Heroes Of The Addiction Crisis: How Trent Carter Of Renew Health Is Helping To Battle One of Our Most Serious Epidemics
You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea — and that’s a good thing.
When I first launched Renew Health, I tried to get everyone on board — doctors, hospitals, city officials, community orgs. Some were supportive. Others looked at me like I was crazy for trying to run outpatient addiction treatment in a place like Roswell. But here’s what I learned: If everyone agrees with you, you’re probably playing it too safe. Disruption comes with resistance. Now, I focus on impact, not approval — and the results speak for themselves.
As a part of our series about “Heroes Of The Addiction Crisis,” I had the pleasure of interviewing Trent Carter.
After witnessing the urgent need for comprehensive addiction treatment in New Mexico, Trent Carter founded Renew Health, an innovative recovery center dedicated to saving lives and restoring futures through patient-centered treatment. A nurse practitioner with a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, Trent was driven by his passion for helping others to ensure hope and healing for those most in need. Under his leadership, Renew Health was awarded the ‘Best Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center in New Mexico.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a bit of your backstory?
Absolutely — and I appreciate you having me.
I grew up in Boyd, Texas, a small town where hard work wasn’t optional, it was expected. My dad worked for Delta Air Lines, but that was just his 9 to 5. On the side, he was constantly hustling — buying and selling used vehicles and finding new ways to provide for our family. He showed me early on what it meant to take initiative, wear a lot of hats, and build something from scratch. That spirit stuck with me.
I always had a fascination with the human body and how things worked — especially when it came to science and health. While other kids were playing video games, I was studying muscle anatomy or reading up on training plans from old-school bodybuilders. I ended up being one of the first in my family to go to college, and I chose nursing because I wanted a career that combined science, service, and impact.
I started out working in trauma and other ICU units, where I got an up-close look at addiction — but at that time and in my role as a nurse, we weren’t treating it. We were stabilizing people, patching up the damage, and sending them back out. No real plan, no long-term support. That frustration is what pushed me to go deeper.
When I became a nurse practitioner, I leaned all the way in. I specialized in addiction medicine, got board certified, and eventually founded Renew Health to build the kind of program I wish had existed for so many of the patients I’d seen over the years. We combine science-based tools — like Suboxone and other medications — with personalized support that fits into real life. No white-knuckling. No shame-based tactics. Just results and real healing.
We started in Roswell, New Mexico, and now we’re growing fast — but I’ll never forget it took six weeks to get our first patient through the door. I’m proud to say that person became our first success story. Since then, we’ve helped thousands get their lives back.
This work isn’t just clinical for me — it’s personal. Not because I’ve battled addiction myself, but because I’ve seen what happens when the system fails people. And I decided I wasn’t going to be part of that failure. I was going to build something better.
Is there a particular story or incident that inspired you to get involved in your work with opioid and drug addiction?
You know, people are usually expecting some dramatic personal story here — like I lost a sibling to opioids or had my own rock-bottom moment. But the truth is… I didn’t. I don’t have a history of addiction, and I didn’t get into this field because of some single, life-changing event.
What drew me in was the patient population.
When I first started working with addiction patients during my nurse practitioner training, something just clicked. These were people who had been written off, shamed, or misunderstood by most of the healthcare system, but when you actually sat with them, listened, and gave them the right tools and support — they lit up. They changed. And they didn’t just get sober — they got their lives back.
I saw transformation happening, and I wanted to be a part of that. Not from a place of pity, but from a place of deep respect. This population is resilient as hell. They’ve survived things most people can’t imagine, and when they’re ready to heal, they move mountains. That inspires me every single day.
So no, there wasn’t a single defining moment. I just found my people — and I decided to build something that actually serves them.
Can you explain what brought us to this place? Where did this epidemic come from?
Opioid addiction isn’t new — it’s been around for a long time. But the crisis we’re facing today really ignited in the ’90s. That’s when pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma flooded the market with opioids, telling doctors these meds were “safe” and hardly addictive. That lie got repeated so often, it became the truth — and entire communities paid the price.
People were prescribed pills for routine injuries or surgeries, not knowing they were stepping into a trap. When the prescriptions dried up, they turned to heroin. Then fentanyl showed up — cheap, deadly, and everywhere. That’s when overdose deaths exploded.
This epidemic was built on misinformation, greed, and a healthcare system that wasn’t ready to treat addiction like the chronic disease it is. But here’s the good news: We have solutions. We’ve got the science, the tools, and the know-how. Now it’s about making treatment accessible, compassionate, and real.
Can you describe how your work is making an impact in battling this epidemic?
Absolutely, and this is where I get fired up. Because this isn’t theory for me — it’s boots-on-the-ground, every single day.
At Renew Health, we’re doing more than treating addiction — we’re rebuilding lives. Our model is rooted in reality. We use science-backed medication like Suboxone, but we also wrap that in personalized, compassionate care that fits into people’s actual lives. That means folks don’t have to quit their jobs, leave their families, or put everything on hold just to get sober. They can heal while staying engaged in the world around them — and that’s powerful.
Since we opened our first clinic in 2022, we’ve helped thousands of patients across New Mexico find real recovery. We’re in underserved communities that were basically forgotten when it comes to addiction care.
At Renew Health, there are no waitlists. No shame. Just rapid access to support that works.
And we don’t stop after initial treatment. We stay connected long after detox. Whether it’s long-term medication-assisted treatment, helping someone taper off meds, managing co-occurring mental health issues, or just celebrating a milestone they never thought they’d reach, we’re here for the long haul.
I think that’s where we’re making the biggest dent. We’re showing that recovery isn’t some idealistic fantasy — it’s doable and sustainable. People just need the right tools, the right support, and a team that actually gives a damn.
Without sharing real names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by your initiative?
There’s one patient who sticks with me — let’s call him Erik. When Erik first came to us, he was overdosing almost weekly. His mom told me she was afraid to go to sleep at night because she didn’t know if her son would still be alive in the morning. That’s the level of chaos and fear they were living in. And sadly, that’s not an uncommon story.
But what set Erik apart was that spark — you could see it under the surface. He had this natural charisma and passion, even when he was at rock bottom. We got him started on Suboxone and wrapped him in real support. He stuck with it. He showed up for himself. And little by little, that spark started to turn into something solid.
Fast forward — Erik is now over two years sober and absolutely owning life. He’s healthy, motivated, and inspiring people around him without even trying. In fact, he made such an impression that I ended up offering him a job. Now he’s been working full-time at Renew Health for over six months.
The same guy who was once stuck in an overdose cycle is now helping others find their way out. That’s what this work is all about: helping people not just survive addiction, but turn their pain into purpose.
And his mom? She told me, “I’m not afraid anymore.” She can finally sleep at night.
Can you share something about your work that makes you most proud? Is there a particular story or incident that you found most uplifting?
There are a lot of things I’m proud of, but what really hits me the hardest is watching people go from barely surviving to truly thriving. Seeing someone walk in with their head down, ashamed, sick, hopeless — and then fast-forward a few months, they’re standing tall, showing up early to appointments, talking about goals, rebuilding relationships. That transformation never gets old.
One moment that stands out happened recently with a patient I hadn’t seen in a while. He came back to the clinic, gave me a big hug, and said, “You probably don’t even realize how much you changed my life.” And the truth is, I didn’t. I knew we’d helped, but I didn’t know the full extent. He went on to tell me he’d gotten his kids back, landed a job he was proud of, and hadn’t touched a drug in over a year. He just wanted to come back and say thank you.
That moment reminded me that we don’t always see the ripple effect of what we’re doing. But it’s there. And to me, that’s what makes this work worth it. It’s not just about stopping drug use — it’s about restoring dignity, rebuilding families, and helping people reclaim a life they thought was out of reach.
That’s what I’m proud of. Not just saving lives — but watching people build better ones.
Can you share three things that the community and society can do to help you address the root of this problem? Can you give some examples?
- Normalize addiction treatment the same way we do for any other chronic illnesses.
Addiction is not a moral failure — it’s a chronic, treatable medical condition. But stigma still keeps people from getting help. We need to stop whispering about recovery and start talking about it like we do diabetes, depression, or high blood pressure. For example, if someone’s taking Suboxone, they shouldn’t feel ashamed — they should feel supported. Just like we don’t shame someone for taking insulin, we shouldn’t shame someone for taking the medication that’s keeping them alive. - Expand access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Too many people are ready to get help but can’t find a clinic, don’t have transportation, or get stuck on a waitlist. That’s unacceptable. We need more clinics offering same-day or next-day access, more telehealth flexibility, and policies that actually fund the infrastructure needed. In our Renew Health clinics, we’ve eliminated waitlists and offer sliding scale payments — but we need more systems doing the same. - Focus on prevention and education — early and often.
We wait too long to talk about addiction. By the time someone’s in crisis, we’re already behind. We should be talking to teenagers about the risks of fentanyl, the realities of dependency, and how to seek help without shame. And it’s not just schools — we need employers, churches, and community leaders stepping up too. I’ve given talks at Rotary Clubs and city council meetings, and it’s amazing how many people still don’t know how lethal street drugs have become. Awareness saves lives.
If you had the power to influence legislation, which three laws would you like to see introduced that might help you in your work?
- Nationwide Medicaid parity for addiction treatment — including MAT.
