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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.
Mental Health
Depression
Anxiety
Addiction
Alcoholism
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June Black Bear Prompt- PTSD
June Black Bear Prompt- PTSD
June is PTSD Awareness Month
Michele Maize
May 31
Black Bear Submission Guidelines—Updated 2024
Black Bear Submission Guidelines—Updated 2024
And becoming a writer with our publication
KiKi Walter
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?)
KiKi Walter
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
Michele Maize
Feb 1
Strength in Softness: My Journey to Understanding PTSD
Strength in Softness: My Journey to Understanding PTSD
From fragility to fortitude: Understanding the power of emotional resilience
Deanna Bugalski
Jun 24
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Peer Pressure Hasn’t Changed, the Drugs Have
Peer Pressure Hasn’t Changed, the Drugs Have
The Conversation with Our Teens is Demanding Change
KaliLou
Jun 24
The Insidious, Evil Nature of Alcohol
The Insidious, Evil Nature of Alcohol
It is a predator lurking in the shadows, ready and willing to pounce and grab its next prey
Michele Maize
Jun 23
It Was a Miracle That Saved Me from Sure Death
It Was a Miracle That Saved Me from Sure Death
But left me with a lifetime of trauma
Purbita Chakraborty
Jun 23
If You’re an Addict, Some of Your Friends Will Die Young
If You’re an Addict, Some of Your Friends Will Die Young
With recovery comes acceptance that a few won’t make it
Michelle Marie Warner
Jun 23
Don’t Call Me Brave
Don’t Call Me Brave
Call me a survivor.
Becca CO 🌵
Jun 23
‘I Have No Right to Be Depressed, Others Have It Worse’ Is a Lie
‘I Have No Right to Be Depressed, Others Have It Worse’ Is a Lie
Beating ourselves up only adds to the angst
Joe Guay - Dispatches From the Guay Life!
Jun 23
Don’t Ignore These Three Universal Laws
Don’t Ignore These Three Universal Laws
There was a time when I thought alcohol gave me a buzz and helped me get through difficult or challenging times.
Caryn Leach-Smith
Jun 21
Why My Husband Diagnosed Me With an Exaggerated Startle Response
Why My Husband Diagnosed Me With an Exaggerated Startle Response
Worse case scenarios hiding under the bed
Deb Palmer
Jun 20
The Story of a Stutter In 10 Scenes
The Story of a Stutter In 10 Scenes
No 8: The breakdown
Gary Niemen
Jun 20
From Booze to Beats: My Alcohol Survival Story
From Booze to Beats: My Alcohol Survival Story
And the journey through drinking and drumming…
TOM★LEU
Jun 20
No, I’m Not on Drugs
No, I’m Not on Drugs
This is just sobriety.
AND ALSO…
Jun 20
Why I Had to Hit Rock Bottom to Love Myself
Why I Had to Hit Rock Bottom to Love Myself
Looking for love in all the wrong places.
Leon Macfayden
Jun 19
I Found Character Assets in Recovery
I Found Character Assets in Recovery
My first attempts at a 4th step left me demoralized. Then, I found I had character assets, and everything changed.
Rev. Dr. Michelle Pederson
Jun 18
When My Rapist Ambushed Me With Step Nine in the Target Parking Lot
When My Rapist Ambushed Me With Step Nine in the Target Parking Lot
And how strangers I never saw again came to my rescue
Maisie Archer
Jun 18
Using The Mind-Body Connection to Unlock Deep Emotions
Using The Mind-Body Connection to Unlock Deep Emotions
A personal account of insights
Barbara Carter
Jun 18
A Tricky Little Thing Called Cross-Addiction
A Tricky Little Thing Called Cross-Addiction
Accidentally swapping your substance of choice for something else
PatrickMeowler
Jun 18
Sometimes Sobriety is Awkward
Sometimes Sobriety is Awkward
How my ex-sponsor joined the sober group I run.
AND ALSO…
Jun 18
Driving
Driving
Driving, driven… Driving, always driving. Why?
Mike Hickman
Jun 18
Stuck on the Comedown Merry-Go-Round
Stuck on the Comedown Merry-Go-Round
Emotional backlash follows my every choice
Piddling Piddles
Jun 17
The Shadow Of Me
The Shadow Of Me
When the light reveals the darkness.
Ruby Noir 😈
Jun 16
Disgusted By Drunks
Disgusted By Drunks
But I also love them
Melissa Steussy
Jun 16
How I Chose Hope When My Anxiety Joined Me in a Hospital Waiting Room
How I Chose Hope When My Anxiety Joined Me in a Hospital Waiting Room
I’ve learned to live with anxiety without giving it the steering wheel
Suzanne Berger
Jun 15
Self-Medicating Social Anxiety With Cannabis and Alcohol
Self-Medicating Social Anxiety With Cannabis and Alcohol
My story of self-medicating with these substances
Thomas Morison
Jun 14
The Mixed Feelings Of Walking Into Rehab For The Fourth Time
The Mixed Feelings Of Walking Into Rehab For The Fourth Time
And running away after five days
PatrickMeowler
Jun 14
What’s the Number One Issue I Encounter in My Counselling Private Practice?
What’s the Number One Issue I Encounter in My Counselling Private P...
Relationship to self
Love, Lisa
Jun 13
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