Mary Beth O'Connor
@marybethoconnor.bsky.social
From Junkie to Judge memoir. Teenage meth addict and multiple trauma survivor, to secular recovery, to federal judge. I speak and write about a variety of substance use, harm reduction, and recovery topics. junkietojudge.com
Pinned
From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction
From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction [O'Connor, Mary Beth] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction
a.co
Mary Beth's story chronicles her sometimes harrowing journey from addiction to recovery. In the face of wilting trauma, she attained longstanding sobriety and reclaimed her tremendous potential. Highly recommend. - Ryan Weltz #memoir #quitlit #books
a.co/d/1WyEKwF
a.co/d/1WyEKwF
#Trauma and untreated mental health capture a notable majority of those who develop a substance use disorder/#addiction. Using heavily or taking large risks as a teenager captures many as well. But not everyone fits into these categories.
January 7, 2026 at 10:16 PM
#Trauma and untreated mental health capture a notable majority of those who develop a substance use disorder/#addiction. Using heavily or taking large risks as a teenager captures many as well. But not everyone fits into these categories.
I view my role in the #addiction space as offering an example of what can work, but not necessarily an example of what's the right recovery approach for any particular newcomer. And I'm always willing to share information about other options. #recoveryposse #empowerment
a woman is standing in front of a door and says everybody is different
ALT: a woman is standing in front of a door and says everybody is different
media.tenor.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:47 PM
I view my role in the #addiction space as offering an example of what can work, but not necessarily an example of what's the right recovery approach for any particular newcomer. And I'm always willing to share information about other options. #recoveryposse #empowerment
January 6, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Proud to be on the She Recovers Foundation Board. SRF is for substance recovery, but also recovery for other behavior and/or mental health disorders, grief, sexual assaults, domestic violence, and everything else from which you are in recovery.
This week's schedule for #SHERECOVERSTogether Online gatherings is here. You can choose your adventure by going to the SR Together landing page, where you can register for our twice-daily global gatherings.
More info 🔗 links in comments.
#SHERECOVERS #WeeklySchedule #RecoveryGatherings #Recovery
More info 🔗 links in comments.
#SHERECOVERS #WeeklySchedule #RecoveryGatherings #Recovery
January 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Proud to be on the She Recovers Foundation Board. SRF is for substance recovery, but also recovery for other behavior and/or mental health disorders, grief, sexual assaults, domestic violence, and everything else from which you are in recovery.
In this #podcast, discussion includes that learning that my decision-making, skills, and persistence would lead to meeting my goals was important in my #addiction and #trauma recoveries.
open.spotify.com/episode/44VG...
open.spotify.com/episode/44VG...
Episode 298 - Judge Mary Beth O'Connor
open.spotify.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
In this #podcast, discussion includes that learning that my decision-making, skills, and persistence would lead to meeting my goals was important in my #addiction and #trauma recoveries.
open.spotify.com/episode/44VG...
open.spotify.com/episode/44VG...
People using drugs either have an #addiction, so should be offered treatment. Or they do it for fun, stress relief, or other reasons. As to which, I have no negative opinion. Except that we should encourage kids to wait to reduce their addiction risk. #drugs #harmreduction
January 5, 2026 at 7:18 PM
People using drugs either have an #addiction, so should be offered treatment. Or they do it for fun, stress relief, or other reasons. As to which, I have no negative opinion. Except that we should encourage kids to wait to reduce their addiction risk. #drugs #harmreduction
January 5, 2026 at 2:10 PM
#Trauma can play a significant role in the development of an #addiction. The more adverse childhood experiences, the more likely this is to develop. Substance use can be viewed as an adaptation to trauma as people use to get relief from painful emotions or to avoid feeling numb. #PTSD
January 4, 2026 at 7:53 PM
#Trauma can play a significant role in the development of an #addiction. The more adverse childhood experiences, the more likely this is to develop. Substance use can be viewed as an adaptation to trauma as people use to get relief from painful emotions or to avoid feeling numb. #PTSD
Good piece by Teon Hayes about the importance of providing robust treatment and supports for mothers struggling with #addiction. #moms #recoveryposse
www.clasp.org/blog/familie...
www.clasp.org/blog/familie...
Families Affected by Substance Use Need Holistic Healing and Recovery Support | CLASP
Recovery is not just about surviving substance use. For mothers and those they love, it’s about building a future where healing is possible, families are whole, and every generation has the chance to ...
www.clasp.org
January 4, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Good piece by Teon Hayes about the importance of providing robust treatment and supports for mothers struggling with #addiction. #moms #recoveryposse
www.clasp.org/blog/familie...
www.clasp.org/blog/familie...
A child witnessing one parent abusing another is a #trauma. I think we under-appreciate the impact of this on the child's emotional and mental health. #domesticviolence #kids
January 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
A child witnessing one parent abusing another is a #trauma. I think we under-appreciate the impact of this on the child's emotional and mental health. #domesticviolence #kids
Informative article about how #addiction severity is defined and how this impacts treatment options and other decisions. #opioids #sobriety
rjionline.org/news/underst...
rjionline.org/news/underst...
January 3, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Informative article about how #addiction severity is defined and how this impacts treatment options and other decisions. #opioids #sobriety
rjionline.org/news/underst...
rjionline.org/news/underst...
This book also has an educational component around #addiction and recovery which will prove an invaluable tool for anyone seeking out this resources. - Amazon reviewer Dana #recoveryposse #teacher
a.co/d/j56uf2A
a.co/d/j56uf2A
January 2, 2026 at 9:35 PM
This book also has an educational component around #addiction and recovery which will prove an invaluable tool for anyone seeking out this resources. - Amazon reviewer Dana #recoveryposse #teacher
a.co/d/j56uf2A
a.co/d/j56uf2A
Despite billions in military and counternarcotics assistance by successive US administrations, Colombia now produces more cocaine than ever before, flooding a rapidly growing market. #addiction #drugs #DrugMoneyPolitics
a man wearing glasses has the word facts above his head
ALT: a man wearing glasses has the word facts above his head
media.tenor.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Despite billions in military and counternarcotics assistance by successive US administrations, Colombia now produces more cocaine than ever before, flooding a rapidly growing market. #addiction #drugs #DrugMoneyPolitics
Great #podcast discussion including a detailed explanation of multiple pathways to #recovery, why excessive teenage drug use is a red flag, and racial disparities in drug law enforcement. #recoveryposse
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGTZ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGTZ...
January 1, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Great #podcast discussion including a detailed explanation of multiple pathways to #recovery, why excessive teenage drug use is a red flag, and racial disparities in drug law enforcement. #recoveryposse
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGTZ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGTZ...
Good overview of the current medication options for stimulant use disorders/addictions. #harmreduction #addiction #recoveryposse
journals.lww.com/journaladdic...
journals.lww.com/journaladdic...
January 1, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Good overview of the current medication options for stimulant use disorders/addictions. #harmreduction #addiction #recoveryposse
journals.lww.com/journaladdic...
journals.lww.com/journaladdic...
#Harmreduction guide to safer drinking, because alcohol remains a major cause of car accidents and other negative outcomes, even for those without an #addiction. #NewYear2026
www.ksal.com/a-harm-reduc...
www.ksal.com/a-harm-reduc...
A Harm Reduction Guide to Safer Drinking
KSAL is your number one source for salina local news, weather, sports, auctions.
www.ksal.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM
#Harmreduction guide to safer drinking, because alcohol remains a major cause of car accidents and other negative outcomes, even for those without an #addiction. #NewYear2026
www.ksal.com/a-harm-reduc...
www.ksal.com/a-harm-reduc...
Treating all #MentalHealth conditions simultaneously improves success odds. And, of course, #addiction is a mental health condition. #recoveryposse
December 31, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Treating all #MentalHealth conditions simultaneously improves success odds. And, of course, #addiction is a mental health condition. #recoveryposse
Good analysis of the connection between #addiction and other #mentalhealth disorders.
thebulletproofpoet1.godaddysites.com/blog/f/the-c...
thebulletproofpoet1.godaddysites.com/blog/f/the-c...
