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The Walrus

addiction

A blurred portrait photograph of a woman.
Society

Why Should I Feel Ashamed of My Opioid Prescription?

September 15, 2021September 21, 2021 - by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Chronic pain devastated my life. Drugs restored it

Read More
Red ring marks from the bottom of a glass form an abstract pattern on a black background
January/February 2021 / Memoir

My Struggle with Sobriety

January 6, 2021June 8, 2021 - by Mel Lefebvre

The decision to quit drinking was the right one for me. But, as I have learned, there’s no perfect way to do it

Read More
A man holds up a protest sign that says "Wake up we're dying."
Health

The Pandemic Is Intensifying the Opioid Crisis

September 14, 2020September 17, 2020 - by Alexandra Harvey

Public health measures meant to contain COVID-19 have caused a spike in overdose-related deaths

Read More
Psychedelic-style illustration of a man wearing a white coat and large goggles to protect his eyes. In the goggles' reflection, we see two hands pouring brightly-coloured material from one into the other. His hair is a spectrum of brightly-coloured waves.
Health / May 2020

Why It’s So Hard to Legalize Recreational Drugs

April 28, 2020June 10, 2020 - by Jonah Brunet

Scientists believe that newly invented psychoactive substances might have untapped health benefits. Too bad none of us will ever get to try them

Read More
A blurred photo of an old-fashioned glass containing several cubes of ice and an amber liquid, against a black background.
Society

Seeing Myself in My Mother’s Addiction

December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 - by Helen Knott

In our struggles with sobriety, my mom and I were each other’s reflections

Read More
jigsaw pieces on a beige background
Uncategorized

Saying No to Drugs Isn’t an Answer to Addiction

August 29, 2018November 12, 2019 - by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Why one Ottawa doctor believes harm reduction is the most effective treatment for drug use

Read More
Illustration by Vesna Asanovic
Uncategorized

Wake and Bake

April 20, 2017April 3, 2020 - by Felix Vikhman

A psychotherapist details the rise of marijuana-induced psychosis among his clients

Read More
red cat looking at its own shadow
Health / January/February 2016

The Last House before the Bridge

December 22, 2015April 7, 2020 - by Jonathan Kay

What addicts need most

Read More
Illustration by Alëna Skarina
Memoir / November 2014

Giving Up the Ghost

October 22, 2014April 13, 2020 - by Lynn Cunningham

When it comes to quitting smoking, you’re on your own

Read More

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The Walrus' March/April 2023 cover featuring artwork of the megachurch March/April 2023
It was massively popular. It billed itself as a new kind of church. Then sexual abuse and misconduct allegations surfaced against its leaders

Part of The Trust Project

Read more about The Trust Project and how this article fits in it

Part of The Trust Project

The Trust Project is a collaboration among news organizations around the world. Its goal is to create strategies that fulfill journalism’s basic pledge: to serve society with a truthful, intelligent and comprehensive account of ideas and events.

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