“Sticks and stones” was never the whole truth. In this Author of the Month reflection, Joshua Bennett-Johnson looks back on childhood bullying from both sides: the child who used cruelty to feel bigger, and the child who later felt the sting of public humiliation. The result is a candid, human essay about shame, empathy, repair, and why words can leave wounds long after the moment passes.

Addiction medicine can be clinical, complicated, and painfully serious. But sometimes a story arrives that is so human—and so oddly perfect—that it reminds us why the field exists. Dr. Lauren Grawert shares the story of Rick, a newly sober patient whose Antabuse became more than a medication. In one tense marital moment, it became proof, protection, and a turning point in rebuilding trust.

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.

ADHD and substance use disorders often travel together, and Dr. Lauren Grawert explains why that overlap is not simply a coincidence. Drawing on genetic, clinical, and treatment research, she describes shared risk, the dangers of untreated ADHD, and the importance of coordinated care. The article also challenges the idea that ADHD treatment should wait until substance use is fully in remission, offering a more integrated path for better recovery and functional outcomes.

Author and founder of Brain Body Recovery, Heather Dale, writes that understanding addiction is important—but insight alone may not be enough when the brain and body are still dysregulated.

Author of the Month Joshua Bennett-Johnson writes that real therapy is not always soft, calm, or comfortable. Sometimes the deepest breakthroughs happen when things become emotionally difficult.

Author Tammy Adler Foeller clearly explains that the opioid crisis did not begin on the streets. It began through systems, messaging, and misplaced trust in American healthcare.

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.

Author of the Month Joshua Bennett-Johnson, LADC-II, takes a raw look at how the Sacklers and Purdue Pharma engineered a national addiction crisis and monetized it.

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.