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

Families can make—or break—treatment. Veteran counselor Jim Savage outlines a practical framework for early education, healthy boundaries, and closing the gaps between client, family, and program.

LADC-II Joshua Bennett-Johnson argues that autonomy isn’t optional—it’s the engine of real change. A field-level story shows how honoring choice unlocks engagement and outcomes.

Peer recovery coaches provide authenticity, credibility, and hope that medicine alone cannot. Dr. Lauren Grawert argues that threatened cuts to SOR and SAPT funding could dismantle an essential link between clinical care and real-life recovery.

Content Warning: This article discusses opioids, overdoses, and substance-related harms. Nitazenes are a highly potent class of synthetic opioids often mixed—unknown to users— into other drugs. They pose extreme overdose risk, can be difficult to detect on standard tests, and may require multiple naloxone doses. With commentary from Subject Matter Expert Arun Gupta, MD

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.

After losing his 14-year-old daughter Maddie to suicide, Chris Coulter transformed unimaginable pain into purpose, dedicating his life to youth mental health and emotional well-being. He founded The Mentor Well, an online mentorship platform designed to help teens and young adults build confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Chris believes that meaningful mentorship—especially from emotionally intelligent adults—can change the trajectory of a young life.

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.