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Kevin Phillips
EVP at Novo
Kevin Phillips serves as the Executive Director at Archway Recovery Services Inc. He has a distinguished background as a senior international executive with extensive experience in building high-growth startups and managing large organizations. His expertise spans various fields, including operations management, business transformation, and technology integration.
Professional Experience
- Current Role: Executive Director at Archway Recovery Services Inc.
- Previous Positions:
- EVP and General Manager at Novo (2022 - Present)
- CFO at RoadSync (2020 - 2022)
- Head of Corporate Development at Kabbage, Inc. (2017 - 2020)
- Various leadership roles at Kabbage, including CFO and Chief Technology Officer (2011 - 2016)
Education
- BA in Political Science from Washington College
- MBA from Georgia State University
Skills and Specialties
- Operations management
- Business transformation
- Process innovation
- Revenue growth
- Capital raising and debt financing
Kevin Phillips is recognized for his ability to lead organizations through significant transitions and for his deep understanding of organizational development and team building.
Highlights
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is more than just a personal struggle—it's a significant public health concern with staggering economic implications. When we factor in the costs associated with tobacco and alcohol use, the numbers become truly overwhelming.
Let's break it down: Tobacco: In 2018, cigarette smoking cost the United States over $600 billion. Alcohol: As of 2010, alcohol use burdened the U.S. healthcare system with $240 billion in costs. Adjusting for inflation, the combined public health cost of tobacco and alcohol use today approaches a staggering $1 trillion annually. To put this in perspective, it costs the average American taxpayer $6,666 each year.
Note: These figures don't include the costs associated with illegal substances, which are harder to quantify but would undoubtedly inflate the total even further.
At ARS, we've recently adopted a holistic approach to substance use treatment. When patients enter our residential treatment facilities, we now support them in quitting smoking alongside addressing their use of other substances. Why this shift in strategy?
The Smoking-Relapse Connection
Beyond the well-known health risks, smoking significantly impacts recovery from other substance use disorders. Up to 75% of adults with SUDs have a history of cigarette smoking. 57% of individuals seeking treatment for alcohol or drugs reported that cigarettes would be harder to quit than their primary problem substance.
This seems obvious, I think, to the casual observer. Many smokers also drink problematically and use substances in a way that undermines their ability to flourish. Here is the kicker:
Smokers have about twice the odds of relapsing to drug use when compared to non-smokers.
When you embrace the challenge of quitting smoking at the same time you give up other substances, you have the opportunity to practice craving-management and stress reduction skills many times a day.
Some treatment programs fear making smoking cessation a core part of their recovery programs. Frankly, many worry that if they have a non-smoking policy, patients will avoid treatment out of not wanting to give up smoking.
We have found that our patients are embracing the challenge with enthusiasm. This does not mean it is easy. (Ask a problem drinker or a meth-addict how easy it is to give up alcohol or meth.) A person in recovery does not do a thing not because it is easy. They do it because despite it being hard, they know it is good.
ARS Staff Perspective One of our counselors (and a clinical supervisor) recently emailed the ARS team. He wrote:
"Good morning to all and happy Friday. I woke up this morning thinking of my life and work and began to think of all the things I am grateful for like: having an awesome place and people to work with, my freedom and happiness. I believe that a person should take time to reflect on the goodness of their lives in order to be refreshed.
"Question of the day: What are you grateful for today? Have a great Friday and know that ALL OF US TOGETHER are making a difference in this world."
Many ARS staff responded to Steve's gratitude question with thoughts of their own. Here are a few of their thoughts:
