Making Headlines Locally and Nationally
RCA in the News
At RCA, we are setting a new standard for addiction treatment with our clinically-proven programs delivered with compassionate and personalized care. From press releases on our industry-leading outcomes to recent accolades for RCA and articles written by the addiction treatment experts on our team. Below you’ll find news items that reflect our continuous efforts and unwavering dedication to lead the path in addiction recovery. Stay informed with the most up-to-date developments and stories that highlight how we are making a difference in communities across the nation.
Recovery Centers of America is proud to celebrate RCA at Capital Region CEO, Lamar Frizzell, who has been named Alumnus of the Year by Bryan College.
From his early days of faith and perseverance to his decades of leadership in ministry, counseling, and health care, Lamar’s journey reflects the values of servant leadership that guide his work today.
Congratulations, Lamar!
Learn more by visiting:
Award celebrates Monroeville’s leadership in regulatory compliance, fiscal management, team culture, and top-tier patient outcomes
Monroeville, Pa. – Recovery Centers of America (RCA) at Monroeville has been named National Account of the Year by CCL Hospitality Group, a recognition celebrating top-performing facilities across the country. Out of more than 240 facilities in the National Accounts region and more than 850 facilities overall, RCA at Monroeville stood out as one of just five recipients of this year’s distinction. It also marks the first time an RCA facility has received this honor.
The recognition is based on several key performance areas, including:
- Regulatory and contractual compliance
- Audit and fiscal management
- Culinary excellence
- Team building
- Patient satisfaction
RCA at Monroeville has excelled across all of these dimensions while under the leadership of Phil McMaster, Director of Dining Services.
“This marks a historic achievement for RCA,” said McMaster. “I’m honored to have our efforts for setting a new standard of excellence be recognized by CCL Hospitality Group. This award reflects our dedication to providing compassionate care and exceptional services that support our mission of saving lives.”
The award was formally presented by Patrick Plumadore of CCL, who recognized McMaster’s leadership and the Monroeville team’s impact on both patients and staff.
“Phil’s leadership has not only elevated the culinary program but also built a culture of unity, operational readiness, and client trust,” said Plumadore. “The team’s outstanding performance has earned top-tier satisfaction scores and audit results, underscoring their commitment to excellence.”
RCA at Monroeville will celebrate this recognition with an event on October 8, 2025, honoring the entire building team for their contributions to dining services, operational excellence, and patient experience.
To learn more about RCA, visit www.recoverycentersofamerica.com.
About Recovery Centers of America
Recovery Centers of America (RCA) is on a mission to save one million lives impacted by addiction and mental health disorders, one person at a time. RCA’s evidence-based care approach features a full continuum of consistent, personalized, inpatient and outpatient services at world-class facilities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southeast regions. These programs are designed to support lasting recovery and lifelong healing. RCA admits patients 24/7, accepts most major insurances, and provides transportation, intervention and family support services. RCA is proud to have many of its facilities recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Best Addiction Centers rankings for excellence. For inquiries or admissions, call (412) 516-9456or visit www.recoverycentersofamerica.com.
Recently, the travel industry has seen a powerful shift as travel rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, yet data shows more Americans are now opting for alcohol-free vacations. Also known as “sober travel” or “dry tripping”, several sources suggest today’s travelers are increasingly interested in vacationing without taking a single sip of booze. According to Katie Couric Media, searches for “sober travel”, “dry tripping,” and “alcohol-free vacations” have jumped 205% in early 2025 compared to the first half of 2024, and engagement on these topics has surged over 2,500%.
In addition, data by Expedia indicates 40%+ of travelers in 2023-24 were likely to book a detox or alcohol-free trip in the following year. Per the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness tourism industry, often synonymous with sober travel, is expected to reach $1.3 trillion by next year. To learn more about the “dry tripping” and sober travel trends, I chatted with Rachel Holliday, Recovery Support Specialist Supervisor at Recovery Centers of America at Monroeville. Here’s what she shared about the rising interest in vacationing without alcohol and her best tips for planning sober travel in a so-called “boozy world.”
Read the full article here.
Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s personal, lifelong, and filled with both challenges and hope. Dr. Pete Vernig, Vice President of Mental Health Services, and Dr. Carolyn Thangawng, Regional Medical Director, from Recovery Centers of America, sat down with Ti King on Longterm: A Podcast in Recovery to share what they’re seeing every day in the recovery space. From how the brain can heal from addiction to the barriers formed with the stigma around mental health and addiction, their insights provide the reminder that recovery is about compassion, connection, and continuous care.
New in-network agreements now cover up to 90% of commercially insured lives in Indiana, New Jersey, and South Carolina
Recovery Centers of America (RCA), a nationally recognized leader in evidence-based addiction treatment, announced today that three of its locations are now in-network with Optum, one of the nation’s largest health insurers. With this
partnership, RCA at Indianapolis, RCA at Greenville, and RCA at Lighthouse now offer patient access to affordable, high-quality substance abuse disorder (SUD) care by ensuring coverage across the full continuum of services.
