Addiction, mental health stigma a hurdle

It’s called “NIMBY-ism” and it can kill if left to fester. Short for “not in my backyard,” this community-reinforced roadblock often prevents drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities from opening, and that means those in the throes of addiction must look elsewhere for help or die in droves.

In October 2017, Florida native Brittany Ringersen – who’ll mark nine years as an individual in recovery this spring – celebrated the fourth anniversary of the opening of her Boynton Beach, Florida-based rehab center. What makes this milestone so significant is that Ringersen is the chief operating office...