Right now, access to medication-assisted treatment (like Suboxone) varies wildly depending on the state you live in. Some states make it nearly impossible for providers to prescribe it, or they reimburse at rates that discourage clinics from even offering it. That’s backwards. We need legislation that requires all states to cover evidence-based addiction treatment, including MAT, at fair rates. If someone’s ready for help, where they live shouldn’t decide if they live or die. - Immediate funding for same-day treatment access and 24/7 care infrastructure.
Addiction doesn’t wait for business hours. We need funding that allows clinics to expand their hours, support same-day appointments, and build out 24/7 call centers and crisis response. At Renew Health, we offer 7-day text access and fast turnaround, but we had to build that on our own dime. Imagine if clinics everywhere had the resources to respond when someone is ready, instead of two weeks later. That’s how you catch someone before the next overdose. - Criminal justice reform to mandate treatment over incarceration for non-violent drug offenses.
We’re still locking people up for what is, at its core, a health issue. If someone is caught with substances and it’s their first offense, they should be immediately connected to a certified recovery program — not thrown in jail and given a criminal record that makes future success even harder. We’ve worked with patients coming out of detention centers who thrived once given access to medication and support. The system should be designed to help them, not trap them.
This is all possible. These aren’t pipe dreams — they’re policy decisions. And if we had the courage to treat addiction like the public health crisis it is, we’d save lives, reduce crime, and cut long-term costs across the board.
Let’s stop reacting to overdoses and start legislating like we actually want to prevent them.
I know that this is not easy work. What keeps you going?
You’re right — this isn’t easy work. It’s heavy, it’s emotional, and some days, it feels like I’m swimming upstream against a broken system. But what keeps me going?
The wins. Not the flashy, overnight success stories — but the quiet, powerful ones. The patient who shows up to their appointment two minutes early for the first time. The mom who tells me, “My son laughed today for the first time in years.” The guy who used to be scared to look me in the eye but now walks in with his head high, talking about job interviews and college classes.
What keeps me going is knowing that for a lot of these folks, we’re not just helping them survive — we’re giving them a shot at rebuilding their lives. And when they succeed? It doesn’t just affect them. Their kids, families, and communities feel the ripple effect.
And honestly, I love this work. I love the science. I love the challenge. And I love watching someone who once thought they were beyond saving realize they were just getting started.
That never gets old. That’s why I keep showing up.
Do you have hope that one day this leading cause of death can be defeated?
I do. But not because I’m wearing rose-colored glasses. I have hope because I see recovery happen every single day. I see people who were counted out come back stronger, smarter, and more self-aware than they’ve ever been. I see moms get their kids back. I see people go from overdosing weekly to helping others find sobriety.
Now, will we ever fully eliminate addiction? Probably not. But can we defeat this epidemic — the overdose crisis, the stigma, the system failures that let people fall through the cracks? Yes. 100%.
We have the tools. We have the data. We know what works: medication-assisted treatment, access to care, trauma-informed therapy, and community-based support. What we need is the will to scale it. The courage to fund it. The leadership to normalize it.
So yeah, I have hope. But it’s not passive hope. It’s earned hope — built on real outcomes, real strategy, and real people proving every day that this thing can be beaten.
It’s not a question of if we can do it. It’s a question of whether we’ll step up and do the work.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
To me, leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice in the room — it’s about taking responsibility when no one else will. It’s seeing a problem, owning it, and building a solution, even if you have to do it from the ground up. Especially when it’s hard. Especially when it’s not glamorous.
It’s also about showing up before you’re ready, making the call, having the uncomfortable conversations, and being willing to take the heat when things don’t go perfectly. Because people are counting on you.
When I opened Renew Health, there were no guarantees. No investors. No safety net. Just a clinic in a city with massive need and very little infrastructure for addiction care. It took six weeks to get my first patient. I was knocking on doors, meeting with hospital CEOs, mayors, other providers — just trying to get people to understand that there was a better way to treat addiction.
That’s leadership to me. Not waiting for permission — just doing the work because it needs to be done.
And now? That first patient is one of thousands. We’ve got a team, a system, and a mission that’s helping people reclaim their lives. Not because I had all the answers, but because I refused to look away from the problem. That’s what leaders do. They lean in.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
No problem — this one hits home. Here are five things I wish someone had pulled me aside and told me when I was first starting this journey. Would’ve saved me some stress, some second-guessing, and probably a few gray hairs.
- You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea — and that’s a good thing.
When I first launched Renew Health, I tried to get everyone on board — doctors, hospitals, city officials, community orgs. Some were supportive. Others looked at me like I was crazy for trying to run outpatient addiction treatment in a place like Roswell. But here’s what I learned: If everyone agrees with you, you’re probably playing it too safe. Disruption comes with resistance. Now, I focus on impact, not approval — and the results speak for themselves. - Scaling is harder than starting.
