Recovery from substance use disorder and mental health challenges is often misunderstood as a single transformation—like crossing a finish line or flipping a switch. But anyone who has been on the path of recovery, or walked alongside someone who has, knows the truth:

Multiple Pathways to Substance Use Disorder Recovery is a highly personalized approach that focuses on strength building, individualized coping skills development, and utilizing resources. Helping the person with a SUD find their path increases buy-in tremendously.

The phrase "Lived Experience" represents a growing movement in the field of substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, emphasizing the powerful effect of individuals sharing their journeys to inspire hope and foster healing in others.

Critics continue to question substance use harm reduction. Advocates persist in fighting for it. But the data is precise: harm reduction saves lives. As patterns of drug use shift and risks increase, strategies such as overdose prevention centers, fentanyl test strips, and naloxone access offer a proven path forward. This isn't theory; it's survival. 

Author Nicole (Nikki) Currivan recounts her difficult path to overcoming a substance use disorder, ultimately achieving lasting remission. Nikki encountered many challenges with substance abuse as her Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) repeatedly moved her from one treatment center to another.

In early recovery, maintaining self-awareness is vital. One helpful tool is HALT. HALT is a well-known reminder for those in early recovery to practice self-care. Self-care helps prevent dysregulation. Don’t allow yourself to be consistently hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Getting enough sleep, eating healthily, exercising, and spending time with other recovering peers—while managing anger to reduce its harmful effects—are all critical for ongoing recovery.

The connection between mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness in America is undeniably complex. People dealing with mental health problems may turn to substances as a form of self-medication, increasing their risk of addiction. As substance use rises, it can lead to financial hardship, job loss, and broken relationships — all of which raise the chances of ending up unhoused. Conversely, the harsh and often traumatic conditions of homelessness can worsen existing men

Author Wes Arnett outlines Five Ways Working with a Recovery Coach Can Be Helpful. He shares that he is in recovery from substance use disorder and mental health challenges and is passionate about offering hope and inspiration to those in recovery or exploring recovery. He supports multiple pathways of recovery as he walks alongside his peers and advocates for a profession that profoundly impacts individuals in our community.

Author Dr. Saba Riaz will explore how trauma and emotional stress from early life experiences can disrupt the neurochemical balance in the brain. According to Dr. Riaz, “Addiction strongly affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that regulate mood, reward, and impulse control. Chronic stress and trauma cause changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that create a biochemical environment that increases the probability of addiction.”

Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. Pain is a natural part of life, but it does not have to rule it. Our thoughts and perceptions about pain cause suffering. People needlessly suffer for many years with substance abuse addiction. Unfortunate events, problems, and disappointments are the first arrows that cause pain. The second arrow may be self-deprecating thoughts, self-blame, or getting down on yourself. The key is not to grab a substance, alcohol, or drugs to heal t

In Part I of The Power Of Recovery, Chad shared how his addiction began and what changed his life.  In Part II, Chad will share details about his present life and ongoing recovery. His wife, Christy, will share her life story and the factors that brought them together. 

The Power of Recovery is rooted in the life story of our co-author, Chad Perdue, as he faced his substance use disorder.