The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
2026 Dr. James West Quality Improvement Award
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has been selected as the recipient of the NAATP Dr. James West Quality Improvement Award. The award recognizes new, innovative, and successful clinical, operational, and systemic advancements that improve the quality and quantity of addiction treatment. ASAM is recognized for its leadership in advancing evidence-based standards that improve the quality and reach of addiction treatment. Through the decades long development and widespread adoption of the ASAM Clinical Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related, and Co-occurring Conditions (ASAM Criteria), which has its genesis here at NAATP, ASAM has provided a nationally recognized framework that enables clinicians and health systems to deliver patient-centered, level-of-care-appropriate treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. ASAM’s work has strengthened clinical decision-making, supported consistent treatment standards, and expanded access to addiction care across the healthcare system. With the recent publication of the Fourth Edition of the ASAM Criteria and now the ASAM criteria for adolescents, NAATP is pleased to honor our ASAM colleagues.
- Past Dr. James West Quality Improvement Award Recipients
2025 Recovery Research Institute (RRI)
2024 Treatment Professionals in Alumni Services (TPAS) 2023 Hanley Foundation 2022 Research Institute at Cumberland Heights 2021 Al Johnson, State Attorney Addiction Recovery Task Force 2019 OMNI Institute 2018 Wilson Compton, MD 2015 Memorial Hermann 2015 Edgewood Health 2014 Gosnold on Cape Cod 2013 New Beginnings Recovery Center, Opelousas, LA 2012 Valley Hope Association 2012 Gosnold on Cape Cod 2012 Glendale Adventist Alcohol and Drug Services 2011 Foundations Recovery Network 2011 Memorial Hermann Prevention & Recovery Center 2010 Betty Ford Center 2009 Livengrin Foundation 2009 Operation P.A.R. 2008 Little Hill Alina Lodge 2008 Residence XII 2008 Lakeside Milam Recovery Centers 2008 Gateway Rehabilitation Center 2008 Hazelden Foundation 2008 CRC Health 2007 Little Hill Alina Lodge 2007 Talbott Recovery Campus 2006 Talbott Recovery Campus 2006 AdCare Hospital of Worcester
Pia Mellody
2026 Nelson Bradley Career Achievement Award
Pia Mellody is the posthumous recipient of the distinguished NAATP Nelson Bradley Career Achievement Award. The Award recognizes the career-long achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to addiction treatment and recovery services. Pia Mellody, whose passing last year is mourned widely by the addiction and mental health fields, was a true visionary whose groundbreaking work revolutionized our approach to treating addiction and trauma. As one of the foremost pioneers in the field, Pia developed her renowned Model of Developmental Immaturity, grounded in her deep understanding of trauma, codependency, and relational healing. In so doing she provided a roadmap for thousands of individuals to recover from addiction and rebuild their lives. Pia’s work integrates complex psychological and emotional concepts into accessible, effective treatment methodologies. Through her teaching, writing, and clinical leadership, she trained generations of therapists and inspired entire organizations.
- Past Nelson Bradley Career Achievement Award Recipients
2025 Gary Fisher
2024 John Curtiss, The Retreat 2023 Judy Crane 2022 Mike Schiks, Project Turnabout & Hazelden Foundation 2021 Pamela Rodriguez, TASC 2019 Betty Ford, Betty Ford Center 2018 Philip Eaton, Rosecrance Health Network 2017 Margaret Diehl, Seabrook House 2016 Nora D. Volkow, MD, National Institute on Drug Abuse 2015 Jim Marcotte, English Mountain Recovery 2013 English Mountain Recovery 2011 Tom McClellan 2010 William White 2009 John Wallace, Ph.D. 2008 Senator Paul David Wellstone 2007 Carlton K. Erickson, Ph.D. 2006 Mark Gold, M.D.
Jeff and Debra Jay
2026 Michael Ford Journalism Award
Debra and Jeff Jay are the recipients of the NAATP Michael Ford Journalism Award. The award recognizes high standards of journalistic and writing excellence in the awareness, research, writing, and presentations of addiction information that demonstrate the value of and need for recovery through addiction treatment. Debra and Jeff are prolific professional and compassionate writers, together and individually, of a body of work, anchored in the landmark publication Love First, A Family's Guide to Intervention, that has guided the addiction field in the art of intervention, resulting in treatment for countless patients who otherwise would not receive care. Love First was followed by It Takes a Family, Creating Lasting Sobriety, Togetherness, and Happiness, that moves the patient and family from treatment to the journey of recovery. The unique, and now well-established contribution of the works is in the validation of the family as an honored and essential component of care. Rather than derision and classification of family as a dysfunctional unit, the Jay’s core philosophy is one of respect, agency, and hope.
- Past Michael Ford Journalism Award Recipients
2025 Dr. Claudia Black
2024 Neil Scott, Recovery - Coast to Coast 2023 Paul Steinbroner 2022 Madeleine Dean & Harry Cunnane, U.S. Congress & Caron Treatment Center 2021 German Lopez, Vox 2019 Barry Meier, Formerly The New York Times 2018 Sam Quinones 2017 Julie Miller, Behavioral Healthcare Magazine 2016 Alison Knopf, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly 2015 Gary Enos 2014 Greg Williams 2013 Dan Carracino 2011 The Reverend Dr. Williams Lenters 2010 Kevin McCauley, M.D. 2009 Joe Cruse, M.D. 2008 Katherine Ketcham 2007 William Cope Moyers 2006 Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Susan Cheever, and Rabbi Twerski
Philip Rutherford
2026 Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity, and Racial Equity Award
Philip Rutherford is this year’s honoree for the Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity, and Racial Equity Award. The Award recognizes champions of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the addiction treatment and recovery field. Phil, who identifies himself as a person in long-term recovery, has dedicated his career to developing and implementing treatment and recovery systems throughout the continuum of care that improve access to high quality services for populations that are historically marginalized by systemic inequities. Through his professional service with Recovery is Happening, Faces and Voices of Recovery, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and as a Board Member and trainer for NAATP, Phil has been a tireless, persistent, and uniquely strategic voice promoting equity through compassion and accountability for all those who are willing to try to improve our response to injustice.
- Past Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity, and Racial Equity Award Recipients
2025 Dr. Dietra Hawkins
2024 Andrew Williams, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation 2023 Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross 2022 White Bison 2021 Turning Point, Inc.
- Past Dr. Jasper Chen See Volunteer Leadership Award Recipients
2025 Sherri Layton
2024 Dan Pecora, Rosecrance Health Network 2023 Guadalupe Espinosa Rugarcía 2022 Ruth Ann Rigby, BRC Recovery 2021 Larry Stetler, Geisinger Marworth 2019 Dr. Merlynn Colip, Valley Hope 2018 Benjamin Zintak, III, Caron Treatment Centers 2017 Michael Chapman, MAC Chapman Family Foundation 2017 Betsy Cox, Seaside Healthcare 2016 Peg Wilkerson, Rosecrance Board of Directors 2016 John Hiatt, Singer Songwriter 2015 Eric Clapton, Crossroads Center Antigua 2015 Sister Ada Geraghty, Northbound 2014 Carole Pickup, New Directions for Women 2013 Lynn Sheehan, Gaston House 2013 Jacob Boudreaux, St. Christopher’s Addiction Wellness Center 2012 Rita Cohen, Little Hill 2012 Dan Knowles, Guest House 2011 Pat George 2011 Ameel Rashid, MD 2010 Christopher Stack, MD 2010 Robert Masters Crichton, Jr. 2010 Ann M. Budde 2009 Mary Jane & Jack Hanley 2009 James D. Simpson, III