Difficult people do not cause relapse - but they can create the emotional state that makes escape feel tempting. John Makohen, CASC, RCP, gives readers a clear, practical plan to stay calm, set boundaries, and protect recovery in real-world situations.

What happens when your identity doesn’t fit neatly into one box? Kristen Crisp shares a powerful lived-experience story about navigating faith, addiction, and stigma—and the emotional toll of hiding who you really are. This article explores how labels can both define and confine us, and what it takes to reclaim authenticity in recovery.

Trauma and addiction can erode self-belief and resilience. But perseverance can be learned.