Tony Rice Recovery Center

01/30/2026

We don’t just understand addiction—we’ve lived it.

Did you know that every member of our team has personal experience in active addiction? Not just knowledge, but wisdom. If you combine our time, the staff here shares over 100 years of living on this side of life in recovery. The licensed counselors, certified peer recovery specialist, specialized trainings, all of the professional expertise is amazing and we are beyond fortunate and grateful..

But sometimes knowing the person helping you once sat in the same chair you did, walked the same track, sat under the same tree, laughed 'till they couldn't breathe in the same lobby or back porch.. it just hits different.

If you're on the fence about getting the help you know you need.. and you're concerned people won't understand you, we assure you that will not be the case with us.

They say the opposite of addiction is actually connection. And we guarantee that you'll find it here.

01/28/2026

Creativity in Recovery 🎨

One of our clients recently brought a blank wall to life with an incredible piece of artwork... and we couldn’t be more grateful. This mural is more than paint on a wall; it’s a true reflection of talent, growth, and the courage to express oneself in recovery.

We love encouraging our clients to explore and use their gifts, whether that’s art, playing guitar in the lobby (or sometimes not in the lobby if it's business hours / on the phone a lot time😂 the jam sessions get real ) creative writing, leadership, or something they haven’t even discovered yet... or forgot how much they once loved it. Healing definitely doesn’t look the same for everyone, and creative expression can be a powerful part of someone's journey.

A huge thank you to the client who shared their artistic ability with us. Him and our Clinical Director enjoyed every minute of brainstorming, planning, and dreaming this piece into existence. Watching this idea come to life was truly something special. He even snuck some 'Easter Eggs' in for the Clinical Team.

To anyone walking through our doors—your talents matter here. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create. 💙

01/27/2026

Drugs control my life
So don’t try to convince me that
I can be sober
Because at the end of the day
I can’t do this
And I’m not going to lie to myself by saying
I will prosper and succeed
So, I will remind myself
That I am a selfish terrible person
And nothing you tell me will make me believe
I deserve a good life
Because no matter what
I will always be addicted
And I wonder if
Things will get better
Because when I look in the mirror, I always think
Can I Recover?

Now read bottom to top - Emilee Kerrigan

01/24/2026

"I arrived at the Tony Rice Center a broken spirit (and in the back of a patrol car). I had known for some time that I was powerless and needed help with my drug addiction. I had tried other treatment centers and everything else I knew to do, but eventually ended up back in jail. As soon as I walked through the doors, I was accepted into a fellowship that I did not realize existed. Every person came up to welcome me and make sure I had everything I needed. For the first time, in an awfully long time, I began to feel like I was a part of something great, and that I mattered. In my time at TRC, I learned that I could live a life that is happy, joyous, and free. Most of all, I can look myself in the mirror and love the person I see. I thank God for sending me to TRC, for the staff, and for the brotherhood I am now a part of.”

- Kenneth

01/23/2026

"My name is Jason. Addiction took me to some low places. It took all I had to offer, my pride, self-esteem, my ability to live on my own, and my relationship with my family and kids. During my lowest point I was homeless. It was cold and snow was on the ground, and I was living in an old truck. I was stealing scrap to afford my drinking and drug use. Then, I went to jail. It wasn’t my first time, but I felt so relieved to have food and bed to sleep in for the first time in months.

Then, something happened that changed my situation. The Tony Rice Center got me into the program very quickly, once I decided I needed a change. It was exactly what I needed! I was spiritually bankrupt. The amount of love and joy that is around every corner there is unreal. I learned how to cope with stress of day-to-day life, how to express myself in a productive manner, and most importantly I learned how to love myself again. The Tony Rice Center and the grace of God gave me the structure my life needed. I loved that they didn’t hold my past against me. We focused on being better, forgiving others and forgiving ourselves.

After treatment, it was hard to get a job with my reputation. I jumped at the first opportunity I was given. Starting over wasn’t easy and sometimes included walking to work in the rain and ice, but it made me feel alive, responsible, and like a human being. I got a sponsor and worked all 12 steps. I stayed at TRC’s Recovery Living Home for almost a full year after I got sober. During this time, I got my license back, paid off all debts and restitution. I have now moved out of the Recovery Living Home into an apartment. Once I married the love of my life we purchased a home together, I have a healthy relationship with my family and my children. I have managed to quit ni****ne. My daily routine is to maintain being physically and spiritually fit. I try to give back as much as I can , help those who are willing and ready The Tony Rice Center has opened my eyes to the best life- that I never knew I could live. I am thankful for everything that they & my sister have done for me."

01/22/2026

“Name is David, and I am a drug addict and alcoholic who has been in and out of rehabs and treatment centers nearly my entire adult life. I relapsed in the spring of 2019 after 4 and a half years of complete and meaningful sobriety and spend the next almost 4 years, once again, wandering and stumbling down the same familiar and depressing road that has come so terribly close to killing me time and time again.

By the time the fall of 2023 had arrived, I was so deep in my depression and addiction that I had alienated pretty much everyone in my life that actually loved and cared for me and was on probation in three counties in West Tennessee, in addition to piling up even more charges that posed the very real threat of long-term incarceration. My life had spun out of control and was far beyond a point of unmanageability and squarely in the province of being seemingly irreparable.

And then… In desperation on December 11th of 2023, I arrived at the Tony Rice Center in Shelbyville, TN as a defeated, broken bag of pitiful skin and bones, unsure of the possibility even of simply being able to sober up. It was in these walls that I rediscovered hope. It was the people, staff and clients alike, that renewed my soul and restored my very willingness to live and powerfully reinstated the notion that there is a solution to my dilemma, my disease, provided I am willing to get honest, open-minded, and admit my own powerlessness. In short, the people here rescued me from hell. Thank you, Tony Rice Center. You all saved my life… One day at a time.”

01/22/2026

"August 24th, 2015: So This kid leaves his county jail on the way to a treatment center. He didn’t know what to expect…But he knew he was gonna listen to what they said and [actually] try to do what they asked him to do. On the outside he smirked, cracked jokes and laughed, talked to other inmates and wrote letters to friends as if he’d never known despair. Deep inside was a broken boy.

He didn’t know that ride to treatment was the first step in him becoming a man. When he got there, what he found was a group of amazing people who he could relate to, and who loved him until one day, he finally started loving himself again. He didn’t do it perfect by no means, but he listened; to people very wise and very passionate about recovery.

He simply got tired of losing. Once he admitted he was broken, that’s when God started to use him…We all know God often uses broken people to do big things. Fast Forward Ten Years, that kid that left the county jail, has become a man. He can pass the mirror test. He’s blessed far more than he deserves to be and works alongside with those amazing people who loved him and taught him, getting the chance to welcome in, love and teach the next soul God sends to them.

I’m extremely humbled and grateful for an unconditional love and endless grace that I’ve been shown, and all the amazing people He’s put in my life to support me. I love you guys”

01/21/2026

We recently received some support around the holidays, and while most chose to remain anonymous in their contributions.. we feel it's important to always express gratitude to everyone who thinks of us, and gets involved in the work that we do...

Because of alumni, businesses, or individual support, someone woke up sober today.

Because of support, we were able to do some much needed renovations to our classroom and support staff office.

Because of support, someone had a safe place to laugh, eat, celebrate milestones and talk through hard things.

Because of support, lives are being rebuilt every single day at Tony Rice Center.

Thank you...for standing with recovery. And for standing with TRC.

01/21/2026