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
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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
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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
"[T]he specific factors that are driving age-related increases in polysubstance-involved #overdose deaths, the researchers point to several likely factors: wider availability of illicit drugs, rising potency of drugs, and worsening mental health challenges." #teenstudent
www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
Polysubstance Involvement in Youth Opioid Overdoses Increases with Age
A new study found that youth as young as 15 are using multiple substances combined with opioids, and by age 21, youth opioid overdoses more commonly involve other substances—primarily stimulants—rath...
www.bu.edu
December 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"[T]he specific factors that are driving age-related increases in polysubstance-involved #overdose deaths, the researchers point to several likely factors: wider availability of illicit drugs, rising potency of drugs, and worsening mental health challenges." #teenstudent
www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
December 3, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Interesting preliminary methamphetamine #addiction study. The more options on the table, the increased likelihood we can help people succeed. #recoveryposse #men
scienmag.com/virtual-real...
scienmag.com/virtual-real...
Virtual Reality Cuts Methamphetamine Cravings in Men
In a groundbreaking advancement at the intersection of neuroscience, addiction treatment, and immersive technology, researchers have harnessed virtual reality (VR) to combat methamphetamine use
scienmag.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Interesting preliminary methamphetamine #addiction study. The more options on the table, the increased likelihood we can help people succeed. #recoveryposse #men
scienmag.com/virtual-real...
scienmag.com/virtual-real...
"As the individual [with an #addiction] learns new behaviors, goals, and rewards, the learning process reshapes synaptic connectivity across a range of circuits, ultimately outcompeting drug-related memories and automatic behavioral patterns, which weaken over time." Nora Volkow, NIDA
December 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM
"As the individual [with an #addiction] learns new behaviors, goals, and rewards, the learning process reshapes synaptic connectivity across a range of circuits, ultimately outcompeting drug-related memories and automatic behavioral patterns, which weaken over time." Nora Volkow, NIDA
It took me a couple years of #sobriety to fully appreciate my horrible interpersonal skills. I was working on other things. And I'd developed these behaviors by watching the adults in my family, so I didn't realize I had better options. #recoveryposse #HealingJourney
December 2, 2025 at 1:20 PM
It took me a couple years of #sobriety to fully appreciate my horrible interpersonal skills. I was working on other things. And I'd developed these behaviors by watching the adults in my family, so I didn't realize I had better options. #recoveryposse #HealingJourney
There are so many negative consequences to criminalizing drugs, to individuals and society. Plus, people using drugs either have a substance use disorder, so we should help them. Or they do it for fun or for emotional relief, neither of which is any of my business. #crimes #addiction
December 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
There are so many negative consequences to criminalizing drugs, to individuals and society. Plus, people using drugs either have a substance use disorder, so we should help them. Or they do it for fun or for emotional relief, neither of which is any of my business. #crimes #addiction
Drives me crazy when #harmreduction and #addiction treatment are put forward as diametrically opposed choices, as if we can pick just 1. Even if treatment is the goal, engaging in harm reduction services increases the odds of starting and completing treatment. Assuming people can get access!
December 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Drives me crazy when #harmreduction and #addiction treatment are put forward as diametrically opposed choices, as if we can pick just 1. Even if treatment is the goal, engaging in harm reduction services increases the odds of starting and completing treatment. Assuming people can get access!
I found that taking control of my #addiction recovery helped me build skills to handle life generally. Thinking about who I was, my goals, my priorities, researching and listening to others, setting the plan, implementing, revising, etc. #recoveryposse #wedorecover
November 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I found that taking control of my #addiction recovery helped me build skills to handle life generally. Thinking about who I was, my goals, my priorities, researching and listening to others, setting the plan, implementing, revising, etc. #recoveryposse #wedorecover
When I speak or do workshops, I often include the trauma/addiction connection. To try to increase understanding and empathy. #recoveryposse #addiction #trauma
November 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
When I speak or do workshops, I often include the trauma/addiction connection. To try to increase understanding and empathy. #recoveryposse #addiction #trauma
If someone tells you that you MUST follow any specific program, they either are misleading you on purpose OR they don't understand as much about recovery as they think they do. And it's dangerous, because people do better in programs that fit them best. #addiction #sobriety
November 29, 2025 at 5:50 PM
If someone tells you that you MUST follow any specific program, they either are misleading you on purpose OR they don't understand as much about recovery as they think they do. And it's dangerous, because people do better in programs that fit them best. #addiction #sobriety
Offering medication for opioid use disorders (MOUD, #addiction) in carceral settings has shown significant decreases in #overdose rates and re-incarceration, improvements in employment, and increased the odds of people continuing MOUD post-release. #harmreduction
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
“They won’t prosecute, but they will though:” the continuing struggle between criminalization and harm reduction within the criminal justice system in the context of an opioid overdose crisis - Harm R...
