Respect every participant
No insults, ridicule, threats, harassment, discrimination, or attempts to shame someone into change.
Community guidelines
Speak your truth
without using it as a weapon.
These standards apply to meetings, chats, workshops, and other Brave Harbor community spaces.
Use I-statements
Speak from your own experience. Do not diagnose, label, or announce another person’s motives or “true nature.”
Language belongs to the individual
Participants may use recovery, addict, alcoholic, remission, healing, growth, or other language for themselves. Do not impose those terms on anyone else.
Ask before crosstalk
Before offering feedback, ask whether the person wants listening, questions, shared experience, or suggestions.
Protect confidentiality
Do not record, screenshot, publish, or repeat identifying details from meetings or community spaces.
Keep the space focused
Avoid political campaigning, religious pressure, commercial solicitation, graphic glorification of use, or unrelated conflict.
No rescuing or controlling
Support may include care, boundaries, and practical help; it does not authorize taking over someone else’s choices.
Safety changes the conversation
Threats, abuse, medical danger, overdose, severe withdrawal, suicidality, or psychosis require professional or emergency support.
Return with honesty
A setback does not remove someone’s dignity or belonging. It may require a new safety plan, boundaries, or a higher level of care.
Contemplative practice is voluntary
No one has to close their eyes, sit still, focus on breathing, or participate in meditation. Always offer open-eye, movement, sensory-orientation, or listening alternatives.
PAUSE
Before speaking or posting, ask:
Is it true to my experience? Is it necessary here? Is it respectful? Did the person ask for feedback? Does it support safety, dignity, or meaningful change?