Cheatham County Recovery Court to celebrate five new graduates July 13

The Cheatham County Recovery Court will celebrate five more graduates on July 13, marking another milestone for the county's growing program that helps individuals overcome addiction while reducing repeat offenses.

The graduation ceremony is open to the public and recognizes participants who have successfully completed the court's intensive recovery program after being charged with crimes rooted in substance use disorders.

Established in June 2023, the recovery court began as an entirely volunteer-run effort with a goal of serving up to 10 participants during its first year. The program accepted its first participant that summer, and its first four graduates completed the program in December 2024.

Since then, the court has held three graduation ceremonies, with eight participants completing the program. The upcoming ceremony will bring that total to 13 graduates.

Participants are referred to Recovery Court after being charged with addiction-related misdemeanor offenses, such as drug possession or theft. To qualify, individuals must have strong ties to Cheatham County and undergo an assessment showing they are considered "high risk, high need"—meaning they face a high likelihood of continued substance use or relapse without intensive intervention and are unlikely to access treatment on their own.

Those accepted into the program commit to rigorous supervision that includes frequent drug testing, mental health evaluations, inpatient and outpatient treatment, recovery support meetings, obtaining a sponsor, completing Moral Reconation Therapy, maintaining employment and housing and performing community service.

According to Recovery Court officials, the program significantly reduces recidivism. National research cited by the program indicates about 12% of recovery court graduates reoffend, compared with roughly 62% of people released from prison within three years. 

The program has also produced personal milestones for participants. One graduate said Recovery Court helped him achieve sobriety for the first time since he was 13 years old. Among this year's graduates, one recently earned a driver's license for the first time in more than a decade, while another obtained a commercial driver's license. Officials also said two babies have been born to mothers who maintained sobriety during the program.

Initially operated entirely by volunteers, Recovery Court received a five-year, $2 million treatment court grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration beginning in 2025. The funding supports two full-time employees—a director and case manager—as well as part-time peer recovery coaches and clinicians. The program also receives more than $100,000 annually from Tennessee's opioid abatement funds to support salaries.

Recovery Court recently moved into a new office at 165 S. Main St. in Ashland City and continues to expand services for county residents seeking recovery through accountability, treatment and support.

The July 13 graduation ceremony celebrates not only participants completing the program, but also the program's mission of helping individuals rebuild their lives while improving public safety throughout Cheatham County.