Click Here to watch the Part 1 Interview with New Mexico Living
Addiction recovery is never a straight path—it winds through isolation, relapse, hope, and hard-won milestones. For too many New Mexicans, the journey is made harder by lack of access, lack of support, and a system that often forgets the human behind the condition. But there’s a new force changing the landscape of addiction treatment across the state. Renew Health, a telehealth-first clinic making headlines, is leading a movement to reimagine what addiction care looks like—and more importantly, feels like—for those who need it most.
In a powerful KRQE feature, we meet people like Teresa Reyes, a former patient who now serves as an advocate and team member at Renew Health. Her story is more than inspirational—it’s evidence that addiction treatment can be more compassionate, more accessible, and more effective. It’s also a mirror of Renew Health’s mission: to treat people, not just symptoms.
This post will explore why Renew Health addiction care is unlike anything New Mexico has seen before. We’ll dig into the state’s unique addiction crisis, reveal how virtual care is helping eliminate long-standing treatment barriers, and showcase why lived experience and compassion are central to Renew Health’s model. If you or a loved one is looking for help, or if you simply care about the wellbeing of your community, this deep dive into Renew Health’s work could be the turning point you’ve been waiting for.
Addiction in New Mexico: A Crisis That Demands Innovation Addiction has long cast a shadow over New Mexico. The state ranks among the highest in the nation for overdose deaths, particularly from opioids, methamphetamine, and alcohol-related conditions. A 2023 report from the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed that drug overdose remains a leading cause of injury-related death in the state, disproportionately affecting rural communities, Native American populations, and low-income families. Several factors contribute to this persistent crisis. First is geography—many New Mexicans live in remote areas where addiction treatment centers are hours away, if they exist at all. Second is stigma. Despite growing awareness, shame and misunderstanding continue to keep people from reaching out for help. Third is provider scarcity. Even in larger towns and cities, the shortage of trained addiction professionals often means long waitlists and limited support. In other words, the system is stretched thin—and people are falling through the cracks.
That’s the problem Renew Health set out to solve. And they’re doing it not by building bigger hospitals, but by bringing care directly to the people—wherever they are.
Virtual Care, Real Results: Why Telehealth Is a Game Changer Imagine needing help but not being able to get it—not because you don’t want it, but because you don’t have transportation, can’t take time off work, or live two hours from the nearest clinic. For many New Mexicans, that’s daily reality. Renew Health’s telehealth-first model solves that problem head-on. All of their addiction care services—medical assessments, therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), peer support, and care coordination—are delivered virtually. What does that look like in practice? It means a patient can check in with a licensed counselor on their lunch break. It means they can get prescribed and monitored for Suboxone without having to miss a shift. It means they don’t have to walk through a clinic door with fear or shame hanging over them.
But accessibility isn’t just about convenience—it’s about effectiveness. A 2022 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that patients receiving MAT through telehealth were just as likely, if not more, to stick with their treatment plans and avoid relapse compared to those receiving in-person care. Virtual addiction treatment reduces logistical burdens, enhances patient engagement, and lowers the threshold for getting help. Renew Health has built its care model around these truths—and the results speak volumes.
The Myth of “Quick Fix” Treatment—and What Renew Does Instead Many people still think addiction treatment means one thing: medication. And while medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a vital piece of the puzzle—especially for opioid use disorder—it’s nowhere near the whole picture. Renew Health offers MAT, including Suboxone and other FDA-approved medications, but their philosophy goes much deeper. Their treatment plans are grounded in three pillars: medical care, mental health support, and social services. It’s a wraparound model that addresses the full spectrum of factors that influence substance use: trauma, anxiety, housing insecurity, family dynamics, and more. “They don’t just give you Suboxone and say, ‘See you later,’” says Teresa Reyes in the KRQE feature. Instead, patients are paired with clinicians who listen, counselors who dig into root causes, and care coordinators who help with everything from finding stable housing to navigating insurance paperwork.
It’s this holistic framework that turns short-term treatment into long-term recovery. By supporting the whole person, not just managing withdrawal symptoms, Renew Health helps patients build lives they want to stay sober for.
Teresa’s Story: From Rock Bottom to Renewed Purpose Teresa Reyes isn’t just a former patient—she’s a powerful symbol of what recovery can look like when people are met with empathy, not judgment. Her story, shared during the KRQE segment, is gut-wrenching and inspiring. After years of struggling with substance use, Teresa cycled through traditional clinics that left her feeling like a number. “They just rushed me through,” she recalls. “I didn’t feel like anyone actually cared.” Everything changed when she found Renew Health. There, she was met by providers who took the time to listen, advocates who checked in even when she missed an appointment, and therapists who helped her confront the pain behind her addiction. Slowly, she started to rebuild. And then something extraordinary happened—she came full circle. Today, Teresa works at Renew Health as a patient advocate, helping others take their first step toward recovery. She knows firsthand how terrifying and lonely that step can be. But she also knows how life-changing it can become when someone reaches out their hand instead of wagging a finger.
