David Burke LAADC-CA / ICADC is an addiction recovery industry consultant, behavioral health advocate, and recovery program development leader with more than 20 years of experience in the addiction recovery field.
Throughout his career, David has worked to strengthen recovery organizations, expand access to care, and support the development of treatment models that address the complex realities faced by individuals, families, veterans, first responders, and communities affected by substance use, trauma, and mental health challenges.
David is the Founder of New Start Recovery Solutions and Aspen Intervention Wellness Center, and he is a Partner at Sierra Health + Wellness. His work combines long-term industry experience, community engagement, program development, and a deep commitment to helping people find meaningful pathways to recovery.
Strengthening Addiction Recovery Systems Across California and Beyond
David Burke’s work centers on helping recovery organizations build stronger, more responsive systems of care. He advises recovery-focused organizations on program strategy, treatment development, community outreach, operational growth, and long-term sustainability.
His professional focus includes:
- ▪ Addiction recovery program development
- ▪ Behavioral health and mental health treatment strategy
- ▪ Dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorder care
- ▪ Veteran PTSD and trauma-informed treatment models
- ▪ Community recovery resources
- ▪ Organizational growth in the behavioral health field
- ▪ Recovery advocacy and public education
David’s work reflects a belief that effective recovery care must be comprehensive, compassionate, evidence-informed, and built around the real needs of the people being served.
A Major Focus: Veteran PTSD, Trauma, and Co-Occurring Disorders
In recent years, a major focus of David Burke’s work has been the creation and advancement of specialized treatment programs for veterans facing PTSD, trauma, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Veterans often face complex challenges when transitioning from military service to civilian life. These challenges may include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance use, isolation, unresolved trauma, and difficulty accessing care that fully understands military culture and veteran experience.
David has been deeply involved in supporting treatment approaches that recognize these realities and respond with specialized, trauma-informed care.
This work has become a defining part of David’s recent professional mission: helping ensure that veterans receive care that is not generic, fragmented, or disconnected from their lived experience — but instead is coordinated, respectful, clinically appropriate, and built around long-term healing.
Leadership in the Veteran Trauma-informed Care Model
David Burke has led the project for the formation of the trauma-informed veteran care model currently in use by Sierra Health + Wellness.
This model was developed to support veterans dealing with PTSD, trauma, substance use disorders, mental health concerns, and co-occurring disorders. It reflects the need for specialized care that integrates addiction recovery, mental health treatment, trauma support, and continuity across different levels of care.
Sierra Health + Wellness provides a continuum of care for veterans and first responders. Trauma-informed care at Sierra Health + Wellness includes assessment, medical detox, Medication-Assisted Treatment, residential dual diagnosis treatment, outpatient IOP and PHP care, primary mental health services, sober living, alumni support, and family support.
The veteran care model emphasizes:
- ▪ Trauma-informed treatment
- ▪ Integrated dual diagnosis care
- ▪ PTSD and trauma recovery support
- ▪ Mental health stabilization
- ▪ Substance use disorder treatment
- ▪ Holistic recovery services
- ▪ Continuity between levels of care
- ▪ Peer connection and alumni support
- ▪ Respect for the veteran experience
Through this work, David has helped shape a care framework that recognizes the full person, not just the diagnosis. The goal is to support sustainable recovery, emotional healing, improved functioning, and renewed hope for veterans and their families.
Supporting Veterans Through a Complete Continuum of Care
David Burke’s veteran recovery work is closely connected to the belief that treatment should not occur in disconnected stages. Veterans often need a coordinated path that can begin with stabilization and move through residential care, outpatient support, sober living, alumni connection, and long-term recovery resources.
The Sierra Health + Wellness veteran recovery model is built around this continuum of care approach. Veterans may need treatment for PTSD, substance use, depression, anxiety, trauma, or dual diagnosis concerns at the same time. Addressing these issues together helps reduce the risk of fragmented care and supports better long-term outcomes.
David has written extensively (see News) about the importance of veteran-centered treatment, including the need to honor service not only with words, but with meaningful access to specialized recovery and mental health resources.
In his Military Appreciation Month and Northern California Veteran Recovery 2025 articles, David highlights the importance of supporting veterans with PTSD, trauma, dual diagnosis care, and a full continuum of treatment services.
Trauma-Informed Care for Veterans and First Responders
Veterans and first responders often carry trauma in ways that are not immediately visible. Effective care must recognize that trauma can affect the nervous system, relationships, emotional regulation, substance use, trust, sleep, identity, and the ability to feel safe.
A trauma-informed veteran care model does not ask, “What is wrong with this person?” Instead, it asks, “What has this person experienced, and what kind of care will help them heal?”
David Burke’s work in this area supports treatment environments that are respectful, structured, clinically sound, and sensitive to the unique experiences of veterans. This includes care for PTSD, combat trauma, moral injury, substance use, depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring concerns.
The goal is not only symptom reduction. The goal is recovery that restores stability, dignity, purpose, connection, and quality of life.
Advocate for Addiction Recovery and Mental Health Awareness
David Burke is a dedicated advocate for substance abuse awareness, recovery education, and expanded access to treatment. His work includes public education, writing, podcasting, program leadership, and collaboration with organizations working to improve behavioral health care.
Through his articles, speaking and charity work, and media (see Hope, Healing, and Wellness Podcast), David helps communicate complex recovery issues in language that families, communities, and professionals can understand. His focus includes addiction treatment, mental health, veteran recovery, PTSD, dual diagnosis care, mindfulness, relapse prevention, and the importance of long-term recovery support.
David’s work is grounded in the understanding that recovery is not a single event. It is an ongoing process that often requires treatment, accountability, compassion, family support, peer connection, and continued care over time.
Projects and Professional Affiliations
David Burke has contributed to the development and growth of multiple recovery-focused organizations and initiatives.
David Burke
Projects |
A Continuing Mission of Service
David Burke’s work is rooted in service. Including service to individuals in recovery, service to families in crisis, service to treatment organizations, and service to veterans who deserve the highest standard of care.
His recent focus on veteran PTSD, trauma, and co-occurring disorder treatment reflects a larger commitment: to help build recovery systems that are more humane, more specialized, and more effective.
For veterans, first responders, individuals, and families facing addiction or mental health challenges, David’s work continues to emphasize one central message:
Recovery is possible. Healing is possible. And the right care can change the direction of a life.
Contact David Burke LAADC-CA / ICADC
David Burke LAADC-CA / ICADC
Addiction Recovery Consultant and Advocate
Website: https://davidbburke.com
Call: 888-628-0644
For questions about addiction recovery, veteran treatment resources, PTSD and trauma-informed care, or behavioral health program development, contact David Burke for a confidential consultation.