Recovery Month Shines Light on Healing and Community Support at ATS

September is National Recovery Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the strength of people living in recovery and the organizations supporting them. This year Addiction Treatment Services (ATS) in Traverse City highlighted the month with personal stories, community outreach and a renewed focus on breaking down stigma around substance use disorder.

One of the most powerful voices came from ATS program manager David Gloudemans, who shared his own recovery journey. Having struggled with addiction to alcohol and multiple substances — and facing significant legal and personal consequences — Gloudemans entered treatment at ATS in 2019. Today he works with clients at the very place that helped save his life, demonstrating that recovery is possible and life can be rebuilt with support. He tells others: “If someone like me can recover, somebody, anyone can.”

For Gloudemans, recovery isn’t just personal — it’s a path to service. He now dedicates his life to helping others find their own strength and resilience. ATS Marketing Director Rachel Soulliere explained that Recovery Month is also an opportunity to educate the community about substance use disorder as a disease, not a moral failing, and to normalize conversations about treatment and support. Breaking stigma, she said, helps individuals feel less alone and more encouraged to seek help.

Addiction Treatment Services offers a full continuum of care — from detox and withdrawal management to outpatient therapy — making Northern Michigan resources available for people at every stage of recovery.