By: Nikki Soda
At its core, residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is about creating a safe, structured, and compassionate place for people to heal. It’s where lives are rebuilt, trust is restored, and the foundation for long-term recovery is laid.
Yet despite its transformative impact, residential treatment often exists on shaky ground, undervalued by systems, misunderstood by the public, and made vulnerable by policy decisions at the local, state, and federal levels.
If we want to continue building a future where healing is accessible and recovery is sustainable, we must prioritize residential treatment not only as a clinical service, but as a public good, one backed by outcomes, research, and proven models of care.
Maryland Is Rising to the Challenge
In 2025, Maryland made a series of bold moves to reinforce the infrastructure behind residential care:
- HB1289 prevents discharges from treatment into homelessness unless medically necessary, underscoring the importance of continuity of care and ensuring patients leave treatment with stability, not vulnerability.
- HB722 strengthens licensure standards for residential programs and recovery residences; raising the bar for quality while simplifying oversight.
- A statewide referral and registry workgroup is now underway, designed to bridge the gap between private-pay and publicly funded treatment, enhancing access and system-wide coordination.
These legislative efforts demonstrate a growing recognition that residential care is not optional—it is essential. And it’s most effective when supported by smart, compassionate policy and bolstered by measurable outcomes.
Ashley Addiction Treatment: Where Research Meets Compassion
As a nationally respected provider of residential treatment, Ashley Addiction Treatment understands that healing is about more than just evidence-based therapy—it’s about the environment, the community, and a steadfast commitment to clinical excellence.
Ashley’s approach is driven by values that center the human experience:
- Integrity in upholding ethical and clinical standards
- Compassion in honoring every patient’s unique journey
- Accountability in delivering measurable outcomes and tracking success
- Innovation in evolving care models to meet modern needs
- Excellence in every interaction, intervention, and partnership
Ashley’s investment in research underscores its commitment to not just providing care—but proving its effectiveness. The organization is actively engaged in outcome tracking and scientific inquiry, with initiatives that explore:
- Predictors of successful long-term recovery
- The impact of trauma and early intervention
- Neurobiological insights that inform patient-centered care
Learn more about Ashley’s research portfolio here: ashleytreatment.org/research
In addition to clinical leadership, Ashley is a trusted voice in Maryland’s policy landscape—collaborating with legislators, participating in strategic planning, and advocating for a system that supports comprehensive, equitable, and evidence-informed residential care.
The Politics of Place
While Maryland has made important strides, providers across the country still face enormous challenges tied to zoning, licensure, and funding. The “not in my backyard” stigma remains, and residential programs often encounter resistance before even opening their doors.
To change this, we must advocate for residential care as a pillar of the behavioral health continuum—not a luxury. That includes:
- Educating local leaders and communities
- Demanding parity in funding and insurance coverage
- Holding systems accountable for ethical discharge planning
Integrating treatment into housing, criminal justice, and healthcare systems
Why This Matters
Residential treatment is where hope is restored, and that kind of healing cannot happen without infrastructure, outcomes, and policy support.
Since 1983, Ashley Addiction Treatment has been a trusted leader in residential care, grounded in a legacy of compassion, clinical excellence, and innovation. Maryland is now modeling what it looks like when smart public policy aligns with that kind of long-standing expertise. Ashley is proving that when treatment is backed by research, accountability, and heart, recovery isn’t just possible, it’s measurable. As we shape the future of behavioral health, Ashley invites policymakers, providers, and advocates to join in strengthening a system where residential treatment is protected, prioritized, and positioned to change lives for generations to come.
To learn more about our residential care, you can get in touch through our admissions team, contact us directly, or email us at info@ashleytreatment.org to speak with someone who understands.
