Kristen Crisp writes with sharp humor and lived-experience honesty about the reasons she kept drinking for more than 30 years. From low self-esteem and “liquid courage” to the social pressure that made sobriety seem strange, this Author of the Month piece names the loops that can keep alcohol feeling normal long after it has stopped being fun. It is direct, funny, uncomfortable, and deeply human.

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.

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.

Belinda Morey explores how GLP-1 medications, long-acting implants, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and telehealth are reshaping addiction treatment in 2026. By targeting the biology of cravings and increasing consistency and accessibility, these innovations are offering new hope for sustainable recovery — while reinforcing that medication and technology work best when paired with therapy, support, and daily commitment.

A deeply honest reflection on why moderation fails and why sobriety requires clarity, not negotiation.

A raw, reflective recovery essay exploring the seductive pull of substances—the honey—and the inevitable consequences that follow.

Andy reflects on the clarity of six sober weeks—and the unraveling that followed when old habits resurfaced.