NOTE: Sober Linings Playbook is a personal website. Any views or opinions expressed herein belong solely to the website owner and do not represent those of individuals or organizations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated.

Guest columns

Kratom Regulatory Reform
Recently, an influx of news coverage reignited a national debate about kratom's potential benefits and risks. Derived from a psychoactive plant native to southeastern Asia, kratom products range from mild beverages to capsules with ground leaves to potent extracts.  Kratom is banned in six states as well as a handful of other cities and counties in the United States.
Charlie, www.Kratomsobriety.com - Oct. 9, 2023

Interviews

California State Senator Scott Wiener
California Senator Scott Wiener on Harm Reduction and his “Overdose Prevention Program” Proposal (SB 57)
SLP - July 8, 2022

SLP Insights Interview with Phillip Fiuty: Harm Reduction Services in Rural Northern New Mexico
Phillip Fiuty, Harm Reduction Program Director for The Mountain Center discusses challenges and opportunities with respect to delivering effective harm reduction services in northern New Mexico.
SLP - April 23, 2022

SLP Insights: A conversation with Dr. Katie Witkiewitz about recovery beyond abstinence, multiple pathways to recovery and the importance of pursuing a life worth living
Dr. Witkiewitz is Regents’ Professor of Psychology and a scientist at the Center on Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions (CASAA) at the University of New Mexico. She took time to speak with SLP about her work on mindfulness-based relapse prevention as a psychotherapeutic approach to treating alcohol and other drug use disorders.
SLP - March 21, 2022

SLP Insights: Interview w/ Author Jordan Barnes (“Bridgetown: A Harm Reduction Novel”)
Hawaii-based author Jordan Barnes speaks with SLP about his memoir which recounts his experiences with addiction during his college years in Portland, Oregon, undergoing treatment in Hawaii, and his thoughts on Oregon’s Measure 110.
SLP - Feb. 22, 2022

SLP Insights: Interview w/ Dr. Carl Erik Fisher
Columbia University Psychiatrist Dr. Carl Erik Fisher speaks with SLP about his book (“The Urge: Our History of Addiction”), his podcast (“Flourishing After Addiction”), and his personal history with addiction.
SLP - Jan. 25, 2022

SLP Podcast appearances

Shatterproof, Addiction, Legislation, Relapse, Loving an Addict, Alcoholism, MAT, Recovery | EP 42
On this episode of the 'Fuck the Stigma' podcast, we're joined by Shatterproof, a game-changing organization dedicated to tackling addiction head-on. Grant and Laisha discuss the invaluable resources Shatterproof provides, including the groundbreaking tool 'Atlas,' designed to guide individuals seeking treatment. Tune in as they candidly address the pervasive stigma surrounding addiction and relapse, advocate for destigmatized language, and shed light on their efforts in influencing legislation. This conversation goes beyond breaking barriers—it's a call to action for a more compassionate and understanding approach to addiction.
F#ck the Stigma - Nov. 9, 2023

RE 451: What to Say to Someone Who is About to Drink
Today we interview Grant. He is 54 from Sacramento, CA and took his last drink on August 9th, 2020. Paul gives us some tried and true methods that work and strategies that the Recovery Elevator team believe in.
Recovery Elevator Podcast - Oct. 9, 2023

From Addiction’s Trance to Recovery’s Dance: A Discussion of Alcohol, Addiction and Public Policy with Grant Boyken
Grant is back! Join us as the OG Monkster and creator of the popular website, soberliningsplaybook.com, shares his insights on the current public policy issues surrounding drug and alcohol addiction, and catches us up on what’s been going on in his life. In this week’s far ranging interview, Mike and Grant explore multiple aspects of current addiction policy, including the controversial topic of forced treatment. Don't miss this episode if you're interested in the crossroads of policy, addiction, and recovery. 
Recovery in the Middle Ages Podcast - May 23, 2023

Grant Returns! We catch up on his adventures in recovery and recent career Change
This week Grant Boyken, OG monkster and editor-at large of the RMA newsroom, returns after a year’s absence to fill us in on how it feels to have two years sobriety, what it’s like to be working with Shatterproof, and how turning 53 helped him focus in on what is really important in life. We also discuss Shatterproof’s ATLAS addiction treatment locator, and a whole bunch of other cool stuff. 
Recovery in the Middle Ages Podcast - Sept. 30, 2022

The Gallows Humor of Recovery – Grant B. stops in to discuss his sober journey
Grant had a successful career and a solid family life until the day came where he could no longer hide the fact that he was living another life where he was drinking all day, and quietly falling apart.  But don’t worry! The story has a happy ending. 
Recovery in the Middle Ages Podcast - Sept. 17, 2021

SLP Originals

Take 3 w/ SLP
(1) alcohol industry concerns about the “sober curious” movement; (2) research on medication for stimulant use disorder; and (3) kratom.
SLP - Oct. 25, 2023

Will heightened focus on fentanyl lead to short-sighted solutions?
In this month’s SLP’ insight: When a crisis creates opportunities for change, shouldn’t we be thinking about what’s next and not just about what’s now?
SLP - July 6, 2023

Here’s to high times ahead: Anonymous letter to a newcomer in rehab
In this month’s SLP’ insight: An anonymous letter to a person in the first days in a residential addiction treatment program.
SLP - May 28, 2023

April is Alcohol Awareness Month
SLP’s reflections on Alcohol Awareness Month.
SLP - April 30, 2023

TAKE 3 W/ SLP, February 2023
SLP’s monthly take on 3 stories that deserve a closer look. This month: (1) Has the crackdown on opioid prescribing become a pain in the ass?; (2) Is private equity’s expansion into addiction treatment putting revenue before recovery, profits before people?; and (3) Stamping out smoking and the stigma of addiction: SLP’s early look at 2023 California legislative proposals.
SLP - March 1, 2023

TAKE 3 W/ SLP, January 2023
SLP’s monthly take on 3 stories that deserve a closer look. This month: (1) Dr. Drew’s views on MAT; (2) RI study suggests pharmacists could play key role in treating addiction; and (3) Goodbye to Dry January.
SLP - Jan. 25, 2023