Where recovery meets policy, perception, and the public square. Reporting and essays on the laws, language, and cultural narratives that shape sober life outdoors.
Gen Z has slashed alcohol consumption by 25% while building recovery communities on TikTok and fueling a $1.5 trillion wellness industry. A therapist in long term recovery investigates whether public confession and bottled calm can replace the quiet work of learning to feel.
The nation just had its best year against opioids in decades. Colorado was one of only seven states where deaths kept climbing. We explore the data, the policy debate, and what it means for our recovery community.
You become the distraction. As long as you are the disaster, Mom does not have to look at her depression. As long as you are the "wild one" then Dad does not have to look at his own rage. You are the glue keeping their false reality together.
The thing about storms is they never really end… They just change shape.But the story isn’t all loss. The other half of this work… The part people don’t always see… Is what happens quietly between the crises.
Something is happening. It’s a groundswell, a seismic shift in the tectonic plates of our culture that’s been a long, long time coming. You can feel it in the air, you can see it in the choices people are making, and now, the hard data is screaming it from the mountaintops. The once-unquestioned reign of alcohol is beginning to crumble, and frankly, it’s about damn time.
Let me be unmistakably clear: The inhumanity unfolding before us now is as destructive, merciless, and devastating as the worst addiction I’ve ever encountered. Lives are shattered. Hearts are breaking. Families are devastated. This is an addiction to cruelty—a systemic violence that runs on fear and destroys hope with each raid, each arrest, each child’s cry in the night.
“This wasn’t a rhetorical question. He wasn’t looking to debate treatment modalities or argue about what “worked for him.” No, he was asking because he wanted the answer—desperately. You could see it in his eyes. This wasn’t curiosity. This was hope. The kind that clings to a lifeline, even when the waters have dragged you under more times than you can count.”
Importantly, Alcohol Awareness Month is also about celebrating recovery and hope. Many events highlight stories of those who have overcome alcohol problems, putting a spotlight on the fact that people can and do recover – in fact, it’s estimated that as many as 20 million Americans (including family members) are living lives in recovery from alcohol-related issues.
Why does this matter? Because the stigma surrounding addiction often prevents people from seeking help. Sheff makes it clear that we need to stop asking, “Why can’t they just stop?” and start asking, “What can we do to help them heal?” This shift in perspective is critical, and it’s something I wish more people understood.
Miech and his colleagues provide a comprehensive review of the concerning rise in vaping among adolescents, focusing on both nicotine and cannabis products. The article highlights the health risks associated with vaping, including addiction, respiratory issues, and potential impacts on brain development.
DeFulio and Silverman offer an insightful review of contingency management (CM) as an evidence-based intervention for substance use disorders. CM involves providing tangible rewards, such as vouchers or prizes, contingent on demonstrating positive behaviors like abstinence or treatment adherence.
Wells and her team examine the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use patterns and mental health outcomes. This study resonates deeply with the experiences I've observed within our community during these challenging times.
As someone who has walked the winding paths of both the great outdoors and the tumultuous landscape of addiction, I've come to a profound realization: our society desperately needs a paradigm shift in how we perceive and address substance use disorder (SUD). It's high time we cast aside the outdated stigmas that shackle those struggling with addiction and embrace a more compassionate, informed approach.
n a world where challenges often seem insurmountable, organizations dedicated to empowering individuals in their journey to recovery stand out as beacons of hope. One such organization making a significant impact is Young People in Recovery (YPR). Founded on the principles of support, advocacy, and community, YPR is on a mission to transform the lives of young people affected by substance use disorder.
n a world where challenges often seem insurmountable, organizations dedicated to empowering individuals in their journey to recovery stand out as beacons of hope. One such organization making a significant impact is Young People in Recovery (YPR). Founded on the principles of support, advocacy, and community, YPR is on a mission to transform the lives of young people affected by substance use disorder.
I vividly remember standing in my Brooklyn shower, staring at my chipped nail polish, hoping that the poison from the night before would wash down the drain. I knew that something had to change; I didn’t want to feel that way anymore.
Bogenschutz and his team present a groundbreaking study exploring the potential of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). As someone who advocates for innovative approaches to addiction treatment, I found this research both promising and thought-provoking.
In this comprehensive meta-analysis, Tofighi and colleagues evaluate the effectiveness of digital health interventions (DHIs) for substance use disorders (SUDs). With the increasing integration of technology into healthcare, this article is both timely and relevant.
In "The Evolving Opioid Crisis: Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioids," Dr. Nora Volkow and Dr. Eric Wargo examine the alarming rise in overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, marking a new and more dangerous phase of the opioid epidemic in the United States.