Blog

Los Angeles skyline during sunset with city buildings and sun in the background.
Interior of sober residence with wooden table and chairs in Los Angeles.
April 27, 2026

David van der Velde on why Treatment Providers Must Raise the Standard

Awakening's Co-Founder and Executive Director has written an article that takes on the unfortunate perception problem that the field of […]
Person walking down a concrete staircase at Awakening Recovery in Los Angeles.
April 21, 2026

Compassionate Accountability Needs a Real Path Home - an Article by David van der Velde

Awakening's Executive Director has written an article on LinkedIn that discusses compassionate accountability through the lens of harm reduction policies […]
Person contemplating with medication bottles on table in recovery setting.
April 7, 2026

David van der Velde Takes on Recovery and Psychedelic Treatment

For years, parts of the recovery world and parts of the mental health world have often talked past each other. […]
Person walking on forest trail during sunrise in Los Angeles.
April 6, 2026

How Recovery Becomes Sustainable by David Van der Velde

Beyond the abstinence from drugs or alcohol, what are the inner changes that happen that make recovery sustainable? This is […]
Abstract art representing mental health and recovery with interconnected lines and eye imagery.
October 8, 2025

Recovery as a Blueprint for Alignment by David Van Der Velde

In a recent article on Thrive Global, Our co-founding Exec. Dir. David Vandervelde discusses the intersection of his own recovery […]
Person walking through a tunnel symbolizing hope and recovery in sobriety.
July 8, 2025

David Van Der Velde on the Need to Focus More on Non-Fatal Overdoses

In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Recovery Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde weighs in on […]
Decorative golden stars with festive lights for holiday celebration.
December 1, 2024

David Van Der Velde Discusses Staying Sober During the Holidays

David Van Der Velde shared a post to Thrive Global about how to approach the holidays this year for those […]
Close-up of pills representing drug addiction and overdose risks.
May 6, 2024

David Van Der Velde Writes About the Dangers of Fentanyl in Thrive Global

In David Van Der Velde's latest post to to Thrive Global, he warned about a very serious danger that opioid-using […]
Person holding a holiday-themed recovery gift box in front of a decorated Christmas tree.
December 13, 2023

How to Approach the Holidays in Recovery

David Van Der Velde shared a post to Thrive Global about how to approach the holidays this year for both […]
August 24, 2023

Young People are Being Negatively Impacted by Marijuana and Meth

In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Co-Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde discussed the the challenges […]
March 31, 2023

An Article About the Need For Long-Term Recovery Solutions For Women

In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Co-Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde, discussed the need for […]
October 28, 2022

David Van Der Velde Writes About the Unique Challenges the Holidays Present to Early Recovery

In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Co-Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde, discussed the unique challenges […]
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