Vital Voyage Blog

You think you drink to relax—but what if alcohol is actually training your body to panic? John Makohen, CASAC, explains how alcohol rewires your stress system, creating 'fake emergencies' that drive anxiety and cravings. This piece translates neuroscience into real-world patterns and offers practical strategies to restore calm.

Is $5.5 billion justice—or just closure without accountability? In this powerful and deeply personal reflection, Rob Kent, Esq., President of Kent Strategic Advisors and former New York State drug policy official, examines the conclusion of the federal criminal case against Purdue Pharma. For policymakers, clinicians, and those impacted by the opioid crisis, Kent’s message is clear: financial penalties alone are not enough.

What if the problem isn’t our children—but how we’re raising them? Nicole Runyon challenges modern parenting and mental health systems, arguing that connection—not diagnosis—is the foundation of healing.

What if addiction treatment didn’t start with abstinence? Dr. Andrew Tatarsky presents a model that meets people where they are, focusing on engagement, collaboration, and gradual change. This approach increases retention and creates real-world progress.

Psychedelic therapy is gaining momentum in modern mental health care—but the story isn’t simple. Joshua Bennett-Johnson, LADC-II, licensed counselor, explores both the promise and the complexity of this emerging field. Substances once dismissed are now being fast-tracked for conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction.