About RUY Helpline
A trusted addiction treatment center in Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to guiding individuals and families toward lasting recovery through compassionate, evidence-based care.
Rooted in Memphis, Committed to Recovery
RUY Helpline was founded in 2009 with a singular purpose: to provide the people of Memphis and the greater Tennessee region with a treatment center that treats addiction not as a moral failing, but as a medical condition deserving compassion, expertise, and sustained care. Our founders, a team of physicians and behavioral health professionals, recognized that Shelby County needed a facility that combined clinical rigor with genuine human warmth.
What began as a 12-bed residential program on Scottsway Road has grown into one of Memphis's most comprehensive addiction treatment centers. Today, our campus offers medical detoxification, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programming, and specialized dual diagnosis care. Every expansion has been guided by the same principle that drove our founding: meet each person exactly where they are and walk beside them on the path to recovery.
Over the years, we have served thousands of individuals and families throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. We remain deeply connected to the Memphis community, partnering with local hospitals, courts, and social service agencies to ensure that no one who needs help is turned away.
Why We Do What We Do
Our Mission
To deliver individualized, evidence-based addiction treatment that addresses the physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of recovery, empowering every patient to reclaim a life of purpose, connection, and health.
Our Vision
To be the most trusted name in addiction recovery across the Mid-South, recognized for clinical excellence, patient outcomes, and an unwavering commitment to treating every individual with dignity and respect. We envision a Memphis where stigma no longer prevents people from seeking the help they deserve.
Our Impact in Memphis and Beyond
Evidence-Based, Whole-Person Care
At RUY Helpline, we believe lasting recovery requires treating the whole person, not just the addiction. Our clinical team combines proven therapeutic modalities with holistic wellness practices to address the root causes of substance use disorders.
Treatment Philosophy
Our philosophy is grounded in three pillars: individualization, integration, and empowerment. No two patients share the same history, and no two treatment plans should be identical. From the moment you walk through our doors, our multidisciplinary team conducts a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to build a care plan tailored to your unique needs, goals, and circumstances.
We integrate evidence-based clinical therapies with holistic modalities because research consistently shows that addressing the mind, body, and spirit together produces stronger, more durable outcomes. Our patients are never passive recipients of care. They are active partners in their own recovery.
Our Therapeutic Modalities
Identify and restructure harmful thought patterns that fuel addictive behaviors, building healthier coping mechanisms for long-term sobriety.
Develop emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills critical for managing triggers and preventing relapse.
Build connection and accountability through facilitated group sessions where patients share experiences, gain perspective, and support one another.
One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist to explore personal history, trauma, co-occurring conditions, and individualized recovery goals.
Rebuild trust and communication within family systems through structured sessions that address codependency, boundaries, and collective healing.
Guided integration into 12-step fellowship, helping patients build a sober support network that extends well beyond their time in treatment.
Yoga, meditation, art therapy, mindfulness training, and fitness programming designed to heal the body and calm the mind alongside clinical care.
Continuum of Care
Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation to determine the right level of care for your unique situation.
Medical Detox
Medically supervised withdrawal management ensuring safety, comfort, and clinical stability.
Residential Treatment
Immersive inpatient programming with 24/7 clinical support and structured daily schedules.
Outpatient Programs
Flexible IOP and OP tracks that allow continued treatment while returning to daily responsibilities.
Aftercare & Alumni
Ongoing support, relapse prevention planning, and alumni community to sustain lifelong recovery.
Experienced, Compassionate Leadership
Our leadership team brings decades of combined experience in addiction medicine, behavioral health, and clinical program development. Every member of our staff shares a deep commitment to patient-centered care.
David Richardson
MBA, CADAC IV | 18+ years in behavioral health administration. David oversees all clinical and operational functions, ensuring that every department upholds the highest standards of patient care and ethical practice.
Dr. Sandra Perez, MD
Board-Certified in Addiction Medicine & Internal Medicine | 22+ years of clinical practice. Dr. Perez leads our medical team, directing detox protocols, medication-assisted treatment, and ongoing medical oversight for all patients.
Marcus Thompson, LCSW, LCDC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor | 15+ years in clinical therapy. Marcus designs and supervises all therapeutic programming, trains clinical staff, and ensures evidence-based fidelity across every program track.
Our Staff at a Glance
Our multidisciplinary team includes board-certified physicians, psychiatrists, registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, certified addiction counselors, family therapists, wellness coaches, and dedicated support staff. Every team member undergoes rigorous continuing education to stay current with best practices in addiction treatment and behavioral health.
A Healing Environment Designed for Recovery
Our Memphis campus provