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Black Bear

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

Black Bear March Prompt: Out of Sorts

Black Bear March Prompt: Out of Sorts

What do you do when your world is making you feel discombobulated?

Feb 28

Black Bear Submission Guidelines—Updated 2024

Black Bear Submission Guidelines—Updated 2024

And becoming a writer with our publication

Jan 5, 2023

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

Black Bear Is Now Part of the Boost Nomination Program

Black Bear Is Now Part of the Boost Nomination Program

Looking for high-quality personal stories about mental health, addiction, and sobriety

Feb 1, 2024

Latest

Realizing the Negative Effects of Cannabis, despite the Echo Chamber

Realizing the Negative Effects of Cannabis, despite the Echo Chamber

It’s not marijuana’s fault it’s addictive, it’s yours.

Mar 14

Notifications: A Pocket-Sized Addiction

Notifications: A Pocket-Sized Addiction

The little screen causing a big problem

Not Even Wine With Dinner

Mar 14

Looking Through the Lenses of Delusion

Looking Through the Lenses of Delusion

Is your addict or alcoholic loved one living in a different reality?

Mar 13

Anxiety Extremes

Anxiety Extremes

Navigating The Ups and Downs Of Mental Health

Sarah Tagert Changing The World With My Stories

Mar 12

ADHD Stimulant Prescribing is a Medical Minefield Without a Roadmap

ADHD Stimulant Prescribing is a Medical Minefield Without a Roadmap

All those who seem lost…are usually lost.

Lauren Grawert, MD

Mar 11

Are Your Meds Muting Your Emotions?

Are Your Meds Muting Your Emotions?

The cost of being stable

Julio Angel Rivera

Mar 11

Watching the News is Detrimental to My Health

Watching the News is Detrimental to My Health

How changing the channel lowered my blood pressure

Mar 10

Remembering

Those memories can help or hurt

Mar 10

It’s Easy To Get Out Of A Funk When You’re Sober

It’s Easy To Get Out Of A Funk When You’re Sober

Michelle Marie Warner

Mar 10

If You See Me Drinking, Just Leave

If You See Me Drinking, Just Leave

Thoughts on dating in sobriety

Mar 10

I Have a Friend Who Believes In Nothing

I Have a Friend Who Believes In Nothing

Nothing magical happens in his life as a result

Mar 8

The Key to Suicide Prevention Is in The Questions We Aren’t Asking

The Key to Suicide Prevention Is in The Questions We Aren’t Asking

Speaking as both a medic and a friend

Mar 7

I Self Medicated With Cannabis, and This Is What Happened

I Self Medicated With Cannabis, and This Is What Happened

It technically helped, but came at a cost

Mar 6

Caring For Him Was Killing Me

Caring For Him Was Killing Me

How I overcame compassion fatigue

Mar 6

Road Closed, Detour on Life’s Roadtrip Along the Autonomic River

Road Closed, Detour on Life’s Roadtrip Along the Autonomic River

Stress and anxiety look different now

jules - Miz Mindful

Mar 5

I No Longer Drink

I No Longer Drink

…and I am so fine with it

Mar 5

I’m 1 Year Sober So Let’s Recap My Last Drunk

I’m 1 Year Sober So Let’s Recap My Last Drunk

Starring an excessive amount of eyelashes and a hot tub

Not Even Wine With Dinner

Mar 4

The Body Dysmorphia is Strong With This One

The Body Dysmorphia is Strong With This One

I’ve never felt beautiful unless I was painfully thin, and nothing I’ve tried has worked to undo this vicious programming.

Mar 4

Faced With a Truth I Didn’t Want to Know

Faced With a Truth I Didn’t Want to Know

When the man I loved told me what I didn’t want to hear

Mar 3

Modern Medicine Tried To Kill My Mother

Modern Medicine Tried To Kill My Mother

Hospitals fuel addictions through unnecessary medications

Mar 3

The Great Paradox of Addiction Treatment

The Great Paradox of Addiction Treatment

Balancing patient preference with medical safety

Lauren Grawert, MD

Mar 3

The Metaphors of Recovery

The Metaphors of Recovery

True healing comes not from burying our mistakes but from accepting them and learning to see their value

Mar 3

Addicts and Alcoholics are Master Puppeteers

Addicts and Alcoholics are Master Puppeteers

How does their manipulation work?

Mar 2

As An Alcoholic, I Can’t Afford a Resentment

As An Alcoholic, I Can’t Afford a Resentment

I wasted a whole day on one.

Feb 28

Evaluating My Child for ADHD

Evaluating My Child for ADHD

She got it from me, but she won’t have to suffer

Julio Angel Rivera

Feb 27

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