Nickolaus Hayes is an experienced health care professional researching and writing about substance use disorders for the past 15 years. He is dedicated to publishing up-to-date information about drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse. Nickolaus’s passion for the field of addiction stems from his decade-long battle with addiction. Once sober, he made it his life’s mission to help others struggling with drug and alcohol use.
Nickolaus has graduated from St. Clair College in 2003 after a three-year degree program in Law and Security. He also graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in 2019 after completing a Journeyman Red Seal Carpentry certificate.
Nickolaus spent the beginning of his career working at the drug rehab center he attended. He excelled at working with families to get their loved ones into treatment. As one of the head intake counselors at his center, Nickolaus realized how common it was for families to be uneducated about the treatment process and how to help their loved ones. This stuck with him and motivated him to write informative content, so families have a better idea of what to do.
Nick left the treatment center he worked for to become one of the original members of the DRS editorial team in 2006. He has been writing about substance use and addiction recovery for over 15 years.
What’s Next?
Nickolaus is in the process of becoming a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist. He recently received a certificate from the University of Adelaide for completing Managing Addiction: A Framework for Successful Treatment.
Why Substance Use and Addiction Recovery?
We asked Nickolaus several questions about his motivations for dedicating much of his time to helping individuals and their families with substance use issues.
What motivates you to help people with drugs and alcohol?
It really has to do with having been there, struggling myself, and not seeing any way out of the mess until it happened. It solidified to me that life-long sobriety is achievable and overcoming addiction is possible.
Why should people trust you when it comes to the topic of drug rehabilitation?
Besides my past experiences with everything horrible that substance use had to offer, I am a seeker of knowledge. I spend a significant amount of time studying addiction in all its forms. Whether it is the opioid crisis, treatment methods, statistics, research, courses, and training, if it has to do with substance use and addiction, I am interested.
What is the most defining personal experience you have solidified your purpose?
It was during the early stages of recovery and working at the drug rehab center I attended. Within one month, two people I knew struggling with chronic relapse and their sobriety committed suicide. This solidified my purpose to keep helping those in need. Sometimes all it takes is a glimmer of hope to get out of a dark place, and I do my best to provide that hope in my writing.
Publications by Nickolaus Hayes
