Content Warning: This article discusses drug use, heroin addiction, and trauma. John Makohen, a seasoned substance use counselor and author of *A Heroin User’s Guide to Harm Reduction*, shares his lived experience of life on the streets, the risks of drug use, and the lessons that shaped his journey toward recovery.

Brandi McCurdy, a critical care nurse practitioner and mother, shares her raw story of fighting a broken system, setting boundaries, and learning to love her daughter through addiction while prioritizing her own healing

In Part II of her Substance Use Disorder Series, counselor Belinda Morey shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, suicidal ideation, and the fight for recovery. Drawing from both lived experience and her work in the field, Belinda highlights how even in the darkest moments, hope can emerge through resilience, community, and compassion. This powerful story invites readers to reflect on the struggles of addiction while offering a message of healing and renewal.