The Climb

Douglas Leech – CEO, Ascension Recovery Services – Fully Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers
December 9, 2025
Douglas Leech is Founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services, an organization focused on developing and managing comprehensive, fully integrated behavioral health systems, treating Substance Use Disorders and co-occurring mental illness across the full continuum of care.Mr. Leech has a B.S. degree in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University and worked at Ernst & Young in…
Read more
2025 Reflections: A Year of Growth, Grit, and Groundbreaking Work in Recovery
December 2, 2025
For Ascension Recovery Services, 2025 was not just another year of projects, openings, and milestones. It was a year that reminded us why we exist — to build programs that change lives, support communities, and bring recovery within reach for people who often have nowhere else to turn. At our core, we are an organization…
Read more
From Recovery to Reform: Building Hope and Healing on Tribal Lands
October 24, 2025
When I started my recovery journey, I had what so many do not: both familial and financial support. Even though the nearest treatment was out of state, my family made sure I could access quality care. I witnessed firsthand how rocky the path to healing can be when recovery is hampered by geography and cost.…
Read more
Breaking Barriers in Mental Health & SUD Care: LPCs and LMFTs as Medicare Providers
October 18, 2023
In a groundbreaking move, the landscape of mental health care and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the United States is undergoing a significant transformation. The shift began with the proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, a document that outlined sweeping changes aimed at enhancing mental health and substance use services for millions of Americans.…
Read more
September: Embracing Recovery & Increasing Access to Addiction Treatment
September 6, 2023
Every September, National Recovery Month serves as a beacon of hope for those grappling with addiction, reminding us that recovery is achievable. It highlights the stories of individuals who have embarked on the challenging path of recovery and emerged as victors. Initiated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Recovery Month emphasizes the…
Read more
Addressing the Xylazine Crisis: ARS at the Forefront
August 11, 2023
The surge in substance use, including xylazine, is causing significant harm to individuals and communities, leading to an increase in drug overdoses. There is a need for the development of innovative addiction treatments tailored to these modern substances. Fortunately, Ascension Recovery Services is at the forefront of behavioral health solutions, helping organizations implement programs to…
Read more
What Are the Signs of a Drug Overdose?
August 1, 2023
In a groundbreaking move, the landscape of mental health care and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the United States is undergoing a significant transformation. The shift began with the proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, a document that outlined sweeping changes aimed at enhancing mental health and substance use services for millions of Americans.…
Read more
Positive Shifts in Behavioral Health: Professional Licensing Compacts
July 12, 2023
The behavioral health industry is facing a workforce shortage. As behavioral health problems are becoming less stigmatized, more people are reaching out to receive care. It is positive news that people are seeking help, however at the same time, meeting the needs of the population is becoming harder to do with existing workforce strategies. There…
Read more
Eliminating Barriers to Care: X-Waiver Elimination & MAT via Telehealth
July 9, 2023
In Part I of this series, we explored the dynamic changes in the regulatory and business landscape within the behavioral health industry since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. One significant obstacle to effective and accessible substance use treatment has been the presence of outdated and ineffective regulations. In this blog, we delve deeper into the transformative…
Read more
Navigating the Shifting SUD Landscape: How to Stay Relevant Part 1
May 9, 2023
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially lifted the global emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a positive trend in containing the spread of the virus worldwide. Additionally, the United States' public health emergency has also ended. As a result, healthcare providers, including treatment providers, are navigating a new world with significant changes…
Read more