Welcome To Vital Voyage Blog
Come for the insight. Stay for the solutions.
Vital Voyage Blog delivers expert-written articles, real stories, and practical tools that go far beyond information. From recovery and co-occurring disorders to trauma, ACS, and suicide prevention, we give you clarity, support, and resources you can actually use. This is where knowledge turns into action—and your journey finds direction.
Vital Voyage Blog Mission
Vital Voyage Blog is dedicated to providing insightful articles written by experts in the fields of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, adult child syndrome, and suicide prevention. Additionally, we feature recovery stories created by individuals with lived experience, offering genuine perspectives on these topics. We also concentrate on the changing landscape of recovery healthcare. Through our content, we aim to inspire hope, promote overall mental wellness, and build a supportive community for those beginning or continuing their recovery journey.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
To ensure every article we publish is accurate, relevant, and grounded in real-world experience, Vital Voyage Blog partners with highly qualified Subject Matter Experts. Each SME is a respected professional in their field—ranging from addiction medicine and mental health treatment to trauma-informed care, recovery coaching, and wellness.
They review our content for clinical accuracy, best practices, and emerging trends, helping us maintain the highest standards of quality and credibility. Their expertise ensures our readers receive trustworthy information they can rely on.
Thomas O'Connor
Tom O'Connor earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology. He is a child of an alcoholic father and grew up in a chaotic family. Tom is the publisher of the Vital Voyage Blog
Jonathan Russell
Jonathan Russell is a recovering addict and alcoholic. Jon earned a Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A).
John Makohen
John has extensive experience in substance abuse counseling, recovery coaching, and harm reduction. He is also a certified recovery coach and peer advocate, using his personal and professional skills to empower and support individuals on their recovery journeys.
Sandy Rivers
Sandy Rivers holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Human Services and a Master of Arts (MA) in Adult Learning, with a specialization in trauma and counselor education. Sandy is a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor and has worked in all aspects of treatment.
Belinda Morey
Belle Morey is in long-term recovery and works as both a certified outpatient substance use counselor and an online recovery coach on multiple platforms.
Joshua Bennett-Johnson
Joshua is a Licensed Addictions Therapist, LADC-II, at JBJ Counseling in Newton, MA. He specializes in working with individuals and families navigating substance use and recovery. As a harm reduction advocate, Josh focuses on education, safety, and reshaping relationships with substances.
Tim Lineaweaver
Tim Lineaweaver earned a Master of Arts (MA) in counseling psychology. He is a licensed mental health counselor, as well as an alcohol and drug counselor.
Meet Our Editorial Advisory Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Hi, I'm Tom. I was raised by an alcoholic father and an enabling mother. I wrote a memoir, Discover Your Adult Child, blending research with personal stories to help others overcome childhood trauma caused by an alcoholic parent. I am also the publisher of the Vital Voyage Blog. You can learn a little more about me here:
https://www.discoveryouradultchild.com
Hi, I'm Wes. I am an individual gratefully living in recovery from substance use disorder and mental health challenges. I am a recovery coach/peer support specialist who enjoys walking alongside and supporting individuals on their recovery journey. My other role is as the manager of recovery coaching at Recovery.com, which is a platform that connects individuals to treatment based on their unique needs and circumstances. You can learn a little more about me here: https://www.wesarnett.com/
I'm Michael Cline, the author of New York City Junky Days, New York Recovery Days, and My Adventures in Tuva. As a recovery-focused writer and former NYC resident. I document my 1999 transition from addiction to a life of global discovery. Now based in Spain, I work full-time as a content writer while contributing to various publications on addiction, throat singing, and travel. I’ve been living in Barcelona for over five years now, and I have to say that even though I have been sober for over 26 years, I’m not quite as open about my past as both an addict and an alcoholic. I don’t keep that part of my life private here out of any shame. In the States, I was always quite open about it. However, here in Spain, at least in my experience, addiction doesn’t seem to have affected the same percentage of people as it has in the United States. You can visit my website here:
Hi, I'm Belinda or Belle. I'm in long-term recovery myself and work as both an outpatient substance use counselor and an online recovery coach on multiple platforms, so I see this journey from both sides of the desk. Whether I'm supporting clients one-on-one, coaching folks online, or writing about the messy realities of addiction on my blog "Progress is Progress Mile or a Millimeter," I'm all about honest connection and breaking down stigma. My lived experience fuels my work and my creativity—I believe progress looks different for everyone, and I'm here to help people find what works for them. You can learn a little more about me here: progressisprogress.substack.com.
Hi, I'm Tim. I am a person proudly in recovery from trauma and addiction for over forty years. For the past thirty-three years, I've counseled individuals and families struggling with trauma and substance use disorders. On Cape Cod, I've helped develop various behavioral health services as well as suicide prevention. I've written, spoken, and advocated for recovery and am presently writing a memoir about my family, trauma, and how I recovered. You can learn a little more about me here: https://timlineaweaver.substack.com/
I have released a short, practical e-book called Developing a Mindset for Recovery, free to all my current Substack Wreckage to Recovery subscribers. Follow this link to download it, or subscribe for free.
John Makohen has extensive experience in substance abuse counseling, recovery coaching, and harm reduction. He is also a certified recovery coach and peer advocate, using his personal and professional skills to empower and support individuals on their recovery journeys.
"I survived rape, homelessness, and two decades on the street chasing dope. I was a sex worker, a hustler, a “street junkie” who refused to die. Now I teach others how to really live, through addiction counseling, education, harm reduction, recovery coaching, and the written word. My work turned my survival into service, and pain into power."
John is the co-founder of Educational Enhancement CASAC Online at https://educationalenhancement-casaconline.com/.
Joshua is a person in recovery for close to two decades, and works in private practice in the Metro-Boston area. Josh works with individuals & families who have been impacted by problematic substance & alcohol use primarily, but any compulsive vice will do.
In addition, Joshua is a featured content creator and executive partner for Brainz Magazine, writing articles about how he approaches his mission.
His mission is to help individuals “heal for real”. A proud harm-reductionist, he has worked in the treatment field for 14+ years and hopes to keep doing it for another 40, if possible.
Focusing on solutions rather than problems, hope instead of fear, leaning in instead of leaning away, he has been blessed to be a “Soul Sherpa” to incredible people, helping them to discover their expertise and build beautiful, sustainable, self-directed lives.
He can be reached through his website: