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.

Suicide claims a life roughly every eleven minutes in the United States and remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Yet most people who die by suicide were never in contact with mental health services beforehand. That statistic should dispel any remaining complacency. The traditional clinical safety net—diagnose, prescribe, refer—cannot catch what it never detects.

Residing in the United Kingdom, Author Caroline Roodhouse is a mother, writer, lifelong learner, strategic communicator, and speaker on mental health and bereavement due to suicide. The suicide of a loved one can be emotionally devastating. Your grief may be heart-wrenching, and emotions can become overwhelming. Understanding the complex legacy of suicide and learning how to cope with intense grief can aid in healing, while still honoring your loved one's memory.

Every year on August 31, people worldwide come together for a cause that is painfully personal to many—International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). This day is more than just a date on the calendar; it's a powerful movement. It's an opportunity to grieve, remember, educate, and, most importantly, spark change.

It has been a decade since we lost our 20-year-old son, Charles, to suicide on June 5, 2015, after many years of struggle with anxiety, depression, and ultimately an opioid addiction. Has it been ten years? Why is the longing in the tenth year causing more anguish than in years 7, 8, or 9?

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.