The Cult That Promises to Cure Addiction By Longreads Feature For 50 years, Enthusiastic Sobriety programs have offered to help teenagers kick drugs and alcohol. But former followers say ES doesn’t save lives—it destroys them.
“Addiction is a thief of your goodbyes” By Krista Stevens Highlight “I got angry, my mother cried, the addicts got high. That became a holiday theme for years to come.”
Justin Townes Earl: The Saint of Lost Causes By Krista Stevens Highlight Fellow singer-songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield, who frequently toured with Earle, described his gift more simply: “He was able to explain trouble better than most.”
The Boom and Bust Cycles of Rock Springs, Wyoming By Krista Stevens Highlight “The day I turned 18, the Astro Lounge called and asked me to come strip for them. I have no idea how they knew I’d turned 18.”
Postcard from the (Literal) Edge By Longreads Feature In an excerpt from her recovery memoir, Erin Khar recalls the depths of her self-destruction as a heroin addict.
Addiction’s Seismic Effects on a Family By Sarah Evans Feature A mother confronts the painful truths of trying to save a son who’s a danger not only to himself, but to the rest of the family as well.
An Addict, a Nurse, and a Christmas Resurrection By Suzanne Ohlmann Feature Working the night shift on an intensive care unit, Suzanne Ohlmann brushes up against death, Jesus, and her biological father.
Breaking the Family Silence on Alcoholism By Alicia Lutes Feature Alicia Lutes contemplates her family’s history of addiction, her mother’s failing liver, and the effect it’s all had on her generation.
Paul Clarke Wants to Live By Rebecca Tan Feature When a promising student left a neighborhood full of heroin for the University of Pennsylvania, it should have been a moving story. But what does an at-risk student actually need to thrive — or even just to survive?
Addiction, Disorder, Disease, Call It What You Want: A Reading List on Alcoholism By Alison Fishburn Reading List A reading list on alcoholism, for both the hopeful and the cynical.
Heartbreaker By Beatrix M. Rooney Feature Beatrix M. Rooney discovers a tragic secret that may explain her brother’s descent into cruelty and violence.
Why “Florida Man” Really Isn’t All that Funny By Krista Stevens Highlight “Is Florida Man a hero, a villain or a victim? And is it still okay to laugh along?” (No, it’s not.)
Total Depravity: The Origins of the Drug Epidemic in Appalachia Laid Bare By Longreads Feature In an excerpt from his essay collection, Australian journalist Richard Cooke reports on the American opioid crisis through the astonished eyes of a foreigner visiting steel and coal country.
When Your Doctor is Also an Opioid Addict By Krista Stevens Highlight How one doctor beat his addiction to start helping members of his West Virginia community to do the same.
‘Writers tell’: The Devastating Contrasts in Life, Death, and West Virginia By Krista Stevens Highlight “Twelve years later, I birthed my son on my sister’s death day.”
It’s a Lovely Day for a Bike Ride By Michelle Weber Highlight He robbed banks. A lot of banks. Non-violently, with a bike as his getaway vehicle. Why? Even he’s not sure.
My Brother, My Self By Katie Prout Feature Katie Prout tries to untangle the story of her brother’s complicated, life-long battle with alcoholism against the backdrop of her family’s history of addiction.
Falling for My Booty Call By Sarah Kasbeer Feature Sarah Kasbeer reflects on a history of hookups — and why they left her cold.
Nic and David Sheff on ‘Beautiful Boy’ and Telling Addiction Stories Responsibly By Zachary Siegel Feature Nic and his father David Sheff’s memoirs about grappling with Nic’s addiction are the basis for the new movie ‘Beautiful Boy.’ It was important to them that the movie communicate what addiction really is — an illness.
A Visit to Opioid Country By Aaron Thier Feature Aaron Thier contemplates the connections between privilege, addiction, and recovery.
To Be Clean By Natassja Schiel Feature A tender relationship with a fellow exotic dancer shows Natassja Schiel how to love her sister, a recovering addict.
Purple Pain By Matthew Miles Goodrich Feature In the aftermath of an assault, Matthew Miles Goodrich considers the effects of opioids on himself, the culture, and his musical hero, Prince.
How to Stay Married After Your Baby is Born, or, I’m not Divorced Yet By Longreads Feature An excerpt of ‘Now My Heart is Full,’ Laura June’s memoir, about the challenges new parenthood placed on her and her husband — and their marriage.
Confessions of An Unredeemed Fan By Longreads Feature Leslie Jamison remembers Amy Winehouse, who passed away nine years ago in Camden, London, at age 27.
You’re Not Clean Until You’re 110% Clean By Michelle Weber Highlight Narcotics Anonymous programs offer community support — but turns away people who are using medication to aid their recovery.
Could Kratom End the Opioid Crisis? By Krista Stevens Commentary Only if the US government doesn’t classify it as a Schedule I controlled substance.
When the Answers Wash Out with the Tide By Michelle Weber Highlight Police eventually figured out who killed Jaimee Mendez, but not how or why.
A Motherless Daughter, Mothering By Ashley Abramson Feature An unexpected pregnancy not long after her troubled mother’s passing forces Ashley Abramson to navigate a kind of dual citizenship she couldn’t have anticipated.
Of Breakdowns and Breakthroughs By Jenny Aurthur Feature After suicides and heartbreak ravage her family, Jenny Aurthur finds she has no choice but be transformed.
Chasing Drinks with Lies, and Lies with Drinks By Katie MacBride Feature Katie MacBride recalls her last days using alcohol before getting sober.
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