I took my addicted self from private health insurance to MediCal—it wasn't that bad, until I visited the psychiatrist.

Can you ever get better when your career is based on being ill? Fix columnist Amy Dresner on being bipolar, an addict and a comedian.

An exclusive interview with a Kardashian—but this one's been handling interventions before Kim, Khloe and Kourtney were anywhere near the spotlight.

Let me be clear that I have chosen to give this guy this power and authority and I can withdraw it or break the rules at any time.

Pills seemed just to replace my addictions and made my bipolar disorder worse. Being introduced to transcendental meditation was the best thing that happened to me.

Don't medicate, transcend.

I'm still standing, but damn the ground is shaky —Bring on 2015!

Cholo-goth duo Prayers' songs are about the harsh realities of gang life set over a catchy 80s-type sound of synthesizers and electronic beats.

Last year, I was drinking diet Mountain Dew and chain-smoking Marlboro Reds like some Appalachian tweaker on my way to the 5th Annual Experience, Strength and Hope Awards at the Skirball Center. But this time, I was only vaping and drinking yerba mate so I was pretty chuffed with my progress.

I sat down, arms crossed, ready to be blasted with what’s known to nonbelievers as “diet Scientology.” It wasn't quite what I expected.

Nobody wants to attend your pity party but everybody will witness a good car wreck.

“We’re in competition with no one,” he says. He is known as people’s “last resort.”

Amy Dresner reviews Monica Richardson's documentary about predators in AA—The 13th Step.

The Fix talks to Greg Horvath about his unflinching examination of the rehab industry and its reliance on 12-step facilitation.

Kober might look familiar if you’ve ever watched Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, NCIS, Bad Blood, Law and Order or really any television in the last 30 years. We sat down with him to pick his brain on meditation, alcoholism, feelings and ego.

Not so much deep psychological issues as much as being a toddler having a fit.

Any kind of change is challenging for me. Now I’m finally moving out of sober living.

I went to see my Russian Medi-Cal disability psychiatrist and learned the stigma against alcoholism was still alive and well.

“You’re living in Inglewood?!” a sober friend asked me. “Isn’t that a little close to the rock?”

I know novocaine isn't cocaine. So why did I freak out and start crying when my dentist shot me up with it during a tooth extraction?