For some, the year 2006 may seem insignificant, just another year passed of life gone by; however, for Addiction Recovery Care founder and CEO Tim Robinson, it was the beginning of an entirely new life. He grew up in Inez, the son of a successful father who served as Martin County PVA. Tim visioned a life in public service and politics.
Let's rewind to the late 1990s.
Tim appeared on the fast track to success. He graduated from the University of the Cumberlands with his bachelor’s and achieved his dream of being accepted into the University of Kentucky’s prestigious J. David Rosenberg College of Law. Everything seemed to go as planned until his mother’s terminal lung cancer diagnosis left a cascading impact on his life.
The news rippled through Tim, deflating his purpose and leading to spiritual decay. He started to cope as millions of Americans do, drinking considerable amounts of alcohol. Tim’s drinking didn’t standout. Many law students “de-stress” the pressures of legal studies by consuming alcohol. However, there was a secret, not even he knew about; Tim was predisposed to become an alcoholic.
Tim was dying, and no one realized. The impacts of alcoholism are often slow yet methodical. Despite his battle, Tim would graduate law school and become, by all accounts, a successful assistant prosecuting attorney and a partner at a law firm.
Back to 2006 now.
Local Pastor Rick May who also served as a court bailiff, routinely stopped to try and talk to Tim about Jesus. One specific day, faith would prevail. Blanketed by despair and shame, Tim surrendered and began a spiritual journey guided by Pastor May, which led to Tim’s sobriety, and so too began a new life and a new mission.
Tim noticed the lack of treatment centers in Eastern Kentucky and knew everyone battling a substance use disorder needed someone like Pastor May. He started a transport ministry in 2008. Only a year went by when he set his sights on opening Louisa’s first women’s treatment center, Karen’s Place.
Today, his vision and alignment with other successful people in recovery and addiction treatment have led Addiction Recovery Care to becoming Kentucky’s largest treatment provider. A nationally renowned treatment model marrying treatment with vocational training – leading to successful long-term outcomes through second-chance employment.
Fast-forward to 2022, and 16 years later, Tim's recovery journey and vision have transformed thousands of lives. 2006 may seem insignificant to many, but it was the beginning of transformative treatment and a recovery revolution.
Tim's Journey to Destiny
Tim found sobriety on December 11, 2006.
A court bailiff and local pastor guided Tim to recovery and a relationship with Christ, while he served as Assistant County Attorney in Lawrence County.
Tim resigned as a prosecuting attorney in Lawrence County and gave his private law practice to his partner.
In the ensuing months Tim would embark on a grassroots campaign to start a ministry for those suffering from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
Tim opens the first of what would become of many addiction treatment facilities in Kentucky.
Karen's Place opened as a recovery center for women in Louisa, Kentucky. The first client served was Vanessa Keeton, today she serves as ARC's Vice President of Marketing.
The facility is still open and continues to serve women.
Addiction Recovery Care accepted Kentucky's first Medicaid patient into treatment.
A year prior Kentucky expanded Medicaid to cover substance use treatment services. Studies have found the number of Medicaid beneficiaries in the Commonwealth jumped 700% due to the expansion.
ARC leaders create a vocational track to accompany the recovery model.
The flagship vocational training program, has seen success rates of over 80 percent, with success being defined as living in recovery and being employed.
Students who have successfully completed the program with all certifications and have been in recovery for one year are eligible for employment as a Kentucky Peer Support Specialist with ARC or with any behavioral health agency that bills Medicaid for addiction treatment. Through a partnership, graduates are eligible to receive 28 quarter college credit hours to use toward furthering their education.
Since then ARC has expanded possible vocational tracks to include auto mechanics, carpentry, general maintenance, welding and more.
Crown Recovery Center is 52 acres of hope and is the largest Addiction Campus in the United States and opened in November, 2020. The campus located in Springfield, Kentucky and is able to serve more than 700 clients daily
Today, ARC operates a network of over 30 licensed addiction treatment centers in 22 Central and Eastern Kentucky counties, serving approximately 2,000 individuals.
In the next year leaders expect to open facilities in Owensboro and Russell, Kentucky. They also announced plans to open a facility in Virginia, a timetable for that project has not been finalized.
