LifeLines readers may find certain products and services to be powerful, positive influences in gaining and maintaining sobriety. We believe that members sharing information about products and services that have been useful in their sobriety is a worthy goal that is compatible with our "by the members, for the members" mission.

Therefore, in lieu of traditional advertising, LifeLines' Editorial Board will actively consider articles that independently review, comment on, mention, or describe the use of specific sobriety-related products or services, so long as the articles contextualize the product or service within a larger personal story, and meet our other Publication Guidelines.

Two of LifeLines' Submission Categories--Tool Chest and Sober Resources--specifically encourage submissions focused on products and services. Articles in these categories will be distinguished from "advertisements" to the extent that they express independent opinions, include positives as well as negatives, describe member usage or experience, and/or are not deemed to be solely for the purpose of generating sales from LifeLines' readership.

For example, an article submitted by a member about his or her early recovery which includes an account of how he or she used a book to build motivation would be a strong contender for publication within the provisions of this policy. Likewise, an independent review of the same book, written by a member who has recently read the book and includes what he or she likes and doesn't like about it would be considered for publication.

A simple testimonial that focused exclusively on features, benefits, pricing, and ordering information for the same book, however, without a larger context or member focus, would be unlikely to meet our publication criteria.