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
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
November 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Incremental healing and improvement is the norm for most of us recovering from #trauma. It's important to notice that forward momentum, particularly for those of us (me included) who tend toward focusing on the negative. #recoveryposse #PTSD
November 19, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Incremental healing and improvement is the norm for most of us recovering from #trauma. It's important to notice that forward momentum, particularly for those of us (me included) who tend toward focusing on the negative. #recoveryposse #PTSD
Studies repeatedly show that syringe services programs (which I used in the 80s/90s) reduce discarded needles in the community and do not increase crime. They can halve new HIV and hepatitis C cases, increase entry into addiction treatment fivefold, and save taxpayer money.
November 19, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Studies repeatedly show that syringe services programs (which I used in the 80s/90s) reduce discarded needles in the community and do not increase crime. They can halve new HIV and hepatitis C cases, increase entry into addiction treatment fivefold, and save taxpayer money.
The vast majority of people entering the penal system meet diagnostic criterion for #addiction, which is a massive human rights violation because we’re putting people with a mental illness in a cage. - Dr. James Craig, Addiction Specialist #recoveryposse #crimes
November 18, 2025 at 7:26 PM
The vast majority of people entering the penal system meet diagnostic criterion for #addiction, which is a massive human rights violation because we’re putting people with a mental illness in a cage. - Dr. James Craig, Addiction Specialist #recoveryposse #crimes
We've never spent the monies necessary to offer drug treatment, along with other mental health treatment, plus the other services needed (housing, employment, physical health). Yet we judge the current system, and those struggling, as if we'd already done all this. #addiction
November 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
We've never spent the monies necessary to offer drug treatment, along with other mental health treatment, plus the other services needed (housing, employment, physical health). Yet we judge the current system, and those struggling, as if we'd already done all this. #addiction
Important article about the limitations and false positives for #fentanyl urine testing. And how, despite this, there is excessive reliance on such tests by the criminal "justice" system. #judges #parole
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
November 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Important article about the limitations and false positives for #fentanyl urine testing. And how, despite this, there is excessive reliance on such tests by the criminal "justice" system. #judges #parole
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
This is a google page for "mary beth o'connor, junkie to judge" which reminds me that I've been busy. You'll see more than the screenshot if you click the link:
www.bing.com/images/searc...
www.bing.com/images/searc...
November 15, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This is a google page for "mary beth o'connor, junkie to judge" which reminds me that I've been busy. You'll see more than the screenshot if you click the link:
www.bing.com/images/searc...
www.bing.com/images/searc...
Deep discussion in this #podcast about my many post-#sobriety career changes, including becoming a #judge and my current writing and speaking work.
www.bing.com/videos/river...
www.bing.com/videos/river...
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Deep discussion in this #podcast about my many post-#sobriety career changes, including becoming a #judge and my current writing and speaking work.
www.bing.com/videos/river...
www.bing.com/videos/river...
