Ethically conflicted and emotionally sincere, I’ve been wrestling with the idea of paid subscriptions for some time now. Very off-brand for the internet, I know, right?
The discomfort isn’t centred around the question of whether it’s ethical to paywall information relating to harm reduction. That’s a no-brainer.
The real struggle is integrity versus survival, and the fact that we’ve been forced to live in systems that punish both.
When I was a kid, my mom used to say, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” I think we can all agree that this advice is misguided and may be a significant factor contributing to the current state of the world.
Another cliché: “Charity starts at home.” And that’s okay; since I’m not a NPO or NGO, we’re good there.
Jokes aside: I’m not charging for naloxone. I’m not shoving basic survival tips behind a paywall.
I'm making lived experience visible. I'm documenting an experimental recovery protocol. I’m putting my nervous system on the line, and, I’m translating hard-earned peer knowledge into readable, human content that bridges a gap textbooks don’t cover.
This is valuable labour, and it’s worth investing in.
That said, you are my community, especially those of you who comment, share, cry in the replies, or show up in my inbox and DMs. I consider you witnesses, co-archivists, and quite frankly, you’re the reason I’m still writing.
So here’s what I’ve decided:
I’m not implementing any paywalls. Instead, I created this page and a wishlist as options to support me. A monthly subscription is $5. An annual subscription is $50. The DOPE Vanguard is a once-off $300 that covers the cost for others. (And yes, you get to ride shotgun with aux cable control. Obviously.)
What do you get? Nothing. No exclusive content or fancy perks. What do you give? The freedom for others to read without cost or shame, and sustainability for me. (I’m terrible at sales. Clearly. But look! Here's the link to my substack!)
https://dopedoula.substack.com/
If you can’t afford to pay, please don’t. I want you here. You matter, with or without money.If you can contribute, thank you. You’re preventing me from selling out.
And if you’re somewhere in the middle, unsure whether it’s “worth” $5 a month, ask:
Has anything here ever helped you feel understood? Less alone? More curious? Slightly more capable of surviving another day? A little bit smarter?
If you answered yes, subscribe, or share, or just keep reading.
I’m glad you’re here.
❤︎☙⚸☙⛧
PS: DOPE Support also remains free ☮
Dope Support is a biweekly online gathering for people navigating substance use, recovery, harm reduction, or just the surreal process of staying alive.
Our core values are empathy, autonomy, and mutual respect. We don’t enforce abstinence, push advice, or judge worth. We don’t fix or diagnose. We offer space for honesty, for silence, for grief, for resilience.
If you'd like to join our little shindig on Jitsi, join my Substack Subscriber Chat