People who use drugs (PWUD) come into frequent contact with the police including after calling for emergency medical services when witnessing an opioid overdose. Good Samaritan laws have been passed i...
link.springer.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Offering medication for opioid use disorders (MOUD, #addiction) in carceral settings has shown significant decreases in #overdose rates and re-incarceration, improvements in employment, and increased the odds of people continuing MOUD post-release. #harmreduction
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Playing whack-a-mole: Clear and concise explanation of one reason focusing on supply side (rather than demand side) drug enforcement has minimal impact on the availability of addictive substances in the US. #addiction #crime #drugs
www.talkingdrugs.org/playing-whac...
www.talkingdrugs.org/playing-whac...
"Playing Whack-a-Mole": A History of China's Drug Bans - TalkingDrugs
News of China's new nitazene ban prompted a deeper look into how past fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid drug bans worked out.
www.talkingdrugs.org
November 28, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Playing whack-a-mole: Clear and concise explanation of one reason focusing on supply side (rather than demand side) drug enforcement has minimal impact on the availability of addictive substances in the US. #addiction #crime #drugs
www.talkingdrugs.org/playing-whac...
www.talkingdrugs.org/playing-whac...
#Sobriety can be hard, including being perfectly abstinent from day 1, because many of us used the drugs to push down our pain. Take away the drugs and we feel the pain, which is challenging because we don't have experience dealing with it sober. #recoveryposse #healing
a south park character says it sure does hurt in the rain
ALT: a south park character says it sure does hurt in the rain
media.tenor.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
#Sobriety can be hard, including being perfectly abstinent from day 1, because many of us used the drugs to push down our pain. Take away the drugs and we feel the pain, which is challenging because we don't have experience dealing with it sober. #recoveryposse #healing
I certainly learned from others, in my #addiction recovery. But I also didn't adopt many strategies that worked for the people I met. Because those techniques weren't right for me. #empowerment #Secularism
a woman is talking to another woman and says " make your own decisions netflix "
ALT: a woman is talking to another woman and says " make your own decisions netflix "
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I certainly learned from others, in my #addiction recovery. But I also didn't adopt many strategies that worked for the people I met. Because those techniques weren't right for me. #empowerment #Secularism
Interesting blog about the Social Transmission of Recovery idea. And suggestions as to how to refocus #addiction recovery research on community based solutions. #recoveryposse #AddictionRecovery
recoveryreview.blog/2025/08/23/s...
recoveryreview.blog/2025/08/23/s...
Social Transmission of Recovery as a Helix of Connectivity, not a Service Checklist: A Conversation with Dr David Best
The Frontiers of Recovery Research Interview Series – William Stauffer What is this series of interviews? In April of 2024, I had the distinct honor of being asked by William White author and thoug…
recoveryreview.blog
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Interesting blog about the Social Transmission of Recovery idea. And suggestions as to how to refocus #addiction recovery research on community based solutions. #recoveryposse #AddictionRecovery
recoveryreview.blog/2025/08/23/s...
recoveryreview.blog/2025/08/23/s...
Important story about the particular challenges faced by #mothers who want #addiction treatment. #Parents
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Choose your child or choose recovery: The impossible decision facing addicted mothers
Shoshana Walter explores how the giant substance treatment industry fails people desperate for help.
www.motherjones.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Important story about the particular challenges faced by #mothers who want #addiction treatment. #Parents
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
When I talk to friends and family of those with an #addiction, I emphasize that everyone I know in recovery is friends and family too. I share this with them to let them know I understand their pain, fear, and frustration. #FamilyTherapy #RecoveryPosse
November 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
When I talk to friends and family of those with an #addiction, I emphasize that everyone I know in recovery is friends and family too. I share this with them to let them know I understand their pain, fear, and frustration. #FamilyTherapy #RecoveryPosse
In early #sobriety, it can be painful to face the lost time and missed opportunities. Which is 1 reason it can be helpful to meet others, ahead of you on the path, to see how much can be achieved even in just a couple years. #WeDoRecover #RecoveryPosse
November 25, 2025 at 12:59 PM
In early #sobriety, it can be painful to face the lost time and missed opportunities. Which is 1 reason it can be helpful to meet others, ahead of you on the path, to see how much can be achieved even in just a couple years. #WeDoRecover #RecoveryPosse
There's a much higher risk of developing an #Addiction if you have a high Adverse Childhood Experiences score. My score is 7 (out of 10). Which makes shooting meth at 17 and for another 15 years not as surprising as it would be otherwise. #ptsd #recoveryposse
americanspcc.org/take-the-ace...
americanspcc.org/take-the-ace...
