbreaking. I hope she is at peace in her dad’s arms. My heart goes out to her family. Too much grief in just a couple of years.”

Jennifer Tilly was recently touring the Memphis home of Elvis Presley.

“So sad about Lisa Marie Presley. Oddly I was just at Graceland yesterday and took this picture,” she wrote. “The guide was telling us that sometimes she would have dinners in the dining room, and once she had a party for her friends in the plane named after her. Rip sweet soul.”

Elvis Presley’s ex, Linda Thompson, shared an image of Elvis with Lisa Marie and wrote, “My heart is too heavy for words…”

Cary Elwes wrote, “Rest In Peace, Lisa Marie. A sweet and gentle soul. We send our deepest, heartfelt condolences to Priscilla, Riley and her family and friends. Heartbreakingly sad.”

Elvis sold over 500 million records worldwide in his decades-long career and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling solo artist of all time.

Corey Feldman wrote, “Another person I shared deep emotion with has passed away! This is so sad & shocking! Lisa & I spent hrs on the phone as she was divorcing MJ, her son Ben was like a little brother 2 me, so much tragedy n their family, my heart is w the Presleys!”

Marlee Matlin wrote, “I had the chance to know @Cilla_Presley when I was on Dancing With the Stars and as a mother, I can’t imagine the pain she must be going through with the untimely passing of Lisa Marie. I have the image of little Lisa Marie growing up. RIP Lisa Marie Presley.”

Lisa Marie and her mother, Priscilla, were on hand at the Golden Globes Tuesday to witness Austin Butler win a Globe for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, “Elvis.”

Presley was “transported” to a hospital Thursday morning after sheriff’s deputies responded to a “not breathing call,” authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Lisa Marie was the only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla, and had a half brother, Navarone Garibaldi, from Priscilla’s 20-year relationship with Marco Garibaldi.

Riley Keough and Lisa Marie Presley attend event in Los Angeles with twins Harper and Finley.  (Jon Kopaloff)

She is survived by daughter, Riley Keough, from her first marriage to Danny Keough. She also has twins Harper and Finley with ex-husband Michael Lockwood.

“He had prayed for a different result,” Lockwood’s attorney Joe Yanny told Fox News Digital. “At this point he just wants everyone to pray for the girls, Lisa’s mother and for him.”

Her son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide in July 2020 at the age of 27.

God Bless This Family May they Find Peace, TRAGIC, so young!

Family, friends and fans of Elvis Presley gathered at Graceland on Sunday morning to mark what would have been the rock icon’s 88th birthday.

Led by Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, the annual event featured an Elvis Presley birthday proclamation from the city of Memphis, Tennessee, as well as a ceremonial cake cutting.

The event drew an unusually large gathering of Presley diehards – a number clearly boosted by the success of the 2022 Baz Luhrmann biopic “Elvis” – to the front lawn of Graceland for the 30-minute ceremony.

Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden welcomed the group. “I can speak with some authority having been here every year for a lot of years,” he said. “This is unquestionably the largest crowd we’ve ever had. You all come from all over the world … and we love you for being here.”

Following brief appearances by Alton Mason, who played Little Richard in the Luhrmann film, and Presley’s longtime TCB band pianist Glen D. Hardin, Elvis Presley Enterprises managing partner Joel Weinshanker spoke.

‘Elvis’ is one fried peanut butter and banana sandwich of a movie, tasty but overstuffed

Weinshanker noted that one of Presley’s career ambitions “was to be in an amazing movie, with an amazing director, and be part of an amazing film. And I think we did that for him this year.”

He added that Graceland was “probably the most famous house in the world, and there is only one person whose house it is,” he said, introducing Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie.

“I love you back and that’s why I’m here. Today, (Elvis) would’ve been 88 years old, it’s hard to believe. I think that he’d be proud. This year has been an incredible year. The movie is incredible, I’m very proud of it, and I hope you are too,” Lisa Marie said. “But it’s just so moving how every year you come from all over the world. It’s moving to me and my family … so thank you.”

Lisa Marie Presley recalls her ‘eternal bond’ with son Benjamin Keough 2 years after his death

Lisa Marie and Elvis Presley Enterprises officials then unveiled an “Aloha from Hawaii”-themed cake – the famed 1973 satellite concert event that marks its 50th anniversary – as the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to close the proceedings.

Celebrations of Presley’s birthday continued on Sunday, with Graceland officially opening the doors to “The Making of Elvis” exhibition, a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Luhrmann’s film, which packs props, drawings, annotated scripts, 18 character costumes and other items into a 3,000-square-foot space. The exhibit is currently slated to be on display through Labor Day.

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