Drew LaBoon serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Pathways Recovery Centers, where he combines leadership, operational excellence, and a passion for innovation to advance substance abuse treatment. In addition to his role at Pathways, Drew is the Co-Founder and President of the Board of Pathways to Innovation, a nonprofit organization focused on transforming the mental health and substance abuse treatment industry.

Drew is a retired Special Operator who served in multiple high-stress combat deployments. His military career instilled in him resilience, leadership, and a solutions-oriented mindset, all of which he applies to his work in healthcare. A passionate advocate for recovery, Drew draws from his own journey of overcoming substance abuse to inspire others. Through his work, Drew is driving meaningful change in the lives of those impacted by substance abuse, setting a new standard for care in the industry.

Show Notes

• Pathway Recovery Centers can be found here
• Pathways to Innovation can be found here
• You can connect to him on LinkedIn here
• We talked about veterans and the issues they have in addiction and behavioral health. The VA's Mental Health section has resources and support
• We talked about advocacy in the industry and parity law. A reminder that NBHAP has an Advocacy section of our website
• We talked about the issues surrounding marketing in the addiction treatment industry. A reminder that NBHAP has the Certified Admissions and Marketing Specialist (CAMS), a credential that teaches you best practices and practical tips from renowned legal and industry experts
• He brought up the ASAM Criteria, and the 4th edition is available for sale
• He recommended the book Muddy Boots Leadership: Real Life Stories and Personal Examples of Good, Bad, and Unexpected Results, by John Chapman. You can purchase it here
• He also recommended the book Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave and How to Keep Them Longer, by Cara Silletto with contributions from Leah Brown. You can purchase it here
• He also recommended the book Riding Shotgun: The Role of the COO, by Nathan Bennett & Stephen A. Miles. You can purchase it here