Calhoun County Recovers

04/30/2026

Calhoun County led its region in 2025 overdose ER visits, prompting calls for expanded treatment, recovery housing and data efforts, despite strong naloxone distribution.

04/29/2026

Thanks to Taylor Smith and The Anniston Star for your coverage of Calhoun County Recovers and especially the presentation by our keynote speaker Debbi Metzger!

Calhoun County Recovers
AARR - Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences
National Alliance for Recovery Residences
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Jax State Social Work
Jacksonville State University

Calhoun County led its region in 2025 overdose ER visits, prompting calls for expanded treatment, recovery housing and data efforts, despite strong naloxone distribution.

04/29/2026

Congrats to Oxford’s new police chief Daniel Phipps!

AARR - Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences
Calhoun County Recovers
Calhoun County Recovers




City council approves new police chief in Oxford

Oxford Police Deputy Chief Daniel Phipps has been promoted to Chief of Police for the city, effective May 1, 2026.

04/25/2026

Thanks to CBS 42 for your coverage of Calhoun County Recovers!

Calhoun County Recovers
Jacksonville State University
Jax State Social Work
AARR - Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Bradford Health Services
Self Recovery Medical Detox
ROSS
American Addiction Recovery Association
Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston
Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery
180 Recovery House
Back To Life Ministries LLC
Curt Lindsley
Southeast Addiction Recovery Coalition
Starting Point Outreach for Women
Bradford at Warrior

The first annual Calhoun County Recovers event was held at Jacksonville State University on Friday.

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

Highlights from our inspiring first annual Calhoun County Recovers event at Jacksonville State University!

Special thanks to:

* Jax State Social Work for hosting and your phenomenal support of this event;

* Our fabulous speakers including Dr. Kimber Wickersham, Dr. Jody Long and Ms. Stephanie Griffin (JSU Social Work Department), Jeff Breedlove (American Addiction Recovery Association), Debbi Metzger (Alabama Department of Mental Health), John Bayles (Recovery Resource Center), Senator Keith Kelley, Anniston Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston, Judge Jennifer Weems, Oxford Police Deputy Chief Daniel Phipps, Haley Horne (ROSS), Rebecca Bensema (Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles) and Janice Johnson Dowd Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery);

* Our Gold Sponsors Jacksonville State Social Work, AARR - Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences, Self Recovery Medical Detox, Starting Point Outreach for Women and RMC Health System;

* Our Silver Sponsors All In Recovery, Silver Linings Recovery, Back To Life Ministries LLC, Bradford Health Services, Vital Alabama, Behavioral Health Group, Alabama Department of Mental Health and Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles;

* Our amazing volunteers with a special shout out to Kendra Homesley (emcee); Ashley West, Brittany Walker and the registration team at Silver Linings; Amanda Brown (lunch); Starting Point Outreach (greeters); 180 Recovery House (food and beverage table) and everyone else on the fantastic CCR committee that gave of their time and energy to support this event;

* To All In Recovery (Josh and Mandy Kennedy) and Step Up Recovery (Jennifer Tengblad, Jessica Mabrey, Beckie Crumbley and Jamie) for receiving their AARR certification;

*All of our exhibitors who came out to share about the important work they are doing in Calhoun County;

* And all of our attendees who participated in this inspirational day for Calhoun County!

Can’t wait for next year! In the meantime, let’s build on the momentum from CCR 2026 to change lives by raising the level of help and support for quality recovery services in Calhoun County!

04/25/2026

3 weeks till our Round Up guys

04/24/2026

What a day for Calhoun County!

Today marked the first Calhoun County Recovers event, and it was an incredible example of what can happen when a community comes together with one mission: supporting recovery and building hope.

We were proud to bring resources from across Calhoun County all into one place, connecting individuals, families, and professionals with services that truly make a difference. Every AARR-certified program in Calhoun County was represented, showing the strength and commitment of quality recovery support in our area. We also celebrated two additional programs receiving their certifications today — a big step forward for recovery housing and services in our community.

The room was filled with leaders and advocates from every corner of the county, including Jacksonville State University social work students, faculty, and future professionals, members of the recovery community, state and local officials, and partners such as AARR - Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences, Alabama Department of Mental Health, the Recovery Resource Center, Bradford Health Services, Self Recovery Medical Detox, VitAL, ROSS, BHG & many more.

Today was about more than an event—it was about advocacy, education, collaboration, and showing that recovery is alive and growing in Calhoun County.

This is just the beginning. Together, we recover.

Please, share your photos from today and tag Calhoun County Recovers!