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SHARE THIS PAGE OR LINK: If you or anyone you know have been touched by addiction, as this expresses experience, strength and hope to let other souls and their families, friends, are not alone.
 

10 Radically Honest Stories plus Recovery Landscape Background and Latest Cutting Edge modalities.

National and State Sample Resources BELOW.
 

Offering both data and storytelling, Mark Ehrenkranz takes us on an intimate journey of the courage and vulnerability required to “recover” our true nature not just once, but over and over again in our ervice to others, creating a book that is both a testament and a roadmap—a call to reimagine recovery not as a solitary pursuit but a shared human triumph, where the willingness to share one’s story becomes the hope that saves another.
 

 - Summer B. Brancoccio, LPC, LCADC, ACS, CCS
 President/CEO, NCAAR – National Center for Advocacy and Recovery, Inc.
 

The upfront and personal stories include the following souls (all names and locations are obscured for anonymity):
 

-MD Doctor
-MIT Student
- Gymnast
- Recent Immigrant
- Sex worker
- NCAA Football Star
- Observant Girl from Brooklyn 

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 SAMPLE ONLY

BOOK CHAPTER: IX. Comprehensive Glossary of Terms and Recovery Resources

Key National and State Resources:

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance behavioral health, reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness, and provide grants, resources, and national helplines.
Website: https://www.samhsa.gov

Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

The SAMHSA Language Assistance Services ensures that people whose primary language is not English can request free interpretation or translated materials (e.g., Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese).

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
The largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, dedicated to building better lives for people affected by mental illness through education, advocacy, support groups, and community programs.
Website: https://www.nami.org

Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Treatment Atlas

A free and confidential resource to find and compare addiction treatment programs. They believe everyone deserves care that best meets their health needs and preferences. The Shatterproof organization created this. Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming addiction treatment, ending stigma, and supporting communities.

https://treatmentatlas.org/

Addiction
A chronic, potentially relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive substance or behavioral seeking, continued use despite attempts to cease, with harmful consequences to self and others, plus changes in the brain.
 

All Recovery Meetings 

They are for everyone and honor all pathways of recovery.
Inclusive meetings that welcome people from any recovery pathways.

https://ccar.us

Anhedonia
A condition characterized by the inability to experience joy or pleasure.

Asian Recovery Resources –

A commitment to ensure that members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have access to recovery, prevention, and mental health resources. A curated list of recovery and mental health resources specifically for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

https://www.safeproject.us/resource/aapi/

Autonomic Nervous System - The part of the nervous system that automatically regulates involuntary body functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and gland activity.

Behave Directory of NARR Certified Organizations … This comprehensive bed directory helps individuals and organizations locate certified recovery residences.

https://behavehealth.com/directory

BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration)
The measure of alcohol intoxication is expressed as the percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

Buddhist Recovery Network
A network integrating Buddhist teachings and mindfulness practices with addiction recovery. 

https://buddhistrecovery.org/

Bupeprinorphine 

A partial opioid agonist medication like methadone is used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Cannabis (marijuana) Types 

Delta-9 THC 

Available Legally in Certain U.S. States for Medical and or recreational (adult use). Must be 21 to purchase
The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis is responsible for the “high,” known for its strong binding to CB1 receptors in the brain.

Legal CBD smoke shops often sell these hemp-derived cannabinoids because they can be manufactured from CBD and fall into regulatory gray areas under U.S. federal law, though state laws vary, and can sell the following to minors at retail or online:

Delta-8 THC
A hemp-derived cannabinoid chemically similar to Delta-9 THC but generally less potent, producing milder psychoactive effects.

HHC-P (Hexahydrocannabinol-P)
A hydrogenated cannabinoid analog believed to be stronger and longer-lasting than Delta-9 THC, though research is still limited.

THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
A non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis that becomes psychoactive Delta-9 THC when heated (decarboxylated).

THC-B (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
A rare cannabinoid structurally related to THC with limited research but thought to have strong CB1 receptor binding, potentially increasing potency.