I thought getting the doors open was the mountain. But once we got traction? That’s when the real work started. Scaling clinics, hiring the right people, maintaining culture, managing systems — it’s a beast. One mistake I made early on was hiring too fast without enough structure. I assumed passion was enough. It’s not. You need process and people who can carry the mission with excellence, not just enthusiasm. - Exhaustion doesn’t earn you extra credit.
When you care deeply about the work, it’s easy to burn yourself out “for a good cause.” I was working 14-hour days, answering calls on weekends, barely seeing my family — and I thought that made me a better leader. It didn’t. It made me a tired one. Now I protect my energy like a resource because if I’m running on fumes, I can’t lead a team or care for patients effectively. Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. - No one will care about your mission more than you — and that’s okay.
You want your team to buy in, and they should. But expecting them to carry your same level of ownership 24/7 is a fast track to frustration. I had to learn to delegate with trust and to separate expectations from resentment. When I give people the tools and the freedom to own their role, they often rise higher than I expected — but I had to let go of control to see that happen. - The mission will stretch you more than you ever imagined — and it’s worth it.
There were times I questioned if what I was doing was right. When things got tough — financially, emotionally, operationally — it would’ve been easy to shrink back. But I leaned in. And every time I see a patient turn their life around, or a mom say “I’m not afraid anymore,” it reminds me why I kept going. This work will stretch you in every direction — but the growth is exactly what makes it meaningful.
If someone had told me all this upfront, maybe I wouldn’t have believed them. But now? These lessons are part of my DNA. And if you’re just getting started — don’t let the hard parts scare you off. Let them shape you.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could inspire one movement, it would be this: “Recovery Isn’t Rehab — It’s Real Life.”
We’ve got to shift the way society thinks about addiction recovery. Right now, most people picture rehab as some 30-day, inpatient facility tucked away in the woods. And for some folks, that’s what they need. But for millions of others? That model just isn’t realistic. They’ve got jobs. Kids. Bills. Responsibilities they can’t walk away from. And because of that, too many people never get help — because they think recovery means disappearing from their life.
The truth is, real recovery happens in real life. It happens between work shifts, during school pickup, in grocery stores. We need to build systems that meet people where they are, not where we think they should be. That means more outpatient access, more flexible support, and more community spaces where recovery isn’t hidden — it’s celebrated.
If we can normalize that — if we can help people understand that they don’t have to vanish to get better — we remove one of the biggest barriers to healing. Recovery becomes visible, accessible, and something to be proud of.
That’s the movement. And I truly believe it could save lives — not just by stopping overdoses, but by showing people they’re not broken… they’re just rebuilding. And they don’t have to do it alone.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
This is actually a quote I coined myself:
“Learn. Act. Fail. Repeat.”
Eventually, that becomes:
“Learn. Act. Succeed. Repeat.”
Failure isn’t the end — it’s part of the process. When we fail, it means we’re pushing our limits, stepping outside our comfort zone. And every time we do that, we gain something — insight, resilience, wisdom. Eventually, those lessons compound, and failure turns into success. But even success isn’t the finish line — it’s just the next opportunity to learn and act again.
That cycle — learning, acting, failing, and succeeding — is how we grow. In recovery. In leadership. In life.
Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
If I could have a private breakfast or lunch with anyone, it’d be Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Not just because I grew up admiring his physique — which I absolutely did — but because he’s the ultimate example of what’s possible when you combine relentless discipline with bold reinvention. From bodybuilding legend to Hollywood icon to Governor of California, he’s built and rebuilt himself over and over again. That kind of evolution takes more than talent — it takes vision, humility, and the ability to grind when no one’s watching.
What I’d love to talk with Arnold about is mindset. What keeps him moving forward when most people would’ve stopped at “good enough”? How does he reframe failure? And how does he stay connected to a mission bigger than himself?
As someone who works in addiction recovery, mental health, and entrepreneurship, I see people trying to rebuild their lives every day. Arnold’s story isn’t just inspiring — it’s a blueprint. I’d be honored to sit down with him, swap stories, and talk about how we can help more people unlock their own transformation.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
You can follow the work we’re doing at Renew Health on Facebook and Instagram at @renewhealthnm. For more professional updates and insights, connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-carter/ and follow Renew Health at https://www.linkedin.com/company/renewhealthnm/.
And stay tuned — I’ll soon be launching my personal social media across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and YouTube under @thetrentcarter. That’s where I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes of the mission, mindset strategies, and real talk on recovery, leadership, and leveling up in life.
This was very meaningful. Thank you so much!
Heroes Of The Addiction Crisis: How Trent Carter Of Renew Health Is Helping To Battle One of Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.