Longleaf Recovery and Wellness marked a transformative milestone Thursday with the groundbreaking of Longleaf Lodge, Alabama’s newest state-of-the-art facility poised to redefine substance use treatment in the state and expand access to care.

The new Alabama-rooted facility in Shelby County will accept commercial insurance for residential treatment — an advancement that opens the door to treatment for significantly more people — one of the few licensed non-hospital facilities in the state to do so.

The groundbreaking drew a strong showing of state officials, community leaders, healthcare advocates, and development partners from across the state, reflecting growing momentum to find solutions for Alabama’s addiction crisis.

Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell spoke at the event and underscored Longleaf’s mission in expanding inpatient behavioral health capacity within Alabama.

“For so long in Alabama, people had to face limited options. Longleaf is leading the way with innovation and compassion. As we break ground today, we are also breaking ground on a future with greater access, stronger support, and more hope for individuals and families across the state,” Boswell said.

When Longleaf Lodge officially opens its doors, the facility will offer 60 beds and 10 dedicated medical detox beds, serving patients from initial stabilization through sustained, long-term healing.

The facility is designed to blend clinical excellence with a restorative environment, emphasizing connection, community and the natural landscape as essential components of recovery.

Founder and CEO Colin Harris said Longleaf’s model is built to address the full scope of addiction’s impact.

“We’re building a program that reflects the reality that addiction doesn’t just disrupt biology, it dismantles relationships, careers, and identity,” Harris said. “Treatment has to account for all of that.”