James F Davis, CAS, Board Certified Interventionist
CEO, Executive Director

Jim’s underlying belief is summed up in our name – Recovery First. What this means is that no matter what is going on in an alcoholic or an addict’s life – family problems, employment problems, legal problems or health problems – you absolutely must put Recovery from addiction First or you won’t have a chance of solving any of those problems. Jim is famous for telling it like it is because he knows that this disease is deadly; that the inevitable end for those who do not get help is a jail cell, a room in a mental institution, homelessness or death.

He has over 30 years in Recovery himself, so he knows what he is talking about. He has been in the Addiction Treatment field professionally for 15 years. He is one of the best interventionists in the country. When he does a group lecture, clients will laugh, cry and cheer because they get it; that he knows how they feel and what they are going through, and that he cares about them and their recovery.

He is an absolute fanatic about providing the best substance abuse treatment in the country, and his staff delivers exactly that.

Jim’s son Larry is in the U.S. Army currently serving in Iraq. He has been riding Harley Davidson motorcycles since the early ‘70’s and collects 1956-57 Chevrolets.

Eric Oakes, LCSW,CAP
Clinical Director

Eric has “a profound belief that purpose and meaning is only found in service to others.” A series of life events and experiences made getting into the Substance Abuse Treatment Field the “only logical and inevitable choice.” He is the quintessential clinical director, having a unique blend of empathy and intelligence when dealing with people. Because of this unique gift of being able to blend feelings with rational thought his communication with others is clear, concise and complete.

Eric has been in the treatment field for over 25 years. He has had a wide range of experience managing residential and outpatient settings for adolescents and adults.

He enjoys music, cooking, reading, and spending time with his wife and kids.

Debbie Davis
Chief Financial Officer

Debbie (yes, married to Jim) joined Recovery First in 2008 after retiring from a 23 year career in Banking. She brings a wealth of financial know-how to the team. She is actually the person responsible for naming the company. The story is that as she was driving home from a funeral in April of 2002, she was thinking about how much she loved recovery and that as long as “we put recovery first, everything will be ok.” It was one of those a-ha moments; she called Jim and he agreed – Recovery First really does say it all.

She is known as the company cheerleader because of her positive attitude and love of recovery. In her off time, when she’s not worrying about her son in Iraq, she reads and hangs out with her 4 cats – Baby, Sweetie Pie, Spunkie, and Tuxedo.