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Grace J.O.

Writer, editor, clinical research specialist.

I work as a clinical research specialist and writer at Recovery.com, writing articles that educate and inform, and the occasional novel or short story.

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My Experience

I've written articles on a variety of topics with different goals for each piece. Now, I write and research in the addiction and mental health field, helping people make an informed decision about their treatment and advance research. I create brand messaging and contribute to marketing efforts through long and short-form copy. 

I've also worked with different clients to craft articles with their keywords, goals, and SEO optimization in mind. I have over one hundred 5-star ratings from these clients. 

About Me

Experienced in writing in the mental health, addiction, and recovery fields, I aim to bring engagement and interest to every piece I write. 

As a researcher I help develop and write studies, proposals, and papers. I'm honored to co-present at behavioral health conferences, adding to conversations with my lived experiences.

Outside work, I enjoy writing YA fiction, reading Stephen King, and painting Starry Night in colors it's not supposed to be.

Creative-Fiction Me

After work and on weekends, I write fiction. I have a lot of fun with YA fiction and have completed a novel in the speculative YA genre. I'm currently working on a fantasy. I started writing books at 16 and have been working on a book in some capacity ever since. 


Some of my favorite authors include Patrick Ness, Stephen King, Leigh Bardugo, Suzanne Collins, and Dane Bahr.

My Portfolio

Below are pieces of my published work. I contribute to web/brand copy across Recovery.com.

Recovery.com

The Addiction Cycle: What are the 5 Stages of Addiction?

Addiction often follows a cycle with distinct stages. It’s repetitive in nature since the act of taking addictive drugs releases dopamine, which reinforces the behavior—causing repetition. As this cycle repeats, the likelihood of addiction grows until it’s realized. Thankfully, treatment works at each stage, whether you’ve just started or have been in active addiction for years. Stages of The Addiction CycleThe stages of addiction typically involve initiating substance use, developing dependence...
Recovery.com

How Traumatic Invalidation Leads to Personality Disorders

Invalidation takes many forms, from obvious “I don’t believe you”s to more subtle reactions, like not listening or telling you how your experience should feel. When someone doesn’t accept or believe your experiences and emotions, it invalidates them and can lead to numerous psychological effects, including personality disorders.Invalidation that extends over a long period of time with intensity is considered traumatic, as it alters your perception of self and others. Traumatic invalidation often...
Recovery.com

Why the Anti-Drug Campaign "Just Say No" Failed

The “Just Say No” anti-drug movement, buoyed by good intentions and hopes to end the newly redeclared War on Drugs, sank to the depths of unimportance and, worse, ineffectiveness. Despite nationwide efforts and leadership from First Lady Nancy Reagan, teens remained just as likely to use drugs as before—in some cases, more likely.Why? How could something so simple not succeed?It was largely due to the placement of blame for drug use and a lack of education on addiction. We’ll explore why that ha...
Recovery.com

At a Glance: The Fentanyl Crisis in America

Headlines about fentanyl being ‘a crisis’ increasingly pepper local and national news outlets. At first thought, a drug may not seem like a crisis in the same way floodings, pandemics, and wars do. But fentanyl has thoroughly earned its label as a crisis, and this article will delve into why—plus, how you can keep yourself and others safe.What Is Fentanyl?Definition and UsesFentanyl is a synthetic opioid1, deadly at extremely small doses (less than a couple grains of salt). In the medical settin...
Recovery.com

Can You Be Predisposed to Addiction?

Your genes affect your hair color, height, personality, and even your music taste. But can they go so far as predisposing you to a substance or behavioral addiction? Research says yes—but the reasons aren’t as cut-and-dried as having a certain gene or not. But in any case, it’s crucial to note that being predisposed to addiction doesn’t mean you’ll become addicted. Other factors contribute much more heavily to addiction, like your environment, life situation, past traumas, and more.The Role of E...
Recovery.com

Can You Be Addicted to Sugar?

Many of us relish having a ‘sweet treat’ after a meal or as a pick-me-up during the afternoon slump. You’ve likely experienced the little treat turning into a second slice of cake, another sliver, and just one more. Not having something sweet after a meal, or whenever the fancy strikes, can feel like a serious blow. The media has drawn more attention to the idea of sugar addiction, leading many to wonder, can you really be addicted to sugar? You can. But like other addictions, you can also recov...
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   "Shockingly informative."  

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   "Fantastic work, some of the best in the business."

   "Decidingly exquisite, shockingly entertaining. These are a few of my favourite things when reading her work."

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