THC-P (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol)
A newly discovered cannabinoid is reported to be up to 30 times more active at CB1 receptors than Delta-9 THC, making it tremendously potent in small amounts.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)

Some long-term users may develop periods of extreme nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Chronic use appears to overstimulate natural cannabinoid receptors in the gut and brain, which may interfere with the body's ability to regulate nausea, vomiting, and stomach emptying, even though THC usually lessens nausea in small or infrequent doses. This can eventually reverse the effects of cannabis, causing cycles of intense vomiting and stomach pain rather than reducing nausea.

Directory of Peer Recovery Organizations … This directory lists Peer Recovery Organizations (PROs) by state.

https://www.carsrecovery.org/directory-of-peer-recovery-organizations

Key National Resources

Indian (Eastern Diaspora) Recovery- Americans who practice Hinduism can find addiction recovery programs that combine evidence-based treatment with Hindu spiritual practices such as worship, meditation, and yoga. https://rehabnet.com/treatment/faith-based/hindu/

https://samhin.org/

JAAN (Jewish Addiction Awareness Network)

Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN) connects families and individuals to information, support, tools, and Jewish perspectives to help them face addiction and work toward recovery. https://jaanetwork.org/

Ketamine
A dissociative anesthetic developed in the 1960s for surgical use, now sometimes misused recreationally for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. It carries risks of abuse and dependence but is also used in medical settings for anesthesia, severe pain, and investigational treatment of substance use disorders.

Esketamine (Spravato®)

A nasal spray form of ketamine approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression. Administered in certified clinics under medical supervision, esketamine works rapidly on mood symptoms but carries the same cautions about misuse and requires ongoing monitoring.

MARA Meetings 

For those participating in MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)

https://www.mara-international.org/

LifeRing Secular Recovery
A secular, abstinence-based recovery fellowship that encourages individuals to build personal recovery plans supported by peer-to-peer meetings. Unlike 12-step groups, LifeRing does not use religious or spiritual frameworks, instead focusing on self-empowerment and mutual support.
https://www.lifering.org
Phone: (800) 811-4142

Lochness Medical - Drug Test Kits

Harm reduction test kits for nitazenes and other less common drugs are only available in bulk. Some are available on Amazon.

www.lochnessmedical.com 

888.506.2658 in Buffalo, NY.

MARA—Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous 

It is designed to be a non-judgmental space where all individuals using medication to support their recovery are welcome. This is for participants who are on Suboxone, Methadone, Sublocade, or Vivitrol, which stop cravings, reduce reward, and help to curtail desires to use or drink. There’s also Campral, naltrexone, and Antabuse for alcoholism. Ozempic® is now being evaluated and used for alcohol reduction as well. Everyone’s different, and good psychiatrists or APNs with addiction specialties can prescribe and work with individuals for the right medicine or combination thereof.
https://www.mara-international.org

Marijuana Anonymous
A 12-step fellowship for people seeking recovery from marijuana addiction. https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

(800) 766-6779

MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment): 

An evidence-based approach to treating substance use disorders that combines FDA-approved medications—such as methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, or acamprosate—with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT helps reduce cravings, stabilize brain chemistry, and support long-term recovery while lowering the risk of relapse and overdose. Examples:

Free Narcan (naloxone) is available across the U.S. through state health departments, local harm-reduction programs, and participating pharmacies under standing orders. You can also request a free kit by mail from Next Distro. Their main contact info is: (646) 389-0752 (text)

https://nextdistro.org/naloxone

Native American–

White Bison / Wellbriety Movement— provides sobriety, recovery, and wellness resources rooted in Indigenous culture, including recovery circles and spiritual practice. whitebison.org

Native Indian Health Service (IHS) Best Practices — supports integration of traditional healing methods (ceremony, elders, community) with evidence-based treatments in tribal communities. ihs.gov

NativeConnections — helps connect American Indian / Alaska Native people and families to substance use treatment and health services. nativeconnections.org

Never Use Alone 

The US National Overdose Response line that people can call when they’re using by themselves, with no one to call for help. Volunteer operators will take one’s location information, and alert EMS to that location if one stops responding after using. All operators are people with lived experience. No one will ever judge, shame, or lecture about quitting. All calls are confidential. No one will ever know who called; they never share your information with anyone other than EMS if they need to alert them.

https://neverusealone.com/ 

800-484-3731 or 877-696-1996

Nitazenes
A class of highly potent synthetic opioids, stronger than fentanyl in some cases, is increasingly found in the illicit drug supply and is associated with high overdose risk.

