The hottest Recovery Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

I tried David Chapman's chronic-fatigue-defying six-mile run. It worked.

Human Programming • 984 implied HN points • 19 Mar 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. A deliberately chosen, intense bout of exercise (a six-mile run) coincided with a rapid and sustained improvement in energy and function for a week, suggesting some post-viral fatigue can be overturned by action. This hints that perception and mindset may play a big role in how fatigue is experienced and responded to.
  2. Slow, deliberate reintroduction of activity—running, climbing, and light lifting—combined with social support and small, repeated successes helped rebuild confidence and physical capacity. Accepting mild soreness and testing limits in controlled ways provided useful disconfirming evidence against the fear of permanent relapse.
  3. Significant caution and uncertainty remain: this approach is not medical advice and may not work for everyone, with real risk of post-exertional malaise or setbacks. The safest path is to monitor symptoms closely, proceed gradually, and reduce activity if things worsen.

How I Grew Out of Weed

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1242 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Recovery
  1. Occasional weed use in high school escalated into daily smoking and experimenting with prescription pills.
  2. Parents discovered lies and pills, gave stern warnings, and ultimately issued a nonnegotiable ultimatum.
  3. Being kicked out after graduation forced a reckoning and marked the turning point that began a new phase of life.

Need a few days off

In My Tribe • 455 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. A switch from Benadryl to Flonase led to an unusually strong reaction to the steroid medication.
  2. That reaction produced a big increase in appetite and racing thoughts, making it hard to concentrate.
  3. They plan to take a few days off to recover their focus and expect to resume posting soon.

Is today your day?

Disaffected Newsletter • 2138 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Getting sober is possible, and there are many ways to do it that work for different people.
  2. Some people quit drinking all at once, while others might go to rehab or join support groups.
  3. The important thing is to find what works best for you and your situation.

Laser Eye Surgery

Cremieux Recueil • 404 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Laser eye surgery is a mature, widely used set of procedures that are generally safe and effective, with serious long-term complications being rare. Many patients notice dramatically clearer vision immediately or shortly after the operation.
  2. Different procedures trade off speed, recovery, and side effects: PRK has a longer healing time but very stable results, LASIK offers very fast recovery using a corneal flap, SMILE avoids a flap and has the lowest risk of dry eye, and ICL/RLE are better for very high prescriptions or older patients. You should weigh factors like cornea thickness, prescription strength, and how easy revisions would be.
  3. Deciding which surgery to get is a personal choice based on your eye anatomy, age, goals, risk tolerance, and budget. For many people the procedure is cost-effective and noticeably improves daily life.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Going all in on becoming a Hyrox Athlete (Guest Post by Holly Gabrielle) | #323

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 66 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Recovery
  1. She quit a stable writing job to go all‑in on becoming an elite Hyrox athlete, choosing action over safety to chase a bold, concrete goal.
  2. Stepping away from work is about more than time — it’s about reclaiming mental energy for focused training, recovery, and better planning using an essentialist, "Hell yeah or no" approach.
  3. She’s rebuilding a fitness-focused brand with her partner and documenting the journey while living in cheaper cities to stretch savings; there’s little income now and clear financial risk, but she views the pursuit as worth the tradeoff.

Family Week

Ladyparts • 1058 implied HN points • 30 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author realized her partner was an addict and had been lying about various things, impacting her trust and perception of their relationship.
  2. It is important to share stories of betrayal and shame as a way to heal, reclaim power, and counteract unwarranted shame.
  3. The experience with the addict partner highlighted the complexities of trust, betrayal, and the challenges of recognizing deceit even in close relationships.

After the Fall

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 4166 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Falling can have both physical and emotional impacts, regardless of age.
  2. Injuries can lead to challenges and vulnerability, requiring support from others.
  3. Reflecting on experiences can spark insights and prompt a reevaluation of self-perception.

Letter From Home: May

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 2044 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author tested positive for Covid-19 and shared the experience with their children.
  2. The normalization of Covid-19 is highlighted in the context of the pandemic's evolution.
  3. Despite the life disruptions, the author maintains gratitude for advancements in vaccines and treatments.

A Sadness That Holds Hope For Joy

The Recovering Academic • 1108 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author's experience in academia made him doubt his profession and himself, leading to a significant shift in his life.
  2. The transition out of academia was filled with sadness and nostalgia, but also led to new beginnings and hope for the future.
  3. The recovery process involved accepting personal truths, finding support in others with similar experiences, and rediscovering joy after difficult times.

The Worst, Worst Week

Culture Study • 8643 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author's dog passed away, leading to deep sadness and grief.
  2. The author is also recovering from their first case of COVID, adding to the difficult week.
  3. The author is taking a break from the newsletter to heal and put themselves back together.

Recovering from the flood

Disaffected Newsletter • 1658 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Recovery
  1. Vermont experienced severe flooding that caused extensive damage, with many homes destroyed and roads impassable. People have lost everything, and the landscape has changed significantly.
  2. The author has lost their job and is struggling financially, needing to move into a new apartment after their current home was flooded. They are looking for support to recover from the disaster.
  3. Any extra funds raised will go towards helping others affected by the flood, including providing assistance to a displaced tenant. The author emphasizes the need for community support and collective recovery.

"I thought you were dead."

Message from the Underworld • 569 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author celebrates 15 years of sobriety, showing that it's never too late to make a positive change in life.
  2. Alcoholism can lead to destructive behaviors, but seeking help and making a change is possible.
  3. Reflecting on the past can help in moving forward and making better choices for the future.

