This was not my first rodeo - but it was the first one that worked. I gained more in my first week at Avenues Recovery than I did in the entire 30 day stay at my previous rehab. What made Avenues different? Firstly, the staff CARED. They were not there for a paycheck; they were on a mission. My counselor was a veteran himself, 18 years sober! He understood exactly what I was going through. He was professional, knowledgeable, and held me accountable. I also learned so much from the other patients in my group. I was inspired by veterans and civilians alike and I maintain the relationships I created until today. But do you know what was most valuable? For the first time in my life, I felt I had been given the tools to STAY SOBER. I am fully confident that this was my last stint at rehab. I owe Avenues my life. 

As a Veteran walking clients through recovery, my military experience strongly shapes how I support and care for them. In the military, especially during basic training, preparation was everything. We trained long before the battle so that discipline, structure, and mental strength became second nature. I view recovery the same way. Recovery is preparation. My service also taught me the importance of teamwork and never leaving someone behind. In recovery, this means walking alongside clients, meeting them where they are, and reminding them that setbacks are part of the process, not a failure. I approach each client with respect, patience, and belief in their ability to grow. Recovery, like service, requires courage, commitment, and preparation, and my role is to help clients build the tools they need to succeed.

As a 23-year veteran of the United States Navy, I understand firsthand the demanding lifestyle, frequent, sometimes long deployments, intense experiences, and bonds that are and/or were formed during military service. I can relate to the challenges, anxieties, and post traumatic events that some military members faced during their service. This coupled with my knowledge of care within the Veterans Administration allows me to provide individualized care to Veterans who join the Avenues family.

As a veteran, I felt understood here, especially by staff who knew my background. What stood out most was when a Marine veteran on staff realized I was a vet and asked if I’d be willing to talk with another veteran who was struggling with addiction and PTSD after a combat injury. This program was completely different from other treatment centers I have been to. We were not treated like numbers. We were treated like people. There was a real sense of unity, almost an esprit de corps, that the staff, especially the BHTs, actively built. The alumni community is another major difference. Staying connected after treatment genuinely helps prevent relapse and keeps people accountable. When I struggled, staff did not brush it off. They leaned in. One conversation in particular kept me from leaving early and helped save my sobriety. I am still sober today because of that support. I would absolutely trust this place with someone I served with. Veterans are treated as individuals here, with dignity and respect.

As a veteran myself and director of nursing at Avenues, I’m intentional about connecting with clients who have served. I make a point to check in with Veterans to ensure their medical and support needs are fully addressed, especially when navigating the VA system, which can be complex. When a client is connected to the Fort Wayne VA, I work directly with them to secure their medications so there’s no interruption in care. I also focus on matching Veterans with providers who understand trauma-informed care and PTSD. Beyond clinical support, I’m mindful of environment, placing Veterans in quieter spaces when appropriate and helping connect them with local housing and Veteran-specific resources. My goal is for every Veteran to feel understood, supported, and prepared for life after treatment.

The military was instrumental in teaching me several core values which I have implemented in providing clinical services to our clients. The core values taught to me are teamwork, responsibility , and accountability. At Avenues, it is the effort of the team that drives clinical services. Bringing together professionals with different skills sets has proven effective in our service delivery. Each team member understands the importance of carrying out their individual responsibilities and know that they will be held accountable by the Team in this effort. The integration of these core values are key ingredients in assisting our client to gain acceptance of their substance use disorder and in developing sobriety based coping skills.

When I came to Avenues Prince Frederick, I knew I had to do something different. I’d been to several treatment centers back to back before Avenues and just couldn’t get it right. From the start, Avenues felt different. Having a counselor who was also a veteran made a huge impact- I felt seen, understood, and comfortable opening up. He really got my background and PTSD, and that made it easier for me to be honest. The entire facility supported me and helped give me the strength to be honest with myself. After Prince Frederick, I went to Avenues extended care program in Bucks, PA. I was hesitant at first, but it ended up being the best decision I could’ve made. They picked things up right away. It was life changing. Avenues played a critical role in my recovery, and I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without their support and understanding of my background.

As a veteran, I felt respected and supported throughout my time at Avenues. The staff was patient, accommodating, and always willing to give me the space I needed when things were difficult. They were especially helpful in coordinating appointments with the VA and making sure my needs were handled without added stress. What stood out most was the way the program pushed me to reconnect with the world instead of keeping everything contained. Unlike other programs I’ve been in, this approach helped me build real connections in AA and better prepare for life after treatment, which made a lasting difference for me. Through EMDR, one-on-one counseling, peer support, and process groups, I began to accept and enjoy sobriety in a way I didn’t expect. I also formed stronger, more meaningful connections than I had anticipated going in. I would absolutely trust Avenues with someone I served with. The staff truly care about the people here, and it shows in how they show up every day. This isn’t just a job to them—it’s something they believe in.

As a veteran, I felt understood by the Avenues staff. They genuinely tried to understand where I was mentally and took the time to ask for my perspective, which made a real difference in how supported I felt. My experience in treatment completely changed the way I think about my situation and my mindset. The staff did their best to understand how my mind works as a veteran and were especially good at recognizing when I was struggling. Instead of letting things escalate, they stepped in with tools that actually helped me work through it. I would absolutely encourage another veteran to seek treatment and would support them throughout their journey. I would also trust Avenues with fellow veterans I served with, knowing they would be given the tools and support needed to maintain sobriety.

As a veteran, I felt completely understood and respected here. What made the biggest difference was that staff truly got where I was coming from. There were multiple veterans on staff who I could speak with openly about PTSD and my addiction, and that level of understanding meant everything to me. The staff listened with undivided attention, thanked me for my service, and asked what I needed — including whether I wanted to speak with a fellow veteran. When I struggled, they didn’t rush me or dismiss how I felt; they sat with me and talked as long as it took until I felt okay again. This experience was very different from other programs I’ve been in. In the past, my service was never acknowledged or recognized. Here, it mattered. What surprised me most was realizing that addiction did not define my future. I left believing I still had a future and could achieve my dream of one day working in recovery. To any veteran unsure about getting help: we’ve already sacrificed so much. If war didn’t take us, addiction shouldn’t either. If we can train to fight an actual war, we can train to fight our own battle with addiction. I would 100% trust this place with someone I served with. Avenues gave me another chance at life, and I’d want my brothers and sisters in arms to be blessed with that same opportunity.”

As both a veteran and an Avenues alum, I bring my own experience into the way I work with clients every day. My time in the Air Force taught me the importance of structure, and I believe that foundation is essential to successful recovery. I make it a priority to help clients build that structure so they have something solid to stand on as they move forward. Veterans in treatment often need a few key things: structure, respect, and the opportunity to be of service. Those elements matter, and when they’re in place, real progress can happen. Because I have personal experience with PTSD, I’m able to recognize the signs when someone is struggling. There have been moments where I could step in early, pull a client aside, and use my own experience to help de-escalate a situation before it became overwhelming. I would trust this program with someone I served with without hesitation. I’ve lived through this program myself, and I’m deeply grateful for what Avenues has given me—both in my recovery and in my life today.