About Ask An Addict
Understanding begins when people feel safe enough to be honest.
Ask An Addict is a peer-support community for people struggling with addiction, people living in recovery, and the families and friends who love them.
Why I brought this community back
A note from founder Matt LeRose
I first created Ask An Addict more than a decade ago after seeing addiction affect people I love. I am not an addiction professional, and I do not pretend to have every answer. What I learned is that families often have questions they are afraid to ask, while people with lived experience have insight that can help others feel less alone.
The original community brought together people in recovery, people still struggling, parents, partners, and friends. They listened to one another, formed friendships, and offered the kind of understanding that can only come from honest experience. I rebuilt Ask An Addict because that kind of connection still matters.
My goal is simple: create a respectful place where real questions can receive honest, compassionate answers without shame or judgment.
Lived experience matters
Members may speak from their own experiences with addiction, recovery, family relationships, setbacks, and hope. No one person’s story is presented as the answer for everyone.
Safety comes first
New contributions may be reviewed, concerning content can be reported, and moderators can remove material that threatens the safety or dignity of the community.
People deserve privacy
Members can use screen names and choose what they share. We encourage everyone to protect identifying information and reveal only what feels safe.
How our resources are prepared
Experience and evidence serve different purposes.
Community posts are personal experiences, not universal advice. Educational and safety pages are written in plain language using sources such as SAMHSA, CDC, NIDA, 988, and FindTreatment.gov. Each guide identifies its sources and review date. We correct outdated information when we learn that guidance or contact details have changed.
Ask An Addict does not accept payment to recommend a treatment provider in its educational guidance. If that policy ever changes, sponsored placement will be clearly labeled.
Peer support, not medical care
Ask An Addict does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, emergency response, or treatment. Community posts reflect individual experiences and should not replace guidance from qualified health professionals. If someone may be in immediate danger or experiencing an overdose, call 911. For crisis and treatment resources, visit our help page.