Author of the Month December 8, 2025 Katherine Reynolds, Author & Wayfinder Recovery Coaching Tom O'Connor, Publisher Author Katherine Reynolds  is a Certified Trauma-Informed Mental Health & Substance Use Recovery Coach as well as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor . She is the founder of Wayfinder Recovery Coaching ( https://www.way-finder-recovery.com/ ).  According to Katherine Reynolds: Traditional Substance Use Disorder (SUD)  treatment often falls short in achieving long-te

Lived experience + clinical insight—defining adult child syndrome, risks for “rainbow babies,” and protective steps families can take.

Author Tim Lineaweaver shares lived-experience strategies for managing waves of sadness without self-medicating—therapy, movement, mindfulness, routine, and asking for help when needed.

Body brokers and sham rehabs exploit people with addiction—enrolling them in insurance, overbilling with minimal care, then ‘dumping’ patients when coverage ends. Here’s how laws and reporting can stop it.

Behind overdose statistics are children left behind. Sandy Rivers reveals the hidden cost of the opioid crisis: opioid orphans.

John Makohen—author and counselor with lived experience—details why people who are unhoused face steep barriers to SUD treatment (IDs, phones, insurance, transportation,rigid abstinence-first rules) and calls for Housing First, person-centered MOUD, and compassion over compliance.

Content Warning: This article discusses suicide. Dr. Ashley Smith, a licensedpsychologist and advocate, shares insights into why suicidal thoughts occur, how to support loved ones, and why hope is always possible.

Homeless people and substance use disorder addiction often co-occur, and, unfortunately, many people struggling with both issues are unable to get the help they need. Substance abuse can develop due to the stressors associated with homelessness. On the other hand, addiction can also contribute to homelessness. Additionally, many homeless people have an addiction as well as other co-occurring psychiatric disorders, which can further complicate their living situations.

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. 

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.