Goodbye 2025 and Hello 2026

Human Programming • 77 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. A prolonged, non-linear illness disrupted life and recovery was unpredictable, forcing pauses on work and plans.
  2. Community, creative projects, and travel gradually restored energy and purpose, including finishing a piano album and advancing other projects.
  3. There is a clear commitment to write more often in 2026 with a weekly Wednesday post on a new blog, focusing on health, personal systems, and AI.

You can do it

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. You have the power to choose to quit drinking and make positive changes in your life. It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as it's a choice that helps you.
  2. Stopping drinking can reveal a lot of painful truths about your life and choices, but facing those realities is necessary for growth. It's hard at first, but it can lead to a healthier perspective.
  3. Believe in your strength and ability to change. Don't underestimate yourself; your willpower is stronger than you think.

You’re Not Broken. You’re Just Heading the Wrong Way.

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 10 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Labels that describe a mental state can freeze a temporary condition into identity and hide whether you’re moving toward recovery or decline.
  2. People move in spirals of effort and recovery, not straight lines, so incomplete recovery can leave you starting each cycle lower and slowly spiral downward without obvious collapse.
  3. The loss of play and fun is an early warning sign that pressure is narrowing your life; noticing small signals and asking which way you’re spiralling lets you change direction before things get worse.

What Happened Was...

SHERO • 766 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author got really sick with walking pneumonia.
  2. The change in climate in Arizona made the author realize something was wrong.
  3. The author is grateful for the support and patience of SHERO readers during recovery.

Is Dry January a Good Idea?

Are You Okay? • 1078 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Alcohol use can have negative effects on our bodies and minds, even if it seems pleasurable in the moment.
  2. The appropriate amount of alcohol to drink varies for each person, and self-awareness is crucial in evaluating alcohol consumption.
  3. Identifying and addressing the underlying reasons for drinking, such as uncomfortable emotions or bodily sensations, is important to develop healthier habits.

What I’m Working On

Deep Fix • 491 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author shares updates and opportunities with readers, inviting them to participate in new projects.
  2. The author is launching a podcast called 'Deep Fix' and creating an online course on overcoming modern addiction.
  3. The author mentions projects like 'Sons of Now,' 'Natura Care,' and offers direct coaching services.

Psychedelics as Catalysts for Recovery

Deep Fix • 471 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Psychedelics can be powerful tools for helping individuals facing addiction move towards recovery by promoting neural growth and restoring the gut-brain connection.
  2. Psychedelics should not be seen as shortcuts in recovery, but as catalysts that help individuals confront their darkness and engage in the healing process.
  3. By supporting the diversity of life within personal ecosystems, psychedelics can ignite 'second-stage recovery' and provide hope to those facing addiction.

How to Ditch Bad Habits for Good

Are You Okay? • 459 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Approximately 80 million Americans do not have a primary care doctor, leading many to seek health advice online.
  2. Modern medicine often prioritizes testing and medications over patient-centered care, contributing to the rise of the wellness industry.
  3. Michael Easter promotes choosing short-term discomfort for long-term benefits, aiming to inspire people to be '2 percenters' who make healthier choices.

New blog, new life

VS Blog • 419 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author took a break due to feeling inadequate after a past failure, but eventually found the courage to return online.
  2. Long COVID impacted the author's health, causing cognitive dysfunction, but they are now recovering with therapy and treatment.
  3. The author started teaching about Large Language Models and successfully turned it into a lucrative online educational business.

Burnout, Recovery, and Moving On

The Flawed Yogi Report • 99 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Trust your instincts and past decisions, they have made you wiser and guide you to make choices that work for you now.
  2. Listen to your body and consider letting go of things that cause resistance, as there is a reason behind that feeling.
  3. You may have more tools and support available than you realize, so be patient as allies and bridges will appear to assist you.

Q&A on alcohol use: binge drinking + marijuana use; supporting a sober spouse; Ozempic + alcohol cravings; & social anxiety + alcohol

Are You Okay? • 299 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Consider the impact of alcohol on your sleep, mood, physical health, and relationships to evaluate whether you may benefit from a break from drinking.
  2. Individuals may turn to substances like alcohol and marijuana due to anxiety and stress, but seeking help and being honest with oneself is key to addressing any substance use issues.
  3. Supporting a sober spouse involves open communication, understanding one's boundaries, and seeking help from resources like Al-Anon for loved ones of individuals in recovery.

Beautiful Disasters

Both Are True • 1509 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author explores their struggles with addiction and the search for meaning in life.
  2. The search for belief and longing for faith are central themes in the author's journey.
  3. The story reflects on past mistakes, growth, and finding a sense of meaning among chaos.

WHY DON’T SHE WRITE?

Fully Alive @Work • 275 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. The author is taking a break from writing on their Substack and suspending subscriptions indefinitely.
  2. The break is due to personal challenges such as a divorce, family issues, and a traumatic brain injury.
  3. Despite the hiatus, the author expresses gratitude for the support and hopes to return once they have clarity on their path forward.

The Ozempic Era

Absurdus • 275 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery
  1. Talk of the drug Ozempic can be triggering for those in recovery from eating disorders.
  2. Weight loss drugs like Ozempic may not address the deeper emotional issues behind disordered eating.
  3. Our society prioritizes thinness over overall health, forgetting about essential nutrients and the complexity of human needs.