Dave Marlon, Recovery Advocate & Best Selling Author

10/05/2026

https://davemarlon.substack.com/p/men-need-to-care-more-about-womens Too often, the average guy will say that we have already achieved equality between men and women. I don’t believe that is true. We’re not there. Legal equality and social progress matter enormously, but they do not erase the physical realities women still navigate or the behavior women routinely have to anticipate. Read my latest substack on this issue.

When I ran for office, my platform was fairly traditional: end homelessness in my ward, reduce government waste, and reduce the size and reach of government wherever possible.

09/26/2026

https://davemarlon.substack.com/p/human-up-podcast-the-power-of-one

In this episode of Human Up, I sat down with my friend Rabbi Levi Harlig for a conversation about spirituality, service, recovery, Judaism, and the extraordinary power of doing one good deed.

09/12/2026

https://davemarlon.substack.com/p/human-up-breaking-the-chains-of-addiction

On this episode of the Human Up Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr.

09/01/2026

https://www.8newsnow.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/938567857/saving-lily-earns-5-star-praise-as-a-powerful-new-look-at-addiction-recovery-and-americas-substance-use-crisis/

Saving Lily Cover Marlon and Kantor’s acclaimed book goes beyond memoir to examine the people, systems and policies shaping addiction in America. A beautifully written story of truth. As an addict of ten years even I’ve learned things about addiction from this book…10/10 great read.”— Amaz...

08/04/2026

Addiction isn't cured by suffering. Suffering is what addiction delivers. Recovery begins when pain finally outweighs denial, but lasting sobriety comes from treatment, accountability, community, purpose, and hard work. We shouldn't romanticize suffering; we should make recovery more accessible and stop enabling homelessness.

Spencer Pratt challenged Ben Affleck's claim that suffering cures addiction, inviting the actor to visit Skid Row and witness LA's drug crisis firsthand.

07/17/2026

Before commercial cannabis was legalized and aggressively marketed across much of the United States, policymakers were making decisions in the absence of long-term evidence about some of its most serious psychiatric risks.
Starzer, M. S. K., Nordentoft, M., & Hjorthøj, C. (2018). Rates and Predictors of Conversion to Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Following Substance-Induced Psychosis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(4), 343–350. https://lnkd.in/gQNnVsku
Key findings
This is one of the largest and most frequently cited studies examining the long-term outcomes of substance-induced psychosis.
Population: 6,788 individuals in Denmark diagnosed with substance-induced psychosis between 1994 and 2014.
Design: Nationwide longitudinal cohort study using Danish psychiatric and civil registration databases.
Outcome: Development of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder after an episode of substance-induced psychosis.
Main results
32.2% of all patients with substance-induced psychosis later developed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Cannabis-induced psychosis had the highest risk:
47.4% converted to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Approximately half of schizophrenia conversions occurred within about 3 years after the substance-induced psychosis.
Approximately half of bipolar disorder conversions occurred within about 4.4 years.
Younger age increased the risk of developing schizophrenia.
Self-harm following the psychotic episode significantly increased the risk of conversion to both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Clinical conclusion
The authors concluded that:
Substance-induced psychosis is not simply a transient intoxication event for many patients. It is a strong marker of future severe mental illness, and individuals require long-term psychiatric follow-up because a substantial proportion eventually develop schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

07/11/2026

For too long, American families have found themselves bidding against Wall Street and large investment firms for the chance to own a home.

Homeownership should be about helping working Americans build wealth—not helping distant investors build another portfolio.

I applaud Congress for taking meaningful steps to put American families first and to reduce the influence of large institutional investors in the single-family housing market. Every home purchased by a massive investment fund is one less opportunity for a young couple, a veteran, a teacher, a police officer, or a nurse to achieve the American Dream.

A home is more than an asset. It's where families are raised, neighborhoods are built, and communities become stronger.

The American Dream was never meant to be a commodity. It was meant to be an opportunity.

Let's continue moving toward a housing market where American workers have the first and best opportunity to own a home, build equity, and pass that wealth on to the next generation.

The 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to tackle housing affordability, officially became law early Saturday, despite a series of attempts by President Donald Trump to stall the legislation.

06/27/2026

As a counselor, much of my training has emphasized group identity, social systems, and collective responsibility. The intentions are often noble: compassion, inclusion, equity, concern for the vulnerable, and awareness of systemic barriers. I share many of those values. I believe we should care about our neighbors, help people who are suffering, and build strong communities. No civilized society should be indifferent to addiction, mental illness, homelessness, poverty, trauma, or incarceration. My concern is not compassion. My concern is the assumption that greater collectivism is always the answer. Read more in my latest Substack.

Following my recent reflections on women, patriarchy, and the danger of good causing overreach, I want to address another trend I have observed in counseling, higher education, recovery spaces, and many helping professions: the growing assumption that collectivism is morally superior to individualis...

06/11/2026

As this campaign comes to a close, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers who spent countless hours at polling locations, knocked doors, made calls, and helped share our message across Ward 6. Your dedication, energy, and belief in a better future made this journey possible.

Thank you to every resident who supported our campaign and shared the belief that Las Vegas can do better. We can be responsible with taxpayer dollars. We can address homelessness with real solutions. We can prioritize education, school safety, and protections for children near our schools. And we can make our city more affordable by reducing unnecessary fees, regulations, and red tape.

No matter the outcome, I am grateful for every conversation, every handshake, every sign placed, and every vote cast. Together, we elevated important issues and proved that residents are ready for a city government that is accountable, compassionate, efficient, and focused on results.

Thank you, Ward 6. Serving this community and earning your support has been an honor.

— David Marlon

06/09/2026

Today is ELECTION DAY Nevada! Go out to your polling location or drop off your mail in ballot and VOTE DAVE MARLON for City Council! It’s gonna be a close race and we cannot do it without you! If you voted for Dave today send us a picture of your I Voted sticker!!!!

Polls close today at 7:00pm. Make sure you’re in line before then!