RCA at Indianapolis became in-network with Optum for all levels of SUD care – Detox, Residential, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). RCA is actively working with Optum and anticipates future approval of mental health services,
pending one year of outcomes data.
RCA at Greenville is now-in-network with Optum for all outpatient services, including PHP and IOP, building on detox and residential coverage. Greenville is one of the few providers in the region to offer full-spectrum, in-network care from detox through outpatient treatment.
RCA at Lighthouse also joins Optum’s in-network provider network, further strengthening RCA’s ability to serve patients across New Jersey.
By securing in-network agreements with Optum, Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna, RCA locations in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Indiana now cover an estimated 85-90% of all commercially insured lives in those states.
“Patients and families shouldn’t have to navigate a maze of insurance coverage when seeking life-saving care,” said Mark Faselle, VP of Payor Relations. “With Optum now in-network, we can provide peace of mind to patients and referral sources alike, knowing that in most cases,
treatment will be covered.”
RCA remains committed to its mission of saving lives from the disease of addiction by delivering comprehensive, evidence-based care close to home.
To learn more about RCA, visit www.recoverycentersofamerica.com.
About Recovery Centers of America
Recovery Centers of America (RCA) is on a mission to save one million lives impacted by addiction and mental health disorders, one person at a time. RCA’s evidence-based care approach features a full continuum of consistent, personalized, inpatient and outpatient services at world-class facilities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southeast regions. These programs are designed to support lasting recovery and lifelong healing. RCA admits patients 24/7, accepts most major insurances, and provides transportation, intervention and family support services. RCA is proud to have many of its facilities recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Best Addiction Centers rankings for excellence. For inquiries or admissions, call 1-800-RECOVERY or visit www.recoverycentersofamerica.com.
Dr. Jeffrey Harris appointed to lead clinical operations and advance recovery efforts in the Upstate.
Recovery Centers of America (RCA) at Greenville announced today the addition of Dr. Jeffrey Harris as the new Medical Director, bringing more than two decades of clinical leadership and addiction medicine expertise to the role.
Dr. Harris is a seasoned physician with a Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) and a South Carolina medical license who spent the last 13 years operating and scaling outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) practices and urgent care centers across multiple states. He most recently served as Chief Medical Officer for a national healthcare technology company, where he focused on driving quality patient outcomes and team-based care delivery.
“I was drawn to RCA’s mission-driven, compassionate commitment to care, evidence-based approach, and the opportunity to lead meaningful change in addiction treatment,” said Dr. Harris. “I’m looking forward to mentoring providers, supporting team development, and helping implement clinical workflows that ensure consistent, patient-centered care.”
Read the full article here.
Recovery Centers of America (RCA), a nationally recognized leader in evidence-based addiction treatment, is proud to announce that it has been awarded on Newsweek’s 2025 list of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers. The prestigious annual ranking, developed in partnership with Statista Inc., a world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, highlights the top inpatient and residential addiction treatment centers nationwide based on quality of care, professional reputation, and patient experience.
“At Recovery Centers of America, we are driven by a singular mission: to save one million lives impacted by substance use and mental health disorders, one person at a time,” said Brett Cohen, chief executive officer of Recovery Centers of America. “To see RCA recognized by Newsweek affirms the dedication of our clinical teams, the strength of our treatment model, and our deep commitment to patients and families across the country. We’re honored to be a trusted resource to those in their recovery journey.”
Newsweek’s rankings were determined by a combination of accreditation data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), peer reputation surveys from medical professionals, and Google review scores measuring patient satisfaction. With more than 17,000 addiction treatment facilities across the U.S., earning placement among the top 420 reflects RCA’s unwavering commitment to high-quality treatment, compassionate support, and long-term recovery success.
RCA offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders, including inpatient treatment—medically monitored detox and residential—outpatient services like PHP, IOP, Recovery Living, family coaching and education, and a robust alumni network and case management program to recovery last well beyond their doors. All RCA sites are fully accredited and designed to provide care in a comfortable, stigma-free environment.
To learn more about this, please read the full press release here.
Despite growing awareness and increased access to mental health care, the stigma surrounding addiction treatment remains one of the most significant barriers to recovery. For many, admitting to a substance use disorder (SUD) feels like admitting defeat – especially for those in high-stress, high-responsibility professions like active military personnel, veterans, and first responders who are often expected to embody strength, resilience, and unwavering control.
But here’s the truth: seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of courage, responsibility and a step toward healing….
To read more about Blythe Maynard, CEO at Recovery Centers of America at Bracebridge Hall, being featured in SuccessKnocks – read here