Joshua Bennett-Johnson, LADC-II, a licensed counselor with 14 years' experience, argues that the for-profit rehab model focuses more on billing, marketing, insurance, luxury amenities, and short-term stabilization than long-term recovery. The article urges readers to scrutinize patient brokering, revolving-door treatment, underuse of medication-assisted treatment, and weak aftercare.

AI chatbots are becoming part of everyday life, including moments of stress, loneliness, and emotional uncertainty. Rachel Winston explains why these tools can feel appealing—available 24/7, responsive, and nonjudgmental—while also raising serious concerns for people already facing mental health challenges. This piece helps users and families understand the risks and think more carefully about safer, more informed use.

John Makohen, CASAC emerging research into psychedelics, ketamine, and neuroplasticity, and how they are reshaping conversations around recovery and mental health.

What happens when emotional support is always available—but isn’t human? Author Caz Burrell explores why millions are turning to AI for therapy-like support—and the real risks behind that shift.

Polysubstance use is now the reality for many people in addiction, but most recovery models haven’t caught up.

Attorney and advocate Robert Kent gives us an inside look at legal challenges facing social media companies and their role in mental health harm, addiction, and youth outcomes—bridging policy and behavioral health.

Dr. Ashley Smith challenges readers to examine despair and asks who truly benefits from hopelessness. She makes the case for fierce, active hope — not denial — as a deliberate choice that empowers action.

A call for accountability and federal standards in addiction treatment.

Belinda Morey reflects on recovery, growth, and the lessons 2025 taught us about healing, connection, and humanity.

With over 500 therapy modalities available, why are so many people still stuck? This piece questions whether healing has become too intellectualized — and whether true recovery has less to do with techniques and more to do with presence, safety, and human connection.

This isn’t about fixing one broken part — it’s about seeing the whole human being. Addiction recovery fails when it ignores trauma, housing, relationships, and community. This article challenges the outdated treatment-only model and explores what real, sustainable healing actually looks like.

Are you stuck in survival mode? When Survival Becomes A Diagnosis, refers to a state of ongoing stress and survival mode that can cause various mental and physical health problems. This happens when the body's natural stress response, known as the fight-or-flight response, stays active over time, impacting different bodily systems and mental functions. While survival mode is a normal stress response, long-term activation can lead to negative effects.