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How To Talk About Addiction Issues

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Most people won’t think twice about helping their friends and family members who are struggling with health problems, but not many would do the same when it comes to chemical substance abuse. Addiction isn’t something to be overlooked or swept under the carpet; people have been medically diagnosed for it and if left untreated, it can have really negative side effects of long term use and be extremely life-threatening. However, alcohol or substance use disorder isn’t easy to talk about. If you’ve got a friend that might be suffering from substance abuse and would like to help them as much as possible, read on to find out more about what you can do to offer your support.

addiction support

How You Can Help Your Friend Or Loved One

Since those suffering from addiction problems are often stigmatized in society, starting a conversation about it might not be the most comfortable thing to do, but it will definitely be lifesaving. Here are some reasons why it is important to reach out to your friend, regardless of how difficult it might be to do so.

1. You don’t want to tell your friend how to live

It’s different from telling someone to get their act together. With chemical substance abuse being the leading cause of death in the U.S, it is absolutely critical to address your friend’s substance abuse problem — you’re not telling them how to live, you’re helping them save their own lives.

2. You fear that you might jeopardize the friendship

Your friend might secretly be hoping that someone will reach out to them, because humans are social creatures, after all. No one should have to suffer alone in silence — reach out to your friends before they retreat further into their own shells.

3. My friend’s vices aren’t that bad

Comparatively, alcohol abuse seems much less severe than drug abuse, but you’ll be surprised to know that alcohol is equally as addictive as drugs. It has been reported by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention that excessive drinking has caused one in ten deaths in working adults.

4. You’re unsure if you’re able to say the right things

Remember to not be judgemental about your friend’s addiction problems. It would be good to let your friend know that you’re willing to be a listening ear so that they can open up to you about any personal/emotional issues that caused them to become reliant on chemical substance abuse in the first place. Be it your loved ones, close friends, acquaintances or even colleagues, let them know that you’re always there for them if they need help. Reaffirm that they’ve always been doing a good job but that you’ve noticed a difference in their behaviour lately, then go on to add that you’re concerned and that they can confide in you if they’d like to. They’ll definitely be sure to appreciate sincerity and genuine care from you.

5. You think that you’re not in the right position to say anything

In some cases, family members are the last to realize that the individual is suffering from substance addiction and needs help. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as the family members being in denial of the situation or that they’re simply too trusting of each other to believe that such substance abuse is going on.

addiction 3

Signs that Your Friend Likely Has an Addiction Problem

The individual doesn’t need to abuse the substance daily for it to be considered an addiction, and even the most successful person out there could be secretly suffering from substance abuse. It is crucial to take note of both the amount of substance used and the effect of it on the individual so that you’ll be able to better assess the situation. Here are some common signs that someone is suffering from substance abuse:

  • Increased use of the substance, more so than usual
  • Jumping onto the bandwagon and switching up to try the latest trending chemical substances
  • Alcohol and drugs are incentives to individual
  • Erratic behavior and personality changes
  • Memory loss, or an inability to recall recent things well
  • Seeking validation for their substance exploits
  • Difficulties at work or home, which can result in skipping work or staying out late at night
  • Spending most of their time with their drinking/drug buddies
  • Has legal, money or relationship problems

addiction help

So, What Can You Do?

Find a time when your friend is clear-headed and rational. This way, it will be easier to appeal to logic when talking about the negative consequences of substance abuse that they have experienced/yet to experience.

List down a pattern of events rather an isolated incident because they may not be aware of what has been going on; plus, you’ll be able to give them another perspective on what they’ve been doing. It will be tedious to talk about this topic but don’t fret about trying to perfect your words.

The most important thing to do is to convey your concern. Be as supportive as possible, and don’t make it sound like they’re doing something “bad”. Also, be specific about what you’re trying to say. This will help them understand the situation much better and you’ll be able your sentiments clearly.

You’ll also need to be mentally prepared that your friend might not be receptive to your help. Even if they take it badly, always remain calm and reassuring. If they’re ready to get help, advise them on what organizations they can go to, like Narcotics Anonymous or AA.

Talk them through the options they can take, such as seeking an assessment by a counsellor, a mental health professional or physician. In the event that your friend doesn’t want help, you can just let your friend know that you’ll still be there for them.

Additionally, refrain from encouraging further chemical substance abuse. If they’re calling you out late at night for drinks, remember to stand your ground and decline the invitation — but in the meantime, keep close tabs on them so that you know what they’re up to.

Seeking help for substance abuse will greatly alter your friend’s current state of living, so you’ll also need to be prepared to welcome the new changes. Be as supportive as possible and help them reinforce the newer healthy routines that they’ve been taught to adopt; it will be an intensive period of time for them and you might find that their personalities are changing as well, but all of this will be for the better — your friend will be on the road of recovery and your friendship with him/her will be even stronger than ever.

4 Easy Ways to Save Money in Your Business

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Your business costs increase between 10-20% each year, therefore, it’s in your best interests to monitor where cash is being spent and how you can lower your annual expenditure. Paying over the odds on different aspects of the business can certainly eat into your profits and have an impact on your business performance.

If you own a small business and are constantly watching every penny, it’s time to look closely as to how you can cut your spending and control costs. Here are just a few ideas that you may like to keep in mind:

1. Lower your office space costs

Depending on the commercial property costs in your region, you may be paying over the odds on your rental costs. If location isn’t too much of an issue for you, it would be a good idea to move your office to a less expensive part of town, or negotiate with your landlord on how much you’re paying out each month, providing you do so calmly. Or, if you don’t have many employees and you don’t need a huge amount of space, you could cut costs even further by running your business from home or going mobile.

2. Save on bills

Just as you would for your home, you should be paying close attention to how much you’re spending on your business energy bills. Shopping around for the best deals when it comes to electricity, gas and broadband could leave you with more money in your pocket than you anticipated. Price comparison sites such as Utility Bidder allow you to compare business electricity ratings with an array of suppliers, so you know you can be sure you’re getting the very best price available to you.

3. Cut down on staffing costs

If your business has particularly quiet periods, hiring full-time staff members can cause the worry that you’re going to run into financial difficulty. Nowadays, it’s easy to hire freelancers who are happy to work and as when they’re needed and work for other companies in between. Similarly, some employees may also be happy to take unpaid leave to fit around their personal life.

If possible, aim to hire family members to join your workforce, so that you don’t have to pay a wage and instead, split the business profits between you.

It may also be a good idea to advertise work experience opportunities for odd jobs that need completing in the business over a set period, providing you have the correct insurance to do so.

4. Be savvy with advertising

Although advertising is a fundamental aspect of your business’ rate of success, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Gone are the days when physically printed newsletters, posters and fliers brought customers to your door – most of your advertising can be done online for a fraction of the cost. You can build an online presence by creating a Facebook page, tweeting about your company or creating a website that users can visit to find out more about what you do.

Other inexpensive advertising methods including cold calling and asking for referrals.

Are Desktop PCs on the Way Back?: Windows Leading the Way in Desktop Development

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As the world became obsessed with tablets and MacBooks for their computing and gambling needs – playing online slots and casino games and searching for bet and skill casino bonus offers for example – Windows PCs appeared to be consigned to the scrapheap. But, out of nowhere, a rising interest has seen a recovery of Windows devices. Could they really make a comeback amidst the Apple revolution?

Windows 10 can work anywhere

Windows 8 was a remarkably brave move by Microsoft; that hybrid operating system laid the platform for the now impressive Windows 10 that can run on desktops and tablets alike.

Machines can therefore be created that are 2-in-1 or laptops can be produced that have detachable screens. That would ensure that users can still run what desktop programs they need, something which the iPad cannot do, giving the Windows devices a greater degree of flexibility.

Improved hardware design

Windows 10 has a number of extra options such as their 2-in-1 devices with plug-in keyboards that have excited both hardware manufacturers and consumers.

The likes of the Surface Pro and the Surface Book are cutting-edge, but it’s not just Microsoft that has this innovative hardware with Samsung, Huawei and Acer all dipping their toes into the technological progression. Windows, thus, has its work cut out if it wants to rise back to the very top of computing.

Cortana arrives on the scene

Whilst Microsoft has been working hard to determine how to develop an operating system that works on a touchscreen just as well as it does with a keyboard and mouse, the company has also been making huge strides in the smart assistant world.

Apple has Siri whilst Microsoft has Cortana, but the latter can be downloaded on both Android and iOS too and it can take typed text as well as spoken, demonstrating its versatility as an app and enhancing its success as a virtual personal assistant.

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Microsoft thinking outside the box

Microsoft’s creativity has already been more than outlined, yet it goes further than just its hardware design. The stylus has been around for years, but the virtual pen acquired with the Surface Pro can make you sit back and notice, particularly those with a creative mind and hand.

But, Microsoft’s creativity does not end there as the company has sought improvements all along the line. The Surface Dial, for example, ensures that users are no longer limited to interacting with their Windows PC with the usual mundane and rigid keyboard and mouse combination.

Moreover, the HP Envy Curved All-In-One 34 not only has an actual curved screen, but it also possesses an integrated wireless charging pad for increased comfort and durability.

The proliferation of VR

Virtual Reality is becoming increasingly prevalent and popular in the technological world. Windows PCs have a massive advantage in this respect, given their experience in gaming. A Mac simply would not be good enough or powerful enough to support an Oculus Rift as a first-rate Windows PC would.

VR is only heading one way and that’s up. Virtual Reality is certainly a technology trend to look out for – particularly in the gambling industry – in the near future despite it being a niche industry at present. And, considering that Windows has always been popular with gamers, the desktop PC is certainly on its way back as the technology improves and requires a high-spec machine to support it.

“We Got Him!” Top Iran General Dead

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The United States has killed Iran’s top general and the agitator of Tehran’s proxy wars in the Middle East in an airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport Friday.

The precision targeted killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, is a master-stroke by the Americans, who have successfully hit the head of the snake.

Naturally the Iranians are threatening to retaliate, but these threats are not a worry because there is little Iran can do now.

The rat is dead

For Iran, the killing represents more than just the loss of a battlefield commander, but also a cultural icon who represented national pride by conducting cowardly acts of terrorism against the U.S. through Iran’s many proxies.

Something will have to be done soon because the Iranians are on the verge of enriching enough high grade uranium to make a few missiles.

Soleimani’s execution is a breath of fresh air for the Middle East, and will further bolster Trump in acting against the Iranian threat, finishing it once and for all.

Daily Squib Giving Away 100s Free Holidays to Australia Competition

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The Daily Squib is proud to present one of our best free holidays yet, that is after our Ebola holiday, and Thai Cave Diving holiday.

You will be jetted off to Australia, where you will be met at the airport by firemen to be escorted to your 5 star hotel in the middle of nowhere, which may not exist in the morning if you wake up.

The 5 star Australian hotels will have many amenities like fire extinguishers, ice buckets, and of course a swimming pool where you can dip your burnt toe in as the heat of the raging fires around you burn everything to ash.

Aussies love a barbie and a few tinnies, forget about throwing the shrimps on, this time you’re the shrimp.

Heat proof suits are optional for all competition winners, but are highly advisable to be worn at all times because the heat levels can reach in excess of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (537.78 °C) throughout the luxurious holiday.

Some of the hotels where you will be sent may be near the coast, so take full advantage to shelter on the beaches as the fucking fires rage around the surrounding areas. Do not go in the ocean though because the Great White sharks that patrol the shore line may seek to bite into your scorched flesh with their myriad of sharp teeth — kebab time.

Why not have a game of cricket on your holiday? The Aussies love cricket, and you can hit some flaming scorchers for six out of the grounds into the flames. Don’t try and retrieve the ball though because it will most probably be ashes in the Ashes.

