Destination Change: Episode 37 — Designing SUD Programs and Working with the Community with Justin Phillips

Justin Phillips (he/him) has been serving in the addiction and mental health treatment fields for over 20 years. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Options Recovery Services, a multi-service addiction treatment agency spanning California. He has served in several leadership roles across systems, including designing and developing large SUD treatment agencies and programs, detoxification programs, and integrated co-occurring programs.

In addition, Justin serves voluntarily as NAADAC’s Southwest Regional Vice President, a national executive role influencing national addiction treatment policy. Justin also works as a consultant to small addiction treatment centers in need of support and plays a critical role with CAADPE, as the operator (Options) for the well-known Occupational Mentor Certification Program, which trains incarcerated inmates throughout California prisons to become certified SUD counselors in California.

After being honorably discharged from the military at age 22, Justin struggled with addiction and mental health issues as a combat veteran reentering civilian life. Eventually persuaded into treatment, he embraced recovery. The treatment he received inspired him to shift career paths and begin working on SUD Certification, originally certified through CAADAC in 2009. He has dedicated his life and career to helping society’s most vulnerable at both the executive and direct service levels.

Show Notes

• More information about Justin, including how to get a hold of him, can be found on the Options Recovery Services website
• He mentioned Options Occupational Mentor Certification Program
• We discussed NAADAC as a resource
• He recommended looking into the information for your state and county as well as to join associations for networking and training
• Finally, he recommended the film The 50, a documentary about the journey of 50 incarcerated men as they become counselors. You can stream it on Amazon Prime website