AARS Breaks Ground on $12 Million, 26-Bed Treatment Expansion Project
Contributed by DJ Stewart, Director of Marketing, Development & Communications
On March 21, 2025, Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (AARS) broke ground on a $12 million, 26-bed expansion project.
AARS has been at the forefront of providing high-quality, clinically managed residential treatment to Alaskan adults suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) for over 42 years. AARS is one of the state’s longest-running treatment programs, receiving an average of 273 statewide referrals per year for level 3.5 and 3.1 treatment and treating approximately 40 residential clients annually. However, as alcoholism and addiction in Alaska increase, so
does the organization’s waiting list.
The Matsu Valley has only 65 treatment beds and 450 across the state. The AARS Board of Directors and Executive Director, Bryan Brandenburg, have been working hard with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, State Representative McCabe, State Representative Johnson, Governor Dunleavy, and Lt. Governor Dahlstrom to address the lack of treatment beds that affects so many Alaska residents. Their contributions helped us secure funding to expand AARS.
The Matsu Health Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, Murdock Charitable Trust, and Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority have all contributed significantly to the comple- tion of this project.
AARS has partnered with H5 Construction and Jerad Hacker, who were chosen by the AARS Board of Directors to build the expansion.
“We hope they see the value of what we’re doing,” Brandenburg said. “Senator Murkowski recognizes that the more we do as a community to combat SUD, the better the future will be for Alaska. We are sincerely grateful for her vision and support!”
AARS is a mission-driven organization with a unique work therapy focus. The founding principle of “Growing Sober” embodies the fundamental philosophy of the organization. Seventy percent of clients who complete the program maintain sobriety. For more information on AARS and its treatment services, visit aarsrecovery.org, or contact DJ Stewart at 907-376-4534.