Dare to Disrupt
Dare to Disrupt Episode 15: Increasing Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment with Doug Leech
Content warning: This episode contains detailed discussions on depression, anxiety, suicide, and drug abuse. We encourage listener discretion.
Doug Leech is the Founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services. The mission of Ascension RS is to expand access to care by opening fully integrated, comprehensive and person-centered Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorder treatment centers across the country providing for all who need treatment, regardless of insurance type or ability to pay, advancing Behavioral Health Equity.
In this episode, Doug talks about his own struggles with addiction and subsequent recovery. He talks about how he developed a passion for helping those suffering from the disease of addiction and set out to increase access to SUD treatment across the country. Ascension RS has been recognized as one of the fastest growing healthcare companies in the country and is a leader in developing and managing behavioral health treatment centers.
At the end of the episode, Elyse Johnson, a fifth-year student studying general science at Penn State, joins the conversation. She is a current participant in the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank FastTrack Accelerator program with her startup, LifeBoxes. The startup recycles shipping containers to provide customizable and scalable housing solutions. She was also recently a finalist in the Penn State Nittany AI Challenge. Doug shares with Elyse the importance of making your presence known within a community as a social entrepreneur.
Episode Chapters
0:00 – 13:39 Dealing with alcoholism and anxiety as a college student
13:39 – 24:21 Developing a drug addiction, mental health struggles as young professional
24:21 – 31:36 Hitting rock bottom, receiving treatment
31:36 – 33:45 Apologizing to person they hurt in DUI incident
33:45 – 37:23 Launching a sober living town in West Virginia
37:23 – 44:23 from non-profit to for-profit model
44:23 – 47:06 Continuing his path of recovery
47:06 – 59:20 Student section
About Doug Leech
Doug Leech is the Founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services. He graduated from Penn State with a degree in accounting.
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Dare to Disrupt is a podcast about Penn State alumni who are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders, and the stories behind their success. Learn more.
