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“Mom,” he said. “I need help. I don’t want to die.” My heart sank to my bowels. “But I don’t want...
Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday to some, but eight years ago it took on a new meaning for me. Love In The Trenches co-founder Shawn...

Shawn Nocher
Feb 13, 20223 min read


"I don't think your son has as much time as he thinks he does. I actually think he's going to die."
After eight years of sobriety, a son relapses and a mother does all that she can to save his life. Love in the Trenches CoFounder Kelly...

Kelly Gill
Nov 4, 20211 min read


Queer Recovery :)
I spent so many hours of the day pretending to be someone else, I had no practice being my
true self; I didn’t even know who that was.

Brandon Herman
Jun 28, 20214 min read


A Father’s Story of Loving an Addicted Child
Alex’s addiction grabbed him with all its might when he was 19 years old. He hated his addiction. He hated the grip it had over his life .

Rick Hoehn
Jun 18, 20212 min read


Harm reduction might have saved my son’s life
Alex’s final relapse came after 2 ½ years in recovery when he was killed by a toxic fentanyl overdose.

Liz Bement
Jun 10, 20215 min read


Writer Jennie Burke visits Love In The Trenches
The pain and the sludging through the days and months are familiar to our support group members, but Jennie's writing adds perspective.

Shawn Nocher
Apr 27, 20214 min read


Recovery: how is it different for women?
Gender bias is a real thing. There is the so-called “pink tax” in which products marketed to women tend to be more expensive than nearly...

Shawn Nocher
Mar 24, 20212 min read


Addiction in Black America, The Collateral Damage of a Failed War on Drugs
Back in 2012 when my son was actively struggling in his addiction, I simply couldn’t understand how he—my white, middleclass, educated...

Shawn Nocher
Feb 23, 20216 min read


The Language of Love in the Trenches
I could hardly wait to see him. It was a beautiful sunny Florida morning in early March of 2019, the temperature was a balmy 79 degrees. ...

Kelly Gill
Feb 12, 20216 min read


Year in Review
As we look forward to 2021, we also look back on 2020 and the formidable challenges we have all been forced to face. In spite of those...

Shawn Nocher
Jan 26, 20212 min read


Shame on Her
Understanding the Neurobiology of Parenting and Addiction Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, opioids—addictive substances that destroy...

Shawn Nocher
Dec 1, 20204 min read


One and Done
So, you finally got your daughter into her first recovery program and last night you slept for the first time in months, maybe years. Or...

Shawn Nocher
Sep 11, 20205 min read


Personality Traits and Disorders “Diagnosed” by the Addiction Industry
When our children go into a recovery center, we find ourselves hanging on every word the staff—therapists and counselors alike—has to say...

Shawn Nocher
Mar 30, 20203 min read
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