14 Oranges has been the web development company of choice for Writers in Treatment since 2013. More recently, we’ve worked with them to expand the audience of their recovery-focused newsletter.

Who are Writers in Treatment?

Founded by Leonard Lee Buschel 13 years ago, Writers in Treatment began as a non-profit organization to help finance recovery treatment for people in the screen media industry. Alcohol and drug addiction has a long and turbulent history in entertainment, and as a recovering addict himself, Leonard recognized that while services like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have their place, there wasn’t an organization that raised funding for those struggling with addiction to actually get into treatment centers. These costs could add up from outpatient services being $1000-$1500 up to $60,000 for a 60-90 day in-patient rehab treatment. Leonard saw the need to support the writers (screen media industry in general) to find ways to get the financial help they needed.

Writers in Treatment began with a film festival, expanded to a gala that honors stories of recovery from addiction, and they now have a 25,000-strong following for their Addiction Recovery eBulletin newsletter.

The Reel Recovery Film Festival & Symposium, at 7 days, is the longest recovery event in the USA. It is dedicated to showing recent films that highlight issues of alcoholism, drug addiction, and process addictions, like screen addiction and mental illness. The festival has grown to be the premier outlet of addiction and recovery films from around the world and has an extensive library of over 400 films.

The Experience, Strength and Hope Awards® honors a sober celebrity who has written a memoir that documents their journey from addiction to sobriety. Past honorees and presenters have included Buzz Aldrin, Oscar-winner Lou Gossett Jr., Jodie Sweetin, John Stamos, Pat O’Brien, Joey Pantoliano, Robert Downey Jr., Danny Trejo, Mackenzie Phillips, Bobcat Goldthwait, Alonzo Bodden, Bob Forrest, and Tony Denison to name a few.

What is the Addiction Recovery eBulletin?

Growing up in Philadelphia, Leonard calls himself a life-long news junkie—he would get the morning paper, one delivered at noon, and four more later in the day. Leonard’s thirst for information, combined with his own recovery journey, led him to an epiphany: How can Writers in Treatment gather all the relevant stories of the day around drug addiction and recovery in one place? From that, the Addiction Recovery eBulletin was born.

Each newsletter is packed with a dozen or more stories relevant to its audience. In just one recent newsletter, topics ranged from Demi Lovato’s successful completion of rehab, a look at the current psychedelic therapy renaissance, social media sobriety, a feature from the UK on caffeine addiction, and an audio interview exploring the staffing issues currently plaguing recovery centers in the US. 

Today, the Addiction Recovery eBulletin has over 25,000 subscribers and is delivered to inboxes every Tuesday and Friday. You can sign up for the mailing list here.

Learn more about Writers in Treatment

Are you interested in learning more about Writers in Treatment? Visit their website and be sure to sign up for their weekly Addiction Recovery eBulletin. If you would like to explore how 14 Oranges could elevate your newsletter and expand your audience, get in touch and let’s discuss your needs.

Sylvain Marcotte is CEO and President of 14 Oranges.