Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Bradshaw.
Hi Richard, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was born and raised in Waco, Texas, and lived a somewhat normal life until I got involved with prescription opiates and alcohol at age 15. This led me down a path that consisted of 22 arrests and multiple hospitalizations. Ultimately coming to terms with my addiction at age 25 while incarcerated in Dallas, Texas at Hutchins State Jail, a group of men involved with a 12-step fellowship in the Dallas area approached me and offered a solution that made sense. The action they advised me to take in an effort regain stability in my life was spiritual in nature and I was significantly changed by my interactions with them before I was released in March of 2019.
At that time, I relocated to Kerrville, Texas and my involvement in the recovery community led me to an opportunity at Brazos Recovery and I’ve been here ever since. Being able to present men with an opportunity to recover from alcoholism and addiction has become the highlight of my life. Witnessing the change take place in the men at our facility and the changes these men create in their communities when they leave are the two things that have made my 3 years out here the most rewarding chapter of my life.
I’ve had the blessing of being able to work in many different positions at Brazos Recovery, including Recovery Advocate, Lead Recovery Advocate, Operations Manager, and currently Business Development Specialist. In my current position, I strive to build systems that increase access to recovery services in the same communities that I grew up in. My hope is that by developing these systems, people with a substance use disorder will have the opportunity to be treated in a clinical setting before being involved in the criminal justice system.
As a result of the loss of several childhood friends and colleagues, I’ve also developed a passion for harm reduction. This has led to me to found a grassroots organization that provides people who use drugs, their families, law enforcement, and addiction professionals with access to naloxone and training on how to administer it. Naloxone is the medication that reverses opioid overdoses. As our drug supply becomes more and more contaminated with fentanyl, this medication and training becomes proportionately import as well. With fentanyl poisoning being the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, my hope is that Kloxxado™, NARCAN®, and other naloxone formulations become more accessible to people that are at-risk.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, I have relied on God, 12-Step fellowship, and clinical support over the last four years of being in recovery. At around 2 and a half years sober, I hit a rough spot and needed more support than a 12-step fellowship could provide. During that time, I started seeing a therapist which was a huge step for me. The clarity that I have gained and my intrinsic abilities that I have been made aware of throughout the entire process of recovery have solidified my sobriety. Also, working at a facility that provides this same care to its clients has made it a lot smoother for me. I’m always surrounded by love, gratitude, and positivity with the amazing team that I am part of at Brazos Recovery.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Brazos Recovery provides a full continuum of care at our male-only drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We offer supervised medical detoxes, long-term residential care, an intensive outpatient program, and sober living options for graduates of our treatment program. Our facility is licensed by the State Of Texas and CARF accredited.
Our approach to recovery is a combination of evidence-based treatment modalities utilizing 12 Step Facilitation, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The combination of these treatment modalities is proven to effect real time and long term change leading to sustained recovery.
The effectiveness of our treatment program is proven by our clinical outcomes. Beginning when a client enters treatment, we monitor their progress with Trac9© Informatics. This tool gives our clinical team insight into our clients’ wellness and allows them to make real-time modifications to their treatment. It also monitors post-treatment outcomes and ours are currently well above the national average.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Our facility is in-network with most major health plans. An admissions coordinator can answer any additional questions!
Contact Info:
- Email: richard@brazosrecovery.com
- Phone: (254) 232-1550
- Website: https://brazosrecovery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brazos.recovery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrazosRecoveryLLC
- Other: https://linktr.ee/brazosrecovery
Image Credits
Dylan Hollingsworth
Dakota Closson
Subscriber Shoutout: Sara Drehobl | Your Unicorn of Real Estate
“I am a local Realtor in the Greater DFW area! I spend my days playing matchmaker, therapist and dream maker to my Clients all around the metroplex!” – Sara Drehobl
https://leaguere.com/team/sara-drehobl/ | @sarasellsdfw | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdrehobl/
