Editorial Policy

Addiction Valley publishes plain-language information about addiction, substances, treatment and recovery. This policy explains how we decide what to write, how we research and source our articles, and how we keep them accurate, independent and current. It exists so you can trust what you read here.

What we cover and why

We write about addiction, substances, behavioral addictions, mental health, treatment, recovery, and the practical realities of living with addiction or supporting someone through it. Our topics are chosen based on what people in the United States are searching for, what published research and clinical guidance say about those topics, and where existing information is unclear, scary, or hard to act on. We prioritise questions that matter to people making real decisions about their own care or the care of someone they love.

How we research and source our content

• Authoritative sources. We reference peer-reviewed research, clinical guidelines, and official guidance from recognised bodies such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Psychiatric Association, and equivalent professional and government organisations.
• Primary over secondary. Where possible we cite the original study, guideline, or statistic rather than a news summary of it. When a secondary source is used, we name it clearly so you can see where the information came from.
• Up-to-date evidence. We prefer recent research and current guidelines. When newer evidence changes what is known about a treatment, risk, or outcome, we update the affected page rather than leaving older claims standing.
• Plain language. We translate clinical and scientific terms into everyday language without oversimplifying the evidence. Where a term matters, we define it.
• Visible citations. Each article lists its sources so you can check our work and read further. We link to the original material where it is freely available.

How we write

Every article is written by the Addiction Valley team. Our writers follow the same structure across the site so you always know what to expect: a clear summary, key facts, quick answers to common questions, a detailed explanation broken into sections, frequently asked questions, and a list of sources. We write for people who may be stressed, frightened, or in a hurry, so we lead with the information that helps most and keep clinical jargon to a minimum.

We do not publish sponsored content, advertorials, or paid reviews. We do not accept payment to mention, rank, or recommend any facility, medication, therapist, or programme. Mentioning a treatment, therapy, service, or organisation in an article does not mean we recommend it for you.

Accuracy and review

• Research first. Before an article is written, we gather the relevant evidence and guidance so the page reflects what is currently known.
• Internal fact-checking. Claims are checked against the cited sources before publication. Statistics, dosages, withdrawal timelines, and emergency guidance are verified against the original source.
• Clear dates. Each page shows when it was last reviewed. Dates indicate a review checkpoint, not a guarantee that nothing has changed since.
• Corrections. When we find an error, or when a reader points one out, we fix it promptly and note what changed. If you spot something, please tell us.

Independence and conflicts of interest

Addiction Valley is independent. We do not own, operate, or receive payment from any treatment facility, programme, or product. We do not earn commissions from referrals. Our revenue, where any exists, comes from the site itself and does not influence what we write or which treatments we describe. If a future relationship could create a conflict of interest, we will disclose it on the affected page.

Safety and sensitivity

Addiction affects real people in real danger. We write with that in mind. Pages that describe withdrawal, overdose, or high-risk behaviours include clear safety warnings and direct readers to qualified help. We do not publish instructions that could enable harm, and we avoid sensational or stigmatising language. People are not their addictions, and our writing reflects that.

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. For free, confidential support in the United States, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time, day or night. The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 offers free, 24/7 treatment-referral information.

Accessibility and inclusivity

We want this site to be useful to everyone who needs it. We write in plain English, structure pages for screen readers and keyboard navigation, provide alt text for every image, and avoid language that assumes a particular background, identity, or family situation. We continually look for ways to make the content clearer and more welcoming.

Updates and version history

Addiction and recovery research moves quickly. We review pages regularly and update them when guidance changes, when new evidence becomes available, or when readers help us spot something we can improve. The date shown on each page reflects its most recent review. We may also rewrite or replace older pages to keep them accurate and useful.

Use of AI tools

We may use research and writing assistance tools to help gather sources, draft sections, or check readability. Every page is reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by the Addiction Valley team before it is published, and we take responsibility for what appears on this site. No page is published without human oversight.

Links to external resources

We link to government, university, and health-organisation resources so you can verify our sources and find help. Those links are for your convenience. We do not control those sites, we do not endorse everything they publish, and we are not responsible for their content or privacy practices.

Changes to this policy

We may update this editorial policy as our practices evolve. The date at the top of this page shows when it last changed. We encourage you to revisit it from time to time.

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. For free, confidential support in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time of day.