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I believe I can't safely consume drugs (including alcohol). I don't conclude, though, that I am forever an addict. And certainly this is not the essence of who I am. Which is why I stopped identifying myself that way in meetings at 6 months sober. #recoveryposse #AddictionRecovery
November 6, 2025 at 4:46 AM
I believe I can't safely consume drugs (including alcohol). I don't conclude, though, that I am forever an addict. And certainly this is not the essence of who I am. Which is why I stopped identifying myself that way in meetings at 6 months sober. #recoveryposse #AddictionRecovery
I don't argue with people trying moderation, but instead encourage setting a specific plan and being honest if they can't do it: "[R]esearch shows that attempting moderation often still leads to abstinence, since failures at cutting back help people realize they need to quit." @maiasz.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I don't argue with people trying moderation, but instead encourage setting a specific plan and being honest if they can't do it: "[R]esearch shows that attempting moderation often still leads to abstinence, since failures at cutting back help people realize they need to quit." @maiasz.bsky.social
The "becoming a judge" part of my story is unusual. Unfortunately, the "child abuse led to childhood #addiction" part is not. #recoveryposse #Trauma
November 4, 2025 at 11:50 PM
The "becoming a judge" part of my story is unusual. Unfortunately, the "child abuse led to childhood #addiction" part is not. #recoveryposse #Trauma
To reduce harmful drug use among #teens, improve kid’s abilities to cope with stress. These interventions decrease reward discounting, resulting in increased high school completion rates, and other signs of valuing distant rewards -- Neuroscientist Keith Humphreys, Stanford #addiction #parents
November 4, 2025 at 7:49 PM
To reduce harmful drug use among #teens, improve kid’s abilities to cope with stress. These interventions decrease reward discounting, resulting in increased high school completion rates, and other signs of valuing distant rewards -- Neuroscientist Keith Humphreys, Stanford #addiction #parents
As far back as I can remember, I had #anxiety symptoms. Counting behaviors, superstitious beliefs, and perfectionism as just a few examples. #trauma #ptsdrecovery
November 3, 2025 at 7:17 PM
As far back as I can remember, I had #anxiety symptoms. Counting behaviors, superstitious beliefs, and perfectionism as just a few examples. #trauma #ptsdrecovery
#Trauma can be the cause of perfectionism and overwork. That's part of how I responded to my extensive trauma history. Did this help me excel at a top 10 law school and become a judge? Yes. Did it often make me miserable with anxiety? Also yes. #recoveryposse #PTSDWarrior
November 2, 2025 at 12:48 PM
#Trauma can be the cause of perfectionism and overwork. That's part of how I responded to my extensive trauma history. Did this help me excel at a top 10 law school and become a judge? Yes. Did it often make me miserable with anxiety? Also yes. #recoveryposse #PTSDWarrior
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
In the depths of my #addiction, I would "brag" that I'd never even tried to quit! To which my drug using friends would laugh. The reality was I didn't think I could because my #Trauma pain was so severe. I'm glad I eventually tried and succeeded. #RecoveryPosse
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
In the depths of my #addiction, I would "brag" that I'd never even tried to quit! To which my drug using friends would laugh. The reality was I didn't think I could because my #Trauma pain was so severe. I'm glad I eventually tried and succeeded. #RecoveryPosse
I'm happy for those of you who only were told about 12-steps and recovered because that program worked for you. At the same time, I'm grateful to my younger self for taking the initiative to find options that fit me better. #recoveryposse #addiction #sobriety
October 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I'm happy for those of you who only were told about 12-steps and recovered because that program worked for you. At the same time, I'm grateful to my younger self for taking the initiative to find options that fit me better. #recoveryposse #addiction #sobriety
I was [] taken by the very vivid and descriptive writing the author utilized in communicating her story. I was then blown away by the honesty and grit. Very powerful [and shows] that we can all overcome our trauma's, obstacles, and hurdles . - DD, Amazon Reviewer #memoir #quitlit
a.co/d/a4CuChr
a.co/d/a4CuChr
October 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I was [] taken by the very vivid and descriptive writing the author utilized in communicating her story. I was then blown away by the honesty and grit. Very powerful [and shows] that we can all overcome our trauma's, obstacles, and hurdles . - DD, Amazon Reviewer #memoir #quitlit
a.co/d/a4CuChr
a.co/d/a4CuChr
This article is a good overview of the studies on the health impact of #alcohol, including for those who drink moderately. The overall message is that less is better, even for those without an alcohol use disorder/#addiction. #healthylifestyle
www.msn.com/en-us/health...
www.msn.com/en-us/health...
October 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This article is a good overview of the studies on the health impact of #alcohol, including for those who drink moderately. The overall message is that less is better, even for those without an alcohol use disorder/#addiction. #healthylifestyle
www.msn.com/en-us/health...
www.msn.com/en-us/health...
The "what didn't kill you makes you stronger" ideology irritates me. First, abuse does kill many people, through suicide, addiction, etc. Second, surviving often leaves you with many issues, at least until you get the help you need to heal. #trauma #recoveryposse #MentalHealth
October 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
The "what didn't kill you makes you stronger" ideology irritates me. First, abuse does kill many people, through suicide, addiction, etc. Second, surviving often leaves you with many issues, at least until you get the help you need to heal. #trauma #recoveryposse #MentalHealth