First Step Recovery honors all paths to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction by taking a holistic, patient-centered approach to care.
We understand that recovery is a team effort yet, ultimately, an inside job. How do we know this? Because many of our staff are successfully in recovery themselves. That’s why we can say with confidence that we’re not going to heal you, but we’ll be with you every step of the way to help you heal yourself.
As a leading drug and alcohol addiction center in northeastern Ohio and one of the top in the state, First Step Recovery is here to be a constant beacon of light and healing for patients, families and communities affected by the disease of addiction.
Through our affiliation with Travco Behavioral Health, our services also encompass treatment for individuals of all ages who are struggling with mental health disorders, as well as addiction (which are often co-occurring). Travco’s evidence-based services include medicine-assisted treatment for substance dependence.
Patients come to us through self-referral, family / friend referral and doctor / professional recommendation.
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First Step Recovery is known for its warm, accepting and caring nature. In everything we do, we consistently go above and beyond to be accommodating to our clients’ needs. Yes, we care more!
We couldn’t do this without a strong leadership team that stands behind one another. Our management is committed to investing in innovative practice areas, program development and resources that improve client care.
It’s truly gratifying to help our clients cast a vision of what their lives can look, feel and be like beyond their time with us. We strive to provide hope for a solid resolution, and therefore, a new potential for their futures. In short, we see our work as saving lives, and giving life.
Our facilities are clean, spacious and uncluttered. The atmosphere is both safe and relaxing.
Small yet important details for those in recovery have been tended to, including TVs in the detox unit, comfortable beds, good food and plenty of desserts, a modern gym, coffee all day in the common areas, and smoking being permissible on the campus. Amenities also include:
Every person on First Step Recovery’s team is a soul on a mission to positively transform the lives of others, our communities, and (as a result) the world. We sincerely want to see our clients get better, and we work tirelessly to make that happen.
Our purpose is felt deeply because some of us on the First Step Recovery team have intimately walked the hard road of addiction and recovery. For this reason, empathy prevails as our guiding rule, and our clients instinctually feel this.
David believes that every individual has the prerogative and power to change for the better and deserves the opportunity to do so without judgement.
As owner of First Step Recovery and Travco Behavioral Health, David embodies the ethos of both companies. His entrepreneurial career is focused around upstarting and operating businesses that enable individuals to feel encouraged and safe in their quest for health, recovery and total wellness of body, mind and soul.
David founded First Step Recovery in 2014 along with Kapplands, LLC. Two years later, he acquired Travco Behavioral Health and blended both companies’ operations to create a broad spectrum of support to those in recovery from addiction and/or struggling with mental health.
His leadership in the recovery space also includes being a minority owner of Valley Home Health, LLC in Youngstown and majority owner of Full Circle Recovery, LLC, slated to open in Circleville, Ohio in Fall 2020. David’s consulting company, Kapp Consulting, provides management services for Full Circle Recovery, Parkman Recovery in Warren and AVO Behavioral Health, LLC in Canton. David’s passion for this industry derives from his personal experiences; he has successfully been in recovery himself since 2011.
Rounding out his holdings in health and holistic wellness, David founded and is co-owner of Thermae Retreat in Boardman, a holistic day retreat with a customizable menu of services and that lay the foundation for inner transformation.
Prior to 2012, David had a long-term successful career in the oil and gas acquisition and exploration industry.
Amy is passionate about this field because of her own successful recovery, as well as those of many others she has helped over the years. Amy understands that “you have to give it away to keep it” and is on a mission to spread the word that recovery is possible.
Amy’s experience with chemical dependency treatment, coupled with her education and training in various treatment modalities, enable her to continuously develop specialized programming that leads to First Step Recovery patients’ successful outcomes. She works closely with the clinical staff to provide a strong foundation for her clients’ ongoing recovery by organizing and supervising groups that focus on holistic wellness and the 12-step recovery model—while involving patients’ families in the recovery process.
Amy began her career as a licensed social worker in a community care setting, later transitioning to a position as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor at Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic.
Amy earned her Masters in Social Work from Youngstown State University, graduating summa cum laude. She is also a Licensed Social Worker and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with Clinical Supervision designation).
Dr. Yendrek’s focus on trauma is far reaching and effective—from overseeing our clients’ recoveries and training as a U.S. Army first responder to actively helping to protect the world’s rainforests, coral reefs and indigenous tribes.
Dr. Yendrek’s deep caring for humanity shines through in all he does. Board certified in psychiatry, neurology and addiction medicine, he serves as medical director for Travco, as well as for First Step Recovery’s inpatient detox facility. He manages our outpatient Suboxone program for recovering addicts and Spravato treatment program for those with resistant depression.
Dr. Yendrek graduated from the Ohio University School of Medicine and went onto Ohio State University for his psychiatric residency, where he received a clinical excellence award. Unceasingly driven to help others, he is currently pursuing board certification in Travel and Tropical Medicine through West Virginia University. This will enable him to work directly with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and Doctors Without Borders. In an effort to serve as a first responder in case of a terrorist attack, he is completing a nuclear, biological and chemical response course at Fort Detrick, a U.S. Army Medical Command installation in Frederick, Maryland.
Dr. Yendrek’s reef aquaria are enjoyed by all coming through Travco’s Boardman and Warren locations.
Freddy sees the life-changing results of successful recovery, as someone very close to him went through a recovery program similar to First Step’s.
Freddy is invaluable in keeping First Step Recovery’s locations operating at peak efficiency. With more than 15 years of experience in commercial maintenance, he serves as the project manager for all new construction, acquisition and expansion projects at our facilities. Currently, Freddy oversees a total of 10 properties. He also examines and evaluates our workplace practices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
Previously, Freddy worked for L’oreal USA for a decade. A Warren “native”, Freddy has lived in Trumbull County for 20 years. His three children, fiance and three dogs get all of his attention when he’s not overseeing FSR’s operations. His passion for our community and rehabilitation keeps Freddy inspired every day, knowing that his contribution is playing a key role for those on the path to recovery.
Our First Step Recovery counseling staff is comprised of master-level clinicians—including licensed professional clinical counselors and licensed social workers—as well as licensed chemical dependency counselors and assistants.
Through individual and group counseling (in both inpatient and outpatient settings), the staff provides patients with the necessary support for learning about chemical dependency, preventing relapse and facing personal triggers and life issues that contribute to alcoholism and drug addiction. Additionally, the counseling staff helps link patients to appropriate community resources that aid in smoothing their transition from treatment to their daily lives.
Our medical team—which includes board-certified physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical assistants—provides expert care that promotes our clients’ success in achieving lifelong recovery.
We are proud that several of our clients so substantially healed their lives that they moved through to work here at First Step Recovery as counselors, nurses, technicians and administrative staff.
There’s so much help available but often people are overwhelmed and don't know where to start. For the family and loved ones of the person needing recovery, we understand the window of opportunity can be fleeting, so the more accessibility you have to the right information is critical.
For those facing recovery, we know you are struggling and feel victimized but these consequences you face are not a punishment. This is an opportunity your addiction and behaviors have brought you to, an opportunity to be accountable and choose a path to a better life. Accountability is a gift.
First Step Recovery and Travco Behavioral Health are accredited by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
First Step Recovery accepts private insurance, Medicaid and self-payment. Contact us with any questions you may have about payment.
