Jan 9 (edited) • F*ck the stigma & Shame
Progress or no?
Joining a new community should feel like stepping into a place where you belong—a space to connect, share, and grow. That’s exactly what I was hoping for when I joined a recovery community on Skool. I was eager to engage, learn from others, and build meaningful connections with people walking similar roads. But instead of feeling welcomed, I found myself banned without much explanation.
When I reached out to understand what happened, the response caught me off guard. The admin said my posts came off as if I were claiming to be an expert, but since they were created with the help of AI, they questioned the authenticity. He also criticized me for sharing my blog link multiple times, suggesting it was inappropriate self-promotion. On top of that, he pointed to the experts in his community—one of whom has ties to Gabor Maté—and implied that my view of expertise didn’t measure up. Based on advice from his coach and others, he chose to ban me.
Here’s where I want to be crystal clear: Yes, I use AI as a tool to help draft social media posts or organize my thoughts, but the ideas and content come directly from me. I’m a licensed clinical substance use disorder counselor, both state and nationally registered. More than that, I bring lived experience—years of walking the path of recovery myself. My posts are meant to share hope, encouragement, and practical ideas with those who are struggling or sustaining recovery. It’s about showing folks they’re not alone, that others have faced similar challenges, and that recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey.
This experience shines a spotlight on a problem that’s still very real in recovery communities: stigma and gatekeeping. Too often, certain voices are elevated as the “only” valid experts, while others—especially those who combine professional knowledge with lived experience—are dismissed or sidelined. The world is changing, and so are the ways we create and share knowledge. AI tools are just one example of how technology can help us communicate more effectively, not replace authenticity or expertise.
Sharing my blog links wasn’t about spamming or self-promotion. For me, it’s about open-source sharing—inviting dialogue, networking, and community-building across platforms. True community means making space for diverse voices and approaches, not shutting down those who don’t fit a narrow mold.
Recovery is deeply personal. It’s messy, complex, and different for everyone. No single path has a monopoly on “right” or “expert.” We need to break down walls of shame and stigma that keep people isolated and afraid to share their truth. If someone is healing, growing, and moving toward a better life, that’s what truly matters.
As both a clinician and someone who’s lived through addiction and recovery, I believe the strongest communities are those that embrace many perspectives—professional, experiential, traditional, and innovative alike. We have to rethink what recovery, connection, and engagement look like. It’s not about fitting a certain image or following a set script. It’s about real people supporting each other in real ways.
I’m sharing this story not to call anyone out, but to spark a broader conversation. How can we create more inclusive, understanding spaces in recovery—spaces that welcome innovation, honor lived experience, and encourage collaboration? Because at the end of the day, recovery is about connection, community, and hope. And everyone deserves that.
So, let’s keep pushing to break down stigma, expand our definitions of expertise, and build communities where every voice can be heard. That’s how we truly heal, together.
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