Your experience it worrying me! My good friend is coming home next month from Iraq and his parents and I are trying to throw him a late birthday/welcome home party, but there seems to be some problems. His parents attended a meeting this last Saturday in regards to his return like date and time and the Marines there were saying how when they return they all react differently. They said that some will talk about what they see, others will hide everything, some experience PTSD and some will return and will remain quiet even if they were outgoing before they left. His parents talked to him the other day and said you can just hear all the anxiety in his voice, but for some reason they felt like he almost wasn't happy to come home, like there was nothing to come home to. This worries me. I know my friend won't be returning the same way, I'm just scared it will be awkward and I don't want to overwhelm him.

You story is very touching. I'm sorry for your loss. I was watching the news yesterday and I think it was saying that it is already our 5th year in Iraq and we have lost over 3000 soldiers. I'm so thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line for my freedom! I also recall them saying that the war was only half over. I think the US is in so much debt over the war. I mean we are the only country that will bomb a place and then spend our money to rebuild it. I still find it hard to think that I am living through a war, it seems like I only would read about war in a history book, but we will be the history book that my child will read about in school.

Bella, I agree. It takes guts to come in front of the public and admit you had an addiction. She had no idea how people where going to view her and her as a musician. I want to get that issue of the magazine and read the whole article, it seems like she talks about dark sides of addiction and that one guy that thought she was homeless! I'm glad she is in recovery, I had no idea she was even on drugs. I like her music and hearing stories like hers is encouraging :)

Acai Juice is just really healthy for you. It contains a ton of antioxidants so I can see why it's on the list. 

In Canada a man was spared jail to go to rehab instead. He is a 33 year old who robbed 3 convenience stores in only 6 hours. He is addicted to cocaine and was probably trying to get money to fuel his addiction. Hopefully, this will work for him and maybe rehab will help your cousin too. Keep us posted.

I wonder when it will be known as a mental health problem. I bet in a couple years they will recognize it. Internet addiction is always in the headlines and it affects a lot of people.

I could probably go a couple days without the TV, but that would depend on what night it is.. I watch certain shows on Monday night and Thursday night so I think I could go without watching TV but I would have to watch those shows. Plus I usually watch the news so then I would feel disconnected from the world if I didn't know what was going on.

When I have a hard time sleeping I usually drink Chamomile tea. It really relaxes you and tastes good too.

I have noticed lately for me when I hear bad news I'm always in denial about it. I make myself believe that it isn't or hasn't happened. Then after a week has gone by and I absorb what has happened I get sad and take out my anger on others. I know this isn't healthy at all. I'm usually in too much shock to cry, but when I see that person and they start talking about it I lose it. In the past though I usually cried instantly and felt completely overwhelmed by the situation.