Building Recovery Where It’s Needed Most | Colin Harris (Longleaf Recovery & Wellness)

In this episode of the Finding New Waters Podcast, host B. Reeves is joined by New Waters Recovery CEO Justin McClendon and special guest Colin Harris, founder of Longleaf Recovery & Wellness, for a powerful conversation about recovery, purpose, and building ethical treatment in an underserved state.Colin shares his deeply personal recovery journey, including years of addiction, repeated treatment attempts, and the moment everything changed. He opens up about how lived experience shaped his vision for Longleaf and why Alabama’s lack of quality behavioral health services inspired him to build something different.The conversation dives into the realities of addiction in underserved communities, the importance of outpatient and primary mental health care, and why environment, compassion, and individualized treatment matter. Colin also discusses Longleaf’s rapid expansion across Alabama and an exciting new residential treatment campus currently in development.This episode is honest, hopeful, and grounded in real-world experience, offering insight for professionals, families, and anyone impacted by addiction or mental health challenges.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction01:30 Meeting Colin Harris and shared mission03:00 The need for recovery services in Alabama05:00 Colin’s personal recovery journey09:00 Addiction, treatment, and lived experience12:00 Why Alabama has been underserved15:00 Building Birmingham Recovery Center18:00 Outpatient care and primary mental health22:00 Environment and culture in treatment26:00 Motivation, purpose, and long-term recovery30:00 The Longleaf name and its meaning34:00 Trauma, addiction, and transformation38:00 Meeting people where they are42:00 Residential treatment plans in Alabama47:00 Vision for the future of Longleaf50:00 How to find Longleaf Recovery & Wellness🔑 Key Topics Covered• Recovery in underserved communities• Building ethical treatment programs• Outpatient and primary mental health care• Lived experience in leadership• Trauma and long-term recovery• Family involvement in treatment• Expanding access to care in Alabama🎧 Listen, Share, and SubscribeFollow Finding New WatersInstagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecoveryFacebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecoveryLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recoveryTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc⸻🎙️ Watch & ListenWebsite: www.findingnewwaters.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5GjwApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXwYouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn