Overview:
Presence News spoke withvHoldfast Recovery during the Disaster Expo about the organization’s mission to help individuals struggling with addiction and trauma. The program, led by CEO Brendan McDonough, combines Christian faith, neuroscience, trauma therapy, and community support to help first responders, veterans, and others find long-term recovery.
MIAMI BEACH, Florida — During the Disaster Expo, Presence News had the opportunity to speak with Holdfast Recovery, a recovery program focused on helping individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges.
The organization drew attention during the event following a keynote presentation by CEO Brendan McDonough, who shared his personal story of survival, recovery, and rebuilding a life after unimaginable tragedy.
Holdfast Recovery focuses heavily on supporting first responders, veterans, and men facing addiction and trauma, providing treatment programs that combine faith-based healing with modern neuroscience and evidence-based therapy.
A Personal Mission Rooted in Experience
Holdfast Recovery was founded by Brendan McDonough, a former member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite wildfire firefighting crew based in Prescott, Arizona.
On June 30, 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire claimed the lives of 19 members of the Hotshots crew, marking one of the deadliest wildfire incidents in American history and the greatest loss of firefighter lives since the September 11 attacks.
McDonough, who was serving as the crew’s lookout that day, survived the tragedy but later struggled with trauma, depression, and alcohol addiction.
His recovery journey eventually inspired him to create Holdfast Recovery — a program designed to help others facing similar battles.
Today, McDonough channels his experience into building a recovery environment centered on brotherhood, resilience, and purpose.
A Faith and Science Approach to Recovery
Holdfast Recovery describes its treatment model as “NeuroFaith,” a philosophy that combines Christian spiritual practices with modern neuroscience and trauma therapy.
The program integrates tools such as:
- Brain mapping and neuroscience-based assessments
- Polyvagal-informed therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Group therapy and peer support
Spiritual elements such as Bible studies, church involvement, and faith-based mentorship are incorporated alongside clinical treatment.
According to the organization, this whole-person model addresses addiction not just as a substance problem but as a complex combination of trauma, mental health challenges, and spiritual disconnection.
Programs Designed for High-Stress Professions
Holdfast Recovery offers specialized treatment tracks designed specifically for individuals in high-stress professions.
These include programs for:
- Veterans
- First responders
- Men in recovery
- Individuals facing co-occurring mental health disorders
The organization also provides dual diagnosis support, helping patients manage addiction alongside conditions such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
A Holistic Recovery Environment
In addition to clinical therapies, Holdfast Recovery integrates physical and lifestyle programs designed to support long-term wellness.
These include:
- Fitness training and a partnership with CrossFit
- Equine therapy and animal-assisted therapy
- Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation
- Outdoor recreation and nature-based healing
- Recovery coaching and employment mentoring
The facility offers a full continuum of care including detox services, residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP).
Supporting First Responders Through Recovery
During the interview with Presence News, Lance Haney emphasized the importance of providing recovery support for those who spend their careers responding to emergencies.
First responders often face repeated exposure to trauma, which can contribute to substance abuse, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Programs like Holdfast Recovery aim to provide a supportive environment where individuals can process those experiences while rebuilding their physical, mental, and spiritual health.
A Message of Hope
For many individuals entering recovery, the first step can feel overwhelming.
Holdfast Recovery emphasizes that healing begins with community, compassion, and a willingness to seek help.
The organization continues to expand its outreach to veterans, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others who dedicate their lives to protecting their communities.
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