Vets Recover: An Inside Look to their Mission

A rendering of Vets Recover’s new facility located on Sprighill Avenue in Mobile, AL.

Vets Recover, a non-profit organization dedicated to addiction recovery for veterans and their families, is close to opening a new inpatient facility and Detox Center in Mobile, Alabama, after years of construction. This center will provide crucial support and rehabilitation services to veterans struggling with substance use disorders.

Last week, at an event held by the Military Officers Association of Alabama (MOAA) and Coastal 150, community leaders, legislators, and advocates from across the state had the opportunity to tour the facility, gain insights into the services offered, and most importantly, extend their support to the veterans in need.

During that meeting, attendees heard from Col. John Kilpatrick, the founder and CEO of Vets Recover, as well as Dr. Michael Railey, who has recently been appointed its Chief Medical Officer. Service Members, Veterans, and their families make up nearly a quarter of Alabama’s population, and they are uniquely – and tremendously impacted – by the opioid crisis.

Dr. Stephen Loyd, who is widely regarded as the leading expert on how best to abate the crisis, also offered remarks.  Dr. Loyd praised the work being done by Vets Recover and observed the approach should be adopted across the nation.    

Vets Recover has been recognized for its commitment to aiding veterans in their journey towards recovery by providing peer-support services, outpatient counseling, and other necessary behavioral and physical care services. The new facility in Mobile represents a significant expansion of their efforts, bringing essential resources closer to those in need in the Alabama community. Currently, there is no such facility for Veterans in the State, and the new inpatient center will be the only one south of Birmingham – a 250-mile journey – to provide these services.

The need for such services has only grown more urgent in recent years, with many veterans facing challenges in reintegrating into civilian life and coping with the traumas they experienced during their service. Vets Recover aims to address these challenges head-on, providing not only rehabilitation programs but also a supportive community for veterans to lean on during their recovery journey.

Vets Recover is one of the partners in The Helios Alliance, and we are inspired by the great work they are doing for this essential population in our State. We look forward to future collaborations, working towards our shared goal of ending the opioid epidemic.

The new facility on Springhill Avenue is slated to hold its grand opening in April 2024.