The hardest part of addiction recovery in North Carolina often has nothing to do with quitting. It starts much earlier, with the fear of being judged for needing help at all. This article explores why so many people stay silent about substance use, how trauma and mental health are deeply connected to addiction, and why Medicaid-covered treatment is becoming a lifeline for working families across NC.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — the time of year when we check in on each other and ourselves to ensure we are taking care of our mental well-being.

Struggling to find the right center for addiction or mental health treatment? Here are some steps to take if previous treatment centers haven't worked.