The word “powerless” is often the first thing people hear in recovery — but for many, it doesn’t feel very empowering. In this blog, I explore how the language of traditional 12-step programs can sometimes clash with the needs of trauma survivors and modern recovery seekers. While admitting we need help is vital, recovery isn’t about giving up power: it’s about reclaiming it. Empowered recovery means recognizing that we have the strength to heal, with support, on our own terms.

Why is it that when someone uses medication for a heart condition, we just call it treatment — but when it’s for addiction, we call it “medication-assisted” and question its validity? As someone who survived multiple overdoses and was kept alive by Suboxone, I know firsthand how damaging this stigma can be. The shame I felt for “not being truly sober” led me to taper off too soon, and I nearly died. This post explores the life-saving role of medication in substance use recovery, why the stigma needs to end, and why it’s time we drop the judgment and just call it what it is: treatment.

We often hear that addiction hijacks the brain — but what’s less talked about is how recovery can help restore it. Thanks to the science of neuroplasticity, healing isn’t just possible — it’s physiological.

Stigma isn’t just a word — it’s a barrier. It shows up in conversations, in healthcare, in policy, and in the very way we talk about people who use substances. This post explores how stigma harms people who use substances by blocking access to care, fueling shame and isolation, and reinforcing negative stereotypes. Not everyone who uses substances has a problem with it, yet stigma paints everyone with the same brush. It's time to change the conversation — and build a culture of compassion and understanding that supports recovery in all its forms.

Image and themes in this blog post were borrowed and inspired by Never Use Alone hotline, a National Overdose Prevention Lifeline 800-484-3731. Providing no-cost 24/7/365 overdose prevention monitoring, detection, and crisis response and reversal call center services for people who use drugs alone who are at highest risk of a fatal accidental overdose.