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
There are so many negative consequences to criminalizing drugs, to individuals and society. Plus, people using drugs either have a substance use disorder, so we should help them. Or they do it for fun or for emotional relief, neither of which is any of my business. #crimes #addiction
December 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
There are so many negative consequences to criminalizing drugs, to individuals and society. Plus, people using drugs either have a substance use disorder, so we should help them. Or they do it for fun or for emotional relief, neither of which is any of my business. #crimes #addiction
Drives me crazy when #harmreduction and #addiction treatment are put forward as diametrically opposed choices, as if we can pick just 1. Even if treatment is the goal, engaging in harm reduction services increases the odds of starting and completing treatment. Assuming people can get access!
December 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Drives me crazy when #harmreduction and #addiction treatment are put forward as diametrically opposed choices, as if we can pick just 1. Even if treatment is the goal, engaging in harm reduction services increases the odds of starting and completing treatment. Assuming people can get access!
I found that taking control of my #addiction recovery helped me build skills to handle life generally. Thinking about who I was, my goals, my priorities, researching and listening to others, setting the plan, implementing, revising, etc. #recoveryposse #wedorecover
November 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I found that taking control of my #addiction recovery helped me build skills to handle life generally. Thinking about who I was, my goals, my priorities, researching and listening to others, setting the plan, implementing, revising, etc. #recoveryposse #wedorecover
When I speak or do workshops, I often include the trauma/addiction connection. To try to increase understanding and empathy. #recoveryposse #addiction #trauma
November 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
When I speak or do workshops, I often include the trauma/addiction connection. To try to increase understanding and empathy. #recoveryposse #addiction #trauma
If someone tells you that you MUST follow any specific program, they either are misleading you on purpose OR they don't understand as much about recovery as they think they do. And it's dangerous, because people do better in programs that fit them best. #addiction #sobriety
November 29, 2025 at 5:50 PM
If someone tells you that you MUST follow any specific program, they either are misleading you on purpose OR they don't understand as much about recovery as they think they do. And it's dangerous, because people do better in programs that fit them best. #addiction #sobriety
When I talk to friends and family of those with an #addiction, I emphasize that everyone I know in recovery is friends and family too. I share this with them to let them know I understand their pain, fear, and frustration. #FamilyTherapy #RecoveryPosse
November 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
When I talk to friends and family of those with an #addiction, I emphasize that everyone I know in recovery is friends and family too. I share this with them to let them know I understand their pain, fear, and frustration. #FamilyTherapy #RecoveryPosse
Brain imaging consistent with our understanding that the brain's neuroplasticity processes work in recovery such that our brain heals with extended #sobriety. #addiction #recoveryposse
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Brain imaging consistent with our understanding that the brain's neuroplasticity processes work in recovery such that our brain heals with extended #sobriety. #addiction #recoveryposse
Mary Beth came to our library to do a reading and everyone was checking out a copy of the book and bringing it back in two days. They said it was unputdownable. - Librarian KWinks, Goodreads Reviewer #memoir #quitlit #booklover
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
November 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Mary Beth came to our library to do a reading and everyone was checking out a copy of the book and bringing it back in two days. They said it was unputdownable. - Librarian KWinks, Goodreads Reviewer #memoir #quitlit #booklover
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
a.co/d/9yLRI1l
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