To win your exclusive trip to the scorching depths of hell, ahem, we mean Australia, please send a SAE to : Aussie Holiday giveaway comp, P.O. Box 3429, London, W1 6DA, England by January 16, 2020, or call 0869 6969696 (calls cost £35,000 per minute).

Corbyn 2.0 Comrade Keir Starmer to Continue Soviet Putsch For Labour

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After Comrade Corbyn and his extreme Soviet policies were served up as stuffing up the Parson’s Nose this Christmas, Labour has been looking for something to feel positive about, despite the horror election results.

Who will take over the reins from the anti-Semitic Comrade Corbyn, the former Soviet spy who sold British secrets to Russia during the Cold War, and who sided with terror groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and the IRA?

Even when removed from the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn’s mark is still all over the place like an exploded nappy, the shit is all pervasive and the new leader, Keir Starmer, will no doubt carry on the Soviet hammer and sickle forwards.

For the Tories, the Labour Party is the gift that keeps giving and this is why Comrade Starmer will be another reason to never vote Labour again for the majority of the electorate for many years to come.

Tony Blair, was the only Labour leader to bring Labour electoral success, simply because he adapted his Marxist views into a form of pseudo-conservative manifesto that met voters somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. In fact, the socialism displayed by Tory PM David Cameron was indistinguishable from the Blairite chameleon political ideology.

Comrade Starmer, or Dolph, as he is known in some circles, will not be able to change Labour’s ingrained Corbynist leanings and if he tried, the party would be left with no supporters, such is the communist programming dealt year in year out by the Labour Commissars. He calmly tolerated every Corbyn policy and was his right-hand man during the disastrous Corbynist reign.

It may take many generations to purge the Labour Party of its extreme leftist communist doctrine now so ingrained that in many democratic countries, Labour would be viewed as a terrorist cult, but because Britain has so many extreme leftists now, it is seen as nothing special, even though it is thoroughly dangerous.

Corbyn 2.0 Comrade Starmer may even lead the party further left, much to the enjoyment of the ruling Tory party ensuring Labour will never be voted in again.

Entertainment Tech Trends That Will Continue To Grow In 2020

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The way we consume entertainment has changed dramatically over the past decades. First came the invention of the radio, which was eclipsed by the television. Later came the invention of the internet, which has changed the world. The way it spread into our homes has certainly influenced how we consume information and entertainment.

Much of our leisure time is now spent online, which means digital trends have become the strongest forces that influence our sources of entertainment. There’s plenty of money to be made in this industry, with its appeal to the consumer, but there is also plenty of competition.

This keeps the market competitive, which means companies are constantly striving to enhance the user experience, provide more content, and offer the latest innovations. That’s fantastic news for us, as consumers. We can expect exciting tech trends to continue in the coming years.

Online Casinos

casinos online

The online gambling industry has been growing, not only in the revenue it has been generating, but also the number of customers it attracts and how much of their time they are spending at online casinos. They bring the glitz and glamour of the casino into your home. With the thrill of playing at an online casino comes the chance of winning some money.

There are two ways that online casinos will be expanding in 2020. One is by embracing new tech trends, and the other is by reaching new audiences. Many countries have been reviewing their gambling laws, which means that operators are now setting up and reaching new audiences in countries like Brazil, and in US states that have changed their laws.

When choosing a site for entertainment, many users check online casino reviews. These give you an indication of what kind of experience you can get from the site, including key information about the games on offer and the payment methods.

Two ways we can see these features change is through the introduction of AR or augmented reality when playing games, and with the extended use of cryptocurrency. Not only will the experience be enhanced, but players will have more ways to pay securely and without sharing their bank details.

Video Streaming

The biggest revolution in how we get our entertainment, and perhaps one of the biggest video streamingmarket shares in terms of revenue, is video streaming. In the past few years, subscription services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have grown large audience numbers.

It isn’t hard to understand why sites like Netflix are so popular. They deliver lots of content whenever you want it. It’s created a new way for us to consume tv shows, with many episodes being watched one after the other. It’s also shaping the way content is produced, with the big TV networks no longer needing to be part of the production.

