Sign in Get started

Black Bear

At Black Bear, we share informative articles and personal stories about struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.

Black Bear Will be on Holiday Break From December 24th — January 1st

Black Bear Will be on Holiday Break From December 24th — January 1st

Healing and Inclusion Within a Writing Community

Healing and Inclusion Within a Writing Community

Celebrating Pride Month & Joining the Boost Nomination Pilot

Jun 2

Black Bear Submission Guidelines—2023

Black Bear Submission Guidelines—2023

And becoming a writer with our publication

Jan 5

What Does the Name “Black Bear” Mean?

What Does the Name “Black Bear” Mean?

(And what does it have to do with mental health and addiction?)

Dec 23, 2022

Growing Into Who I Am

Growing Into Who I Am

Self-identity in 2023

Denise Estey Lindquist

Dec 2

Latest

It’s Not the Most Wonderful Time of the Year If You Can’t Control Your Spending

It’s Not the Most Wonderful Time of the Year If You Can’t Control Your Spending

Or, why the season of giving is a special kind of fresh hell for people like me

J.C. Anne Brown

Dec 2

This is Why I No Longer Call Myself an Alcoholic

This is Why I No Longer Call Myself an Alcoholic

When drinking no longer controls your mind

Dec 2

How Can You Provide Emotional First Aid…

How Can You Provide Emotional First Aid…

To Someone Having A Panic Attack?

Dec 1

Locked Doors and Pancake Turners

Locked Doors and Pancake Turners

Just a few laughs around the Thanksgiving table

Nov 30

You Can Soar When You Embrace Suffering

You Can Soar When You Embrace Suffering

The Art of Living teaches that pain is a natural part of growth.

Nov 28

When You were Abused as a Child, Holidays can be Triggering

When You were Abused as a Child, Holidays can be Triggering

It’s ok not to be happy at the holidays

Nov 28

Removing Alcohol Did Not Solve All My Problems

Removing Alcohol Did Not Solve All My Problems

I feel let down

Nov 27

Is Sugar the Most Insidious Drug There Is?

Is Sugar the Most Insidious Drug There Is?

It’s as addicting as drugs and alcohol.

Nov 27

Are You A Man Struggling With Mental Health?

Are You A Man Struggling With Mental Health?

The Month of ‘Movember’ is Coming To A Close.

Nov 26

My Tormented Journey Into Post-Partum Psychosis

My Tormented Journey Into Post-Partum Psychosis

When childbirth takes you down a dark and deadly path

Liberty Forrest, Author

Nov 26

A Sea of Dark Thoughts: Living with Chronic Suicidal Ideation

A Sea of Dark Thoughts: Living with Chronic Suicidal Ideation

Fantasizing about my last day every day

Nov 25

Month Twelve: The Home Stretch

Month Twelve: The Home Stretch

Or a new beginning?

Julia Lawrinson

Nov 24

A Month of Hell Has Been Worth the Pay Off

A Month of Hell Has Been Worth the Pay Off

Quitting addictive substances will test your resolve, mind, and spirit

Nov 21

I Couldn’t Get My Dad to Stop Drinking, but Thanks to Al-Anon, My Mom Did

I Couldn’t Get My Dad to Stop Drinking, but Thanks to Al-Anon, My M...

Why it’s so hard for us drinkers and druggers to admit what we’re doing to ourselves and our loved ones

Nov 21

When I Stopped Counting

When I Stopped Counting

Recovering from Anorexia

Nov 20

This Is How Time Has Flown By Since Going Sober

This Is How Time Has Flown By Since Going Sober

After almost eleven months without alcohol.

Jordan Katherine

Nov 19

Driven to Heal

Reclaiming the Wheel from Trauma Symptoms

Reality Trekk - Journey of a Trauma Survivor🏳️‍🌈

Nov 19

A Gorgeous Friend Helped Me Through The Worst Time Of My Life

A Gorgeous Friend Helped Me Through The Worst Time Of My Life

And taught me the power of a beautiful friendship.

Nov 19

You Didn’t Waste Your 20s, You Were Untying Knots

You Didn’t Waste Your 20s, You Were Untying Knots

You are not behind in life, you will get where you need to be at exactly the right time.

Sammie Eastwood

Nov 19

I Never Wanted Children

I Never Wanted Children

I write about it a lot. Here’s what you don’t know.

Nov 13

Can You Selectively Numb?

Can You Selectively Numb?

Homework my therapist gave me that I can’t answer.

Nov 12

The Weird Feeling I Get When My Friend Drunk Texts Me

The Weird Feeling I Get When My Friend Drunk Texts Me

Sober thoughts from a drunken friend.

Jordan Katherine

Nov 12

Decompensation

How we should love those people in our lives when they aren’t loving themselves

Nov 12

Antidepressant Free For One Year

Antidepressant Free For One Year

November marks 12 months since I came off my medication

Nov 10

Once An Addict, Always An Addict. You Are Not The Exception.

Once An Addict, Always An Addict. You Are Not The Exception.

Beware of the voice in your head that tells you “Just one drink.”

Nov 10

About Black BearLatest StoriesArchiveAbout MediumTermsPrivacyTeams