The Heart of the Model: Peer Support and Lived Experience One of the most groundbreaking features of Renew Health addiction care is its investment in peer support specialists—team members who have lived through addiction themselves and are now trained to guide others through it. Research from SAMHSA (2020) shows that peer support plays a crucial role in sustaining long-term recovery. People are more likely to stay in treatment, build trust, and adopt positive coping strategies when they feel understood by someone who’s been in their shoes. At Renew, peer specialists like Teresa aren’t just sidekicks—they’re central figures. They sit in on appointments, help patients navigate crises, and offer the kind of day-to-day wisdom that can’t be taught in a textbook. This isn’t about heroic transformation. It’s about relatable resilience. When patients see someone who’s walked the same path and made it to the other side, it lights a spark of possibility.
Accessibility as a Core Value, Not a Buzzword In healthcare, the word “accessibility” gets thrown around a lot. But at Renew Health, it’s not just marketing—it’s baked into the model. Here’s how: First, there’s speed. Renew Health patients typically get seen within days—not weeks or months. This is critical because motivation to seek help can be fleeting, especially during active substance use. Second, there’s affordability. Renew accepts most insurance plans, including Medicaid, and offers a sliding scale for those paying out of pocket. Third, there’s language access. Services are available in both English and Spanish, recognizing the state’s diverse population. Fourth, there’s flexibility. Evening and weekend appointments are available, and all care is delivered remotely—meaning you can get help without rearranging your entire life.
Each of these access points removes one more excuse, one more barrier, one more delay. Because when someone is ready to recover, every minute matters.
Accountability Without Shame: A Culture of Compassion Many addiction programs take a tough-love approach. They emphasize rigid rules and punishments for non-compliance. While structure is important, this model often backfires—it creates fear, not trust. Renew Health takes a different approach: accountability without shame. Every patient is expected to engage in treatment, show up for appointments, and work toward recovery goals. But if they falter—and many do—they’re met with curiosity, not condemnation. “What happened this week?” a counselor might ask. “How can we support you better?” This philosophy doesn’t mean letting people off the hook. It means recognizing that relapse, missed calls, and rough patches are part of the process. Instead of giving up on patients, Renew doubles down. And that commitment builds the kind of relationship that fuels recovery.
Family Support: Healing More Than One Life at a Time Addiction is a family disease. It strains relationships, breaks trust, and often leaves loved ones feeling helpless or angry. Renew Health understands this, which is why they include family counseling and education in many of their programs. Whether it’s a parent trying to understand their child’s opioid use or a spouse working to rebuild trust, families need guidance, too. By supporting the wider family system, Renew increases the odds of successful recovery. Family members become allies instead of obstacles. And when a person in recovery knows they have a team behind them—at home and at the clinic—their chances of sustained healing go up exponentially.
Cultural Competency and Community Roots New Mexico is a mosaic of cultures, languages, and histories. Any addiction program that hopes to succeed here must understand that nuance. Renew Health’s staff includes bilingual providers and culturally competent counselors who understand the lived realities of the people they serve. This isn’t lip service. It shows up in everything from how they talk to patients, to how they design treatment plans, to how they build partnerships with local organizations. In rural pueblos, immigrant neighborhoods, and underserved communities across the state, Renew Health is showing up—not as outsiders, but as invested allies.
What to Expect When You Reach Out If you’re considering contacting Renew Health, here’s a breakdown of what that looks like: First, you’ll talk to an intake coordinator who listens—really listens—to what you’re going through. There’s no pressure, just clarity. Next, you’ll get matched with a care team: typically a provider, a counselor, and often a peer specialist. They’ll work with you to build a plan tailored to your needs, not just a generic template. From there, your recovery begins. Weekly or biweekly sessions, MAT as appropriate, and consistent check-ins make sure nothing falls through the cracks. And if life throws you a curveball? They adapt. They don’t discharge. They support.
Actionable Takeaways: What You Can Do Today – Call 575-363-HELP. You don’t need to be “ready” or have everything figured out. Just take the first step. – Visit www.renewhealth.com to learn about services, insurance coverage, and what virtual care looks like. – Ask about peer support—you’ll get to connect with someone who’s been where you are. – Download a secure video call app if needed—Renew can help you set it up. – Share this post with someone who needs it. You might be the reason they reach out. Recovery doesn’t start when you’re “perfect.” It starts when you’re willing to ask for help. That moment of willingness? It could be right now.
Conclusion: Why Renew Health Addiction Care Matters Now More Than Ever In a state burdened by addiction, Renew Health is a lifeline. They’re not waiting for people to come to them—they’re reaching out, meeting New Mexicans where they are, and showing what real care looks like. They’ve made addiction treatment more accessible, more compassionate, and more effective. But beyond that, they’ve made it more human. In the stories of people like Teresa Reyes, we see the true impact of their work—not just in data, but in dignity restored. This isn’t just about one clinic. It’s about what’s possible when we believe in people’s capacity to change, and when we build systems that help them do it. Renew Health addiction care isn’t a buzzword. It’s a blueprint—for how to save lives, one human connection at a time.
Renew Health: Your Partner in Addiction Care
Phone: 575‑363‑HELP (4357)
Website: www.renewhealth.com