Many new services have been looking for their share in the market. Recently, Apple and Disney launched their own services. With TV networks, like HBO, offering an over the top media service through mobile apps, the market is now getting crowded. This means that finding new ways to wow audiences is imperative.

The way forward for video streaming is providing more original content. This has already begun and is set to continue in 2020. However, in order to boost the budget spent on creating shows and films, the companies will need to employ technologies to improve their other processes. Artificial intelligence will be brought in to help with content recommendations, pre and post-production, and many other tasks.

E-Sports

In order to increase in popularity and keep growing, industries need to reach new audiences. In 2019 and 2020, we will see eSports become even more popular and enter the mainstream. This will help many companies reach younger audiences, but it also embraces a growing entertainment trend that is fully embracing new technologies.

Streaming services like Twitch, which is a dedicated eSports platform, have had millions of viewers in 2019. In recent years we have seen eSports become a popular feature of sports betting, too, which is another sign that it is growing in popularity and will enter the mainstream. We can expect viewing figures to get close to 500 million by the end of 2020.

computer games

Augmented reality or AR and virtual reality or VR will impact this sport, which is being used by competitors, fans, and viewers alike. This technology aims to captivate consumers. It provides an immersive experience, which is well suited to eSports. Beyond cutting edge technology, we can expect to see more mainstream practices impacting eSports in the year to come.

Until recently, brands that are connected to the industry have been acting as sponsors, but we can expect bigger ones getting involved in boosting the support of eSports and to help them reach their target audiences.

Personalization

One element that we can expect to see throughout is personalization. It will be used to improve rewards and user experience in online casinos. For video, streaming personalization will increase with recommendations, and ways to watch more of what you love while discovering new content.

One of the main areas for personalization to be brought in will be advertising. As consumers, we are now much more aware that are details are being gathered and used by companies. Although businesses need to address the issue of trust, one way they will seek to improve managing data is by using it to help customers.

Personalization will be used to deliver information that is relevant to users. It will mean that products and content will be more targeted but also more appropriate and useful. In 2020, this will progress from being for a particular buyer to being aimed at specific individuals.

Digital Entertainment Innovation

With all of these innovations about to take place, it’s an exciting time to be a consumer. We look forward to making the most of digital entertainment next year. Advances in technology can bring us new ways to enjoy our leisure time and have fun.

We can expect the content we consume to be bigger and better. It will be tailored to us and will be more immersive, so we can have even more fun. 2020 will bring excitement, and the fast-paced nature of technology will keep bringing changes in the years to come.

Corbynista Rapper Storming Up the Pop Charts

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The music biz in the UK is in such a terrible state that the charts are now solely filled by banal caterwauling speeded up yelping female vocal samples, Antares RNB template songs, and low IQ rappers who can barely string a sentence together let alone a coherent thought.

This is why new leftist darling, Spitzy is storming up the charts.

Spitzy, is from South London, and has an IQ so low doctors have even declared it lower than one American rapping phenomenon.

Coming in at number 6 this week in the charts from a previous high of 18, Spitzy is now the darling of the leftist communist mob, and fully supported by the Corbyn Momentum group to his chart success.

When asked if he knew what communism, or collectivism were, the rapper in December’s issue of Melody Maker replied: “Is it summink to do wif da rozzers innit? Dey comin into mandem and collectin us to put us inda communisms innit?”

Spitzy, during the election fully supported Jeremy Corbyn, despite not knowing one single thing about communism or any other political ideology, and how Corbyn would have effectively ruined Britain forever.

“Red is my fave colour innit so dats why I voted for him, plus all da trendies did too so I followed dem because dey told me to do it, mandem bruv innit!”

Because of his celebrated low IQ, doctors at University College Grimsby studied Spitzy’s brain in October to see how he was still functioning despite having a lower IQ than a Paucituberculata.

“Spitzy’s brain is actually the size of a marsupial’s, yet he can still function in daily life. This for us is an incredible find,”  Professor Rheinholdt Valkyrie, wrote in Lancet.

