Donald McDonald is a person thriving in recovery from severe mental and substance use disorders. Previously, Donald served as the National Field Director of Faces & Voices of Recovery, the Executive Director of Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, and the Director of Advocacy & Education at Recovery Communities of North Carolina. His current role is Technical Expert Lead at JBS International, where he provides training and technical assistance to HRSA-funded rural consortia across the country as they build capacity in response to the overdose crisis.
Donald is a veteran, husband, father, grandfather, social worker, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and Recovery Coach Professional. He holds a Bachelor of Education from NC State University and a Master of Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill. Donald is a proud recipient of the NCADD Bronze Key Award and the North Carolina Dogwood Award. For fun, he is the producer and host of a freedom from addiction podcast, No Thanks But Yes, which features chill conversations with splendid people who’ve overcome chaotic substance relationships via many pathways.
Area of Expertise
Donald brings lived experience with his sustained recovery from both severe mental and substance use disorders, and he is also a licensed clinician who has provided services for both. However, his deepest dives are in recovery support services, peer support, recovery community organizations, community organizing, addressing stigma, and policy advocacy.