RUN- Recovered Users Network

09/01/2026

“Music gives me a sense of purpose… a reason to wake up in the morning.”

For so many on the road to recovery, music isn’t just background noise — it’s healing. From easing cravings and rebuilding self-worth to forming new, healthy connections, making and engaging with music can play a powerful role in addiction recovery.

If you or someone you love is in recovery, remember that healing can come in many forms, and sometimes it starts with a rhythm.

https://www.musicradar.com/music-industry/music-gives-me-a-sense-of-purpose-a-reason-to-wake-up-in-the-morning-how-making-music-can-help-in-addiction-recovery

Dealing with an addiction can be a harrowing experience. Thankfully, making music and music therapy can assist with the process

07/01/2026

Recovery advocates in Georgia in the United States are turning up the heat this legislative session — and it matters for all of us fighting for smarter, more humane addiction policy.

This is exactly why voices with lived experience need to be at the table when policies are shaped. Change isn’t just about awareness; it’s about systems that actually *support recovery and save lives

https://www.wabe.org/recovery-advocates-push-for-stronger-policies-during-legislative-session-to-address-georgias-addiction-epidemic/

The addiction epidemic in Georgia is one of the major issues local advocates want state lawmakers to address during the 2026 legislative session. Cammie Wolf Rice, founder of Christopher Wolf Crusade Alliance, and Jeff Breedlove, the CEO of the American Addiction Recovery Association, talked with .....

06/01/2026

The latest NPR health news highlights something too many in recovery already know: Recovery isn’t a checklist — it’s a process that looks different for every person and often needs a mix of support, options, and compassion to truly work. What matters most isn’t just whether someone stops using but whether they can build a life worth living with sustainable care, community, and dignity.

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2026/01/05/nx-s1-5660694/addiction-treatment-opioids-cocaine-abstinence

The experiences of one doctor in Louisiana reveal the tensions around trying to get people to engage in addiction treatment, even if they're not ready to stop using drugs.

05/01/2026

You don’t need fancy tools to support recovery — just a pen, a notebook, and intention. Gratitude journaling is a simple, science-backed way to build healthier coping habits and boost well-being one day at a time.

https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/alameda-county/2025/12/02/gratitude-journaling-a-pen-a-notebook-and-a-road-to-recovery/

 Treating opioid misuse is often linked to medication, therapy, and support programs designed to prevent relapse.  But these treatments do not explore the healthy habits one can build on a daily basis.  There is another coping mechanism that can turn into a healthy daily habit – it requires onl...

03/01/2026

Through a journey from deep addiction and a life-threatening overdose to more than 4½ years in recovery, Randy is now using his story as a peer support specialist to help others find their footing. His story also reminds us all that second chances are worth fighting for!

https://wcyb.com/news/local/bristol-man-uses-his-story-to-help-others-recovering-from-addiction

Randy Carrier has been sober for more than four and a half years. But he says his journey to recovery was not easy.

02/01/2026

How we talk about substance use shapes stigma, access to treatment, and even how people see themselves. This article highlights that outdated terms still linger in media and everyday conversations, and that using accurate, person-centered language can help break down barriers and build trust.

https://datac.ca/the-role-of-language-in-addiction-related-stigma-opinion/

A recent article published by Psychology Today and authored by Dr. Jenna Butner discussed how language can contribute to the stigma existing around substance use disorders (SUD), and the potential impact in changing terminology for improving access to treatment, quality of care, and social attitudes...

30/12/2025

After 20 years of battling her own addiction, Rachel Montour is now leading a care-package project for people experiencing homelessness—turning lived experience into real-world hope.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/care-packages-9.7021294

Rachel Montour, an Indigenous woman from Six Nations, struggled with addiction since she was 10 years old. She’s three years sober now and living a “full-circle moment” as she prepares care packages for homeless people in Brantford, Ont.

19/12/2025

This article puts a spotlight on how people with lived experience are stepping up to support others navigating addiction and recovery.

These specialists offer education, emotional support, stability, and connection — often bridging gaps that traditional systems miss. — and remind us that *recovery isn’t just clinical, it’s relational.

https://tinyurl.com/295emcdx

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – The recovery process looks different for each individual. One of the most helpful assets in that process can be peer recovery support specialists. Social stigmas and general uncertainty can obstruct progress for those navigating substance misuse. This is where peer recovery su...

18/12/2025

💻Healthy Holiday Choices: Substance Prevention for Youth💻

This upcoming webinar dives into recovery, resilience, and the real-world strategies that actually move the needle.

👉 Save your seat: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3555585760672751197

17/12/2025

Veteran journalist Harry Saltzgaver just dropped a powerful memoir that peels back the curtain on life in the newsroom — and what happened after. After more than 40 years in journalism, Saltzgaver gets real about the damage addiction can do and the spiritual awakening that put his life back on track.

Harry Saltzgaver, author of “No Walk in the Park: Newspapers, Booze and God.” Saltzgaver shares his four decades in journalism while battling alcoholism and ultimately finding recovery and faith. LONG BEACH , CA, UNITED STATES, December 10, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Long Beach newsman and colum...

16/12/2025

Stigma sucks — and it’s literally getting in the way of recovery.

When we treat addiction like a moral failing instead of a health issue, we keep people stuck — too scared to ask for help, too afraid to stay in care, and too isolated to build a life in recovery.

Addiction isn’t a character flaw — it’s a chronic health condition that people can recover from when given compassion, support, and

Where does stigma come from? And is it still a problem for recovery?

12/12/2025

🎄The holidays can be beautiful — and they can be tough on folks in recovery.

This broadcast dives into how the festive season brings extra pressures and triggers for people working hard to stay sober, and highlights practical tips from addiction and recovery specialists on protecting your peace, honoring your progress, and still enjoying the season.

Whether it’s planning ahead, leaning on your support network, or setting healthy boundaries, this season can be a chance to strengthen your recovery — not derail it.

‘Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry! But for many in our community, the holidays can also be a tough reminder of how quickly things can go left when you’re battling addiction. We’re taking an honest look at addiction and sobriety during this festive season. How do you protect your peac...