Sober Stories: Seth
What led you to get sober? I had tried to stop several times, and I would maybe make it three days, or three weeks, or even three months—but I couldn’t really get past that. I was probably drinking for two years knowing that I shouldn’t be. At the end, I was dating somebody that had […]
Jada Pinkett Smith’s Show Red Table Talk Helps Break Stigma About Addiction and Mental Health
Jada Pinkett Smith’s show Red Table Talk—which she hosts along with her mom Adrienne Banfield-Norris and daughter Willow Smith—continually works to destigmatize mental health and addiction. Pinkett Smith and Banfield-Norris are both in recovery themselves and have been candid about their struggles. Red Table Talk looks at complicated topics in a nuanced way that we […]
Is There a Difference Between Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon?

Millions of Americans struggle with alcohol dependence, so many resources are needed to help them achieve and maintain long-term recovery. After completing an alcohol addiction treatment program, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon can provide ongoing help for those in recovery and their families. The distinction between Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon might not […]
Polysubstance Abuse

Polysubstance abuse occurs when a person becomes dependent on multiple drugs, using two or more substances simultaneously. A person may use numerous drugs to counteract one another, explore new ways of getting high, or just to function throughout the day. Polysubstance abuse can develop if a person no longer feels the drug’s effects and wants […]
Amatus Health’s Avi Burstein featured in Authority Magazine
Amatus Health’s Avi Burstein was featured in Authority Magazine. He sat down with them for their “Heroes of the Addiction Crisis” series. Burstein is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland and the VP of Clinical Services. He talks about how he wants to make a difference when it comes to addiction. “I wish someone […]
Amatus Health’s Avi Burstein featured in Thrive Global
Amatus Health’s Avi Burstein was featured in an article by Thrive Global, as part of a series about “Heroes of the Addiction Crisis.” Burstein is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland and the VP of Clinical Services. He talks about how he wants to make a difference when it comes to addiction. “I wish […]
Honoring National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. This is a time to raise awareness that preventing addiction is possible—and crucial. Addiction and the Developing Brain People who drink or use drugs before age 15 are two to three times more likely to have a substance use disorder by age 32. Chronic substance use changes the […]
Christy Carlson Romano
Christy Carlson Romano, the actress best known for starring in Disney shows Even Stevens, Kim Possible, and Cadet Kelly, reached five years sober this past July. Carlson Romano has spoken publicly about the effects of being a child actor. “I have two friends from my earlier Disney Channel days who died by suicide…And though I […]
A Conversation With Author Melissa Febos
I spoke with author Melissa Febos over zoom about recovering from addiction, channeling addictive tendencies in healthier ways, and viewing substance use disorders as a way to self-soothe. First I wanted to say, I feel such a kinship in your writing. Besides being queer and sober, I have a history of all-consuming romantic relationships and […]
What is a Relapse?
Relapse is the worsening of a condition that had previously improved. In the case of addiction, it is typically defined as when someone who had been abstinent from drugs or alcohol starts using them again. However, this depends on what the person’s original goal was. For instance, according to verywellmind, an online resource written and […]