At Addiction Recovery Specialists (ARS), our team is composed of seasoned professionals committed to guiding individuals and families through the transformative journey of recovery. With decades of experience and unwavering dedication, our leaders embody the values of compassion, expertise, and hope.
Brian Halstead
Founder & Executive Director
Brian Halstead, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Gambling Counselor, and Certified Intervention Professional, brings over 40 years of unparalleled experience in recovery counseling and treatment.
Unlike many within the addiction treatment industry, Brian has never been motivated by the bureaucracy of healthcare or financial incentives. His work is rooted in a simple but powerful mission: to help individuals heal and reclaim their lives. From the beginning of his career at the Reading Detox Center in 1986, Brian focused on supporting relapse-prone patients with compassion and evidence-based care.
Brian’s visionary leadership was pivotal in creating transitional housing programs for recovering individuals—safe spaces that gave people not only shelter but the tools to reintegrate as thriving members of society.
At Caron Treatment Centers, Brian helped establish a groundbreaking relapse treatment center, integrating cognitive and experiential therapies to address deep-seated challenges hindering long-term recovery.
Brian’s legacy is one of action, innovation, and results. As the Executive Director of Adult Services at Caron, he spearheaded nationally recognized programs designed to achieve what matters most: real, sustainable recovery for patients. His personal journey of over 40 years in recovery adds a deeply empathetic perspective, helping him connect with those he serves on a profound level.
Sandy Halstead
Certified Counselor and Family Therapist
Sandy Halstead, CDC, ASAT, BA, is a compassionate and skilled professional with more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and families overcome addiction. A Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Associate Sex and Multiple Addiction Therapist, Sandy’s expertise spans some of the most challenging areas of recovery, including family systems and co-occurring addictions.
Unlike programs that treat addiction as an isolated issue, Sandy understands the interconnected nature of addiction’s impact—on the individual and their family. Her time at Caron Treatment Centers, working under renowned specialist Patrick Carnes, she honed her ability to address complex cases with precision and empathy. Her approach is deeply personal and resolutely focused on healing the root causes of addiction to empower lifelong recovery.
Brian and Sandy’s leadership is guided by a philosophy that sets ARS apart from the status quo: the belief that recovery is about people, not profit. In a world where many addiction treatment models are dictated by financial incentives, insurance restrictions, and regulatory red tape, ARS refuses to compromise its mission.
Their patient-first approach focuses on delivering the highest standards of care, tailoring treatment to the unique needs of each individual, and creating lasting change. ARS recognizes that addiction is a chronic condition requiring continuous care, education, and support—not just short-term crisis management.
Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with any inquiries.
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