Take The ACES Quiz
Take The ACES Quiz - American SPCC
americanspcc.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
There's a much higher risk of developing an #Addiction if you have a high Adverse Childhood Experiences score. My score is 7 (out of 10). Which makes shooting meth at 17 and for another 15 years not as surprising as it would be otherwise. #ptsd #recoveryposse
americanspcc.org/take-the-ace...
americanspcc.org/take-the-ace...
Brain imaging consistent with our understanding that the brain's neuroplasticity processes work in recovery such that our brain heals with extended #sobriety. #addiction #recoveryposse
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Brain imaging consistent with our understanding that the brain's neuroplasticity processes work in recovery such that our brain heals with extended #sobriety. #addiction #recoveryposse
One of the #podcast episodes interviewing me is on IMBD! #recoveryposse #addiction
m.imdb.com/title/tt3556...
m.imdb.com/title/tt3556...
"Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast" Journey from drug addict to Judge. Her amazing story (Podcast Episode 2025) | Talk-Show
Journey from drug addict to Judge. Her amazing story: With Mary Beth O'Connor, John Jay Wiley. Few stories are as inspiring as Mary Beth O'Connor's remarkable journey from childhood trauma to becoming...
m.imdb.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:41 AM
One of the #podcast episodes interviewing me is on IMBD! #recoveryposse #addiction
m.imdb.com/title/tt3556...
m.imdb.com/title/tt3556...
Mary Beth came to our library to do a reading and everyone was checking out a copy of the book and bringing it back in two days. They said it was unputdownable. - Librarian KWinks, Goodreads Reviewer #memoir #quitlit #booklover
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
November 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Mary Beth came to our library to do a reading and everyone was checking out a copy of the book and bringing it back in two days. They said it was unputdownable. - Librarian KWinks, Goodreads Reviewer #memoir #quitlit #booklover
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
Concise article by @dr4liberty
about why focusing on increased criminal penalties for certain drugs has been, and continues to be, a failed approach. #opioid #Fentanyl #overdose
www.acsh.org/news/2025/08...
about why focusing on increased criminal penalties for certain drugs has been, and continues to be, a failed approach. #opioid #Fentanyl #overdose
www.acsh.org/news/2025/08...
From Fentanyl to Nitazenes: Why the Drug War Keeps Making the Danger Worse
After warning for years—to policymakers’ deaf ears—that doubling down on failed drug war policies will only cause more dangerous drugs, like nitazenes, to emerge, we see it happening in real time.
www.acsh.org
November 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Concise article by @dr4liberty
about why focusing on increased criminal penalties for certain drugs has been, and continues to be, a failed approach. #opioid #Fentanyl #overdose
www.acsh.org/news/2025/08...
about why focusing on increased criminal penalties for certain drugs has been, and continues to be, a failed approach. #opioid #Fentanyl #overdose
www.acsh.org/news/2025/08...
Interesting piece from the Center for Motivation and Change about how #families might think about combining positive reinforcement and limiting enabling strategies to motivate those struggling with #addiction. #recoveryposse
motivationandchange.com/natural-consequences-worlds-way-give-feedback/
motivationandchange.com/natural-consequences-worlds-way-give-feedback/
November 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Interesting piece from the Center for Motivation and Change about how #families might think about combining positive reinforcement and limiting enabling strategies to motivate those struggling with #addiction. #recoveryposse
motivationandchange.com/natural-consequences-worlds-way-give-feedback/
motivationandchange.com/natural-consequences-worlds-way-give-feedback/
When I speak to judges, I point out that being arrested for drug possession doesn't mean the person is addicted. And give the data about how most people use all drugs in moderation. The judges often are surprised by this. #Judge #attorneys #Lawyers
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
When I speak to judges, I point out that being arrested for drug possession doesn't mean the person is addicted. And give the data about how most people use all drugs in moderation. The judges often are surprised by this. #Judge #attorneys #Lawyers