The Cycle of Self-Medication: How Mental Health Drives Addiction
Introduction: The Quiet Pharmacy of Pain
thebulletproofpoet1.godaddysites.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Good analysis of the connection between #addiction and other #mentalhealth disorders.
thebulletproofpoet1.godaddysites.com/blog/f/the-c...
thebulletproofpoet1.godaddysites.com/blog/f/the-c...
Interesting overview of the "body does v. body doesn't" keep the score arguments in regard to #trauma and intergenerational transmission of DNA and epigenetic changes due to such stressors. #ptsd #DNAUpdates
narrativescoaching.com/wp-content/u...
narrativescoaching.com/wp-content/u...
December 30, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Interesting overview of the "body does v. body doesn't" keep the score arguments in regard to #trauma and intergenerational transmission of DNA and epigenetic changes due to such stressors. #ptsd #DNAUpdates
narrativescoaching.com/wp-content/u...
narrativescoaching.com/wp-content/u...
Good summary of important information regarding #addiction and #AddictionRecovery. #recoveryposse
www.psychiatry.org/getmedia/e25...
www.psychiatry.org/getmedia/e25...
December 29, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Good summary of important information regarding #addiction and #AddictionRecovery. #recoveryposse
www.psychiatry.org/getmedia/e25...
www.psychiatry.org/getmedia/e25...
#Addiction peer support groups have different meeting formats, in addition to different philosophies. In LifeRing #Secular Recovery, we don't have a speaker. We want everyone to have a chance to share. And we have cross-talk, so the group can discuss strategies and offer support. #RecoveryPosse
December 29, 2025 at 1:13 PM
#Addiction peer support groups have different meeting formats, in addition to different philosophies. In LifeRing #Secular Recovery, we don't have a speaker. We want everyone to have a chance to share. And we have cross-talk, so the group can discuss strategies and offer support. #RecoveryPosse
There's a connection between ACE's and trauma, and developing an #addiction. Which is why treatment for #ptsd and other mental health conditions often is key when starting #sobriety recovery.
www.cdc.gov/aces/about/i...
www.cdc.gov/aces/about/i...
About Adverse Childhood Experiences
This page defines adverse childhood experiences, presents the latest data, and describes outcomes.
www.cdc.gov
December 29, 2025 at 12:26 AM
There's a connection between ACE's and trauma, and developing an #addiction. Which is why treatment for #ptsd and other mental health conditions often is key when starting #sobriety recovery.
www.cdc.gov/aces/about/i...
www.cdc.gov/aces/about/i...
Yet another study showing the benefits of providing medication for opioid #addiction while incarcerated, including significantly reducing reincarceration rates and thus saving money. #crime #opioids
www.nih.gov/news-events/...
www.nih.gov/news-events/...
Treating opioid addiction in jails improves treatment engagement, reduces overdose deaths and reincarceration
NIH-funded study demonstrates life-saving potential of providing medications for opioid use disorder in carceral settings.
www.nih.gov
December 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Yet another study showing the benefits of providing medication for opioid #addiction while incarcerated, including significantly reducing reincarceration rates and thus saving money. #crime #opioids
www.nih.gov/news-events/...
www.nih.gov/news-events/...
In early #addiction #recovery most of us need to be hyper-focused on our sobriety. We will gradually win the war over the need to consume excessively, but it takes time and effort to reach that point. #recoveryposse
December 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
In early #addiction #recovery most of us need to be hyper-focused on our sobriety. We will gradually win the war over the need to consume excessively, but it takes time and effort to reach that point. #recoveryposse
It's easy to romanticize drunken or high nights out. When often, especially for those of us with an #addiction, such nights go wrong in some way and/or you pay the price the next day. #recoveryposse #alcohol
a cartoon crocodile says " it didn 't end well "
ALT: a cartoon crocodile says " it didn 't end well "
media.tenor.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:55 PM
It's easy to romanticize drunken or high nights out. When often, especially for those of us with an #addiction, such nights go wrong in some way and/or you pay the price the next day. #recoveryposse #alcohol