Here’s to Spitzy’s pop chart success.

The Grand National 2020 – It Will Make Your Day

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You may have watched the Grand National on the telly, or in your local betting shop, but actually being there is a whole new experience and has to be done at least once in your lifetime. This is the Mecca of horse racing and you are the pilgrim on a journey of equine discovery that will blow your mind, and hopefully not your pocket.

Don’t forget to be loaded up with your grand national free bets 2020, as you make your way to Merseyside to join the crowds of race worshippers on Saturday 4th April 2020. Now is the time to start thinking of the races and planning your trip, it will take a lot off your mind if you sort things out months in advance, so when the day comes it will go swimmingly.

Travelling to the Grand National will also be something that you will need to attend to. If you have VIP status and a chauffeur driven Bentley, you’re okay, but for others with less luck, you may dispense with the car and simply take the train, at least this way, you and your entourage can drink as much booze as you want without any trouble. The surrounding roads on the day will naturally be jammed, so this is another great reason to train it, and avoid getting stuck in one of those ghastly queues. Make sure on the day to get to Aintree early so you can check out the paddocks, and walk the course.

Demand for tickets at the Grand National is immense, so if you want to get there, get them now before you’re too late. Unfortunately, because of the huge volume of punters, turning up on the day and queuing to buy a ticket is out of the question these days.

Dressing appropriately for this grand occasion is of course a prerequisite, and naturally the ladies will have all their hats and gowns out in the name of fashion for Ladies Day on the Friday. As for the men, don’t forget to get totally boozed up so you can be photographed brawling or stumbling over the course and featured in some tabloid the next day, if that’s your sort of thing.

The forty horses that will run the Grand National have quite a feat on their hands, as they have to jump over the assorted fences at speed in a crowded field. By walking the course when you arrive in Aintree, you will see for yourself the sheer height the horses and jockeys have to traverse to win the race. Many horses fail to jump the fences and are left behind in the course, sometimes even the shorter fences catch the horses. The spruce fences, due to modern health and safety rules have been reduced in height from the original race height, but it is still quite a strain on the horses even today. Each fence has its own name, the most famous being the Chair which is the tallest, and Foinavan which is the shortest.

The thousands who will be attending the Grand National will all be milling around, don’t forget to check out the horses saddle up in the pre-race parade, this will also give you the opportunity to check out the high-fliers and put down your bets. You can check out the pedigree horses in all their magnificence before the race as well as the jockeys to make your final decision.

Finally, you’re in the grandstand, the crowd roars as they’re off. The sheer excitement and atmosphere is electric as you see your chosen horse running through the rest of the pack..will they win? Can’t wait to find out.

Here’s last year’s Grand National at Aintree to whet your appetite.

CIA Using New CGI Cats Film to Torture Terrorists

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The new Cats film is so awful that it is being used by CIA operatives to torture terrorists into revealing important information that will save lives.

Cats, the creepy CGI monstrosity which is set to lose over $100 million at the Box Office, is so terrible to watch that the CIA now uses it to extract information from terrorists, and spies.

The film’s budget is estimated at $98 million plus a global publicity and advertising spend of roughly $115 million, but has only taken $18 million at the Box Office so far.

Furry tits

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one CIA operative praised the new Cats film for making his job a lot easier.

“Usually it takes weeks to extract information from some of these hardened terrorists and well trained spies, but all we have to now is play the Cats movie to them and the screaming starts. The most anyone has gone through the film is 35 minutes before collapsing in a catatonic state. They then sing like canaries, and we don’t have to get the waterboard kit out any more.”

The Central Intelligence Agency cannot praise the likes of Judy Dench and Taylor-Swift enough.

“Thanks to the Cats movie, we have acquired information that we would never have gotten years ago with the old extraction techniques, although the film is so effective, we have actually lost a few subjects who sadly expired during the screening of the movie, all in all, many innocent lives were saved due to the tortuous film as we thwarted domestic and International terror operations from continuing.”