The Noble Steps

Supports those who want to integrate secular Buddhist teachings and practices into their recovery from any addiction. 

http://www.thenoblesteps.com

OHH is NJ’s model (law enforcement + peers, home visits). OHH (Operation Helping Hand) is a post-overdose outreach program originally developed in New Jersey. In OHH, law enforcement, peer recovery specialists, and sometimes social services make home visits (“knock & talk”) to overdose survivors to offer treatment referrals, harm-reduction resources, and sustained recovery support instead of punitive measures. Narcan is provided and other recovery information including outpatient programs (IOPs).
 

Unity Recovery

An inclusive, peer-led recovery community that honors all pathways of recovery—12-step, medication-assisted, secular, and spiritual. Unity Recovery offers meetings, mutual support, education, and recovery housing, emphasizing that there is no single right way to recover.
https://unityrecovery.org/

Vagus Nerve
Our largest nerve, the vagus nerve, originates in the brain, just behind the ears, and then travels throughout our tissues and organs, regulating our responses to restore, relax, and digest. Vagus is Latin for wanderer because this component wanders throughout our system. By toning this one can greatly enhance their recovery. Great free instructional  from Dr. Navaz Habib at Rupa Health. (669) 294-2703

https://www.rupahealth.com/

https://www.rupahealth.com/post/podcast-episode-how-to-exercise-your-vagus-nerve-to-lower-stress-and-inflammation-with-dr-navaz-habib

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vmtAoOsZ41E

.

noncoCT

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*Opioid Settlement Information 

Referring to The Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with facilities in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, which is being dissolved in bankruptcy and restructured as Knoa Pharma, a public benefit company focused on addressing the opioid crisis.

As of 2025, the Purdue Pharma and Sackler family opioid settlement and reorganization plan is valued at $7.4 billion.

CONTINUED IN BOOK

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For More Information 

https://www.carsrecovery.org/directory-of-peer-recovery-organizations

https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/programs/arco/members-on-the-map

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Alabama.

• R.O.S.S. – Recovery Organization of Support Specialists — Helpline (844) 307-1760 — https://ross4u.org/— Statewide

• Recover Alaska — (907) 249-6647 — https://recoveralaska.org/ — Statewide

• HOPE, Inc. (Prescott) — (928) 642-4057 — https://hopearizona.org/ — Yavapai County / Prescott

• NAZCARE — (928) 460-4411 — https://nazcare.org/— Northern Arizona

• AR DHS — Peer Recovery Resources — (844) 763-0198 — https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/shared-services/office-of-substance-abuse-and-mental-health/arkansas-peer-recovery/peer-resources/— Statewide directory

• Recovery Café San José — (408) 294-2963 — https://recoverycafesj.org/ — Santa Clara County

• The Purpose of Recovery (Tustin) — (714) 485-3772 — https://thepurposeofrecovery.org/ — Orange County

• Serenity Recovery Connection (Colorado Springs) — (719) 465-2295 — https://srchope.org/— El Paso County / Pikes Peak

• CCAR – CT Community for Addiction Recovery — (860) 244-2227 — https://ccar.us/ — Statewide

• AtTAcK Addiction – Recovery Community Center — (302) 365-9360 — https://www.attackaddiction.org/— New Castle County

• Recovery Epicenter Foundation (Palm Beach County) — (561) 469-2060 — https://recoveryepicenterfoundation.org/— Palm Beach County