I used to think I was broken—too sensitive, too emotional, too reactive, too much, or not enough. But the truth is, I wasn't hurt; I was grieving. And not the kind of grief that earns sympathy cards. I wasn't mourning someone who passed away; I was grieving someone who was right in front of me—my mom. 

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.

We have had very little success in preventing intentional injuries, especially self-harm. Worldwide, suicide rates have remained elevated. The stagnation in suicide prevention is not due to a lack of effort. With the worsening opioid crisis and the rising prevalence of depression and other mental health issues, global professional mental health experts need to focus on rethinking suicide prevention. 

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. 

Family estrangement, or the severing of family ties, is increasingly recognized as a prevalent issue, with a significant number of adults estranged from at least one family member. While exact statistics vary, research suggests that roughly one in four Americans may be estranged from a relative.  

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. 

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?