Herren Wellness

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 as a national public health initiative observed every April to reduce stigma, raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol misuse, and provide education on alcohol use disorder (AUD). Through prevention and education efforts we have seen alcohol use continue to decline over the past few years. The reason?

For former NBA point guard Chris Herren, putting on a Boston Celtics jersey should have been the highlight of his career. Instead, he remembers it as one of the most painful moments of his life. “I had never felt so much shame in my life getting that jersey,” Herren said. “Everyone in the room is smiling, and I’m up there holding that jersey saying like, ‘This is going to end quickly.’” The Fall River native was once one of Massachusetts’ most celebrated basketball prospects.

Recovery is, at its core, an act of profound self-love. Every day you choose sobriety, you’re choosing yourself. You’re saying, “I deserve better, I am worthy of care, and I am enough.” You have already conquered something many young people have not: you’ve chosen to live life without numbing difficult emotions and life’s challenges through substances. Replacing old habits with new positive ones. This is not simply courageous; it’s the ultimate expression of self-respect and self-love.

Substance use disorder is a complex and devastating disease that affects not just the individual struggling with substance use, but their entire family and social circle. When a loved one struggles with substance use disorder, it can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. While it’s natural to want to wait until things get really bad before acting, early intervention can save lives and preserve relationships.

In September of 2025, Herren Wellness welcomed a new member to the team, Tedessa Doff, who will serve as Director of Holistic Services and a Life Coach bringing deep experience and heartfelt passion to our community. A holistic life coach with certifications in trauma, yoga, and meditation, Tedessa joins Herren Wellness with 23 years of sobriety and 20+ years of experience in supporting others on their healing path to recovery.

To kick off December, Herren Wellness welcomed a new member to the team, Judy Holden, as Outreach & Community Engagement Director. A healthcare sales and marketing professional for over 30 years, Judy holds degrees in both Nursing and Business Administration with a focus on marketing. Throughout her career she has developed creative outreach strategies with the goal of building long term relationships and collaborative partnerships.

Herren Wellness was recently featured as part of  the WCVB 5 Investigative Series on the impact legalizing cannabis has had in Massachusetts from public health concerns to addiction and psychosis. The basement classroom in Hingham High was stuffy and lunch was next, but the sophomores in health teacher Karen Beatty’s class were all ears.

Navigating the teenage years can be challenging for both parents and adolescents. Among the many concerns parents face, substance use often tops the list. With changing laws, new products like vapes, and evolving social norms, staying informed about teenage substance use is more important than ever. This post explores what parents, educators, and teens themselves should know about alcohol, vaping, and other substances that teenagers may encounter.

The holidays often bring joy, celebration, and cherished traditions, but for people in recovery the holiday season can also present some challenges making Christmas, Hannukah, and New Years feel a bit like walking through a minefield. The good news? You don’t have to walk alone, and with thoughtful preparation and meaningful connections, the season can become a time of genuine celebration rather than white-knuckled survival.

With changing legislation and increasing social acceptance, marijuana use has become more widespread across the United States. While some users can consume cannabis without significant negative consequences, others develop problematic patterns of use that can lead to addiction and other serious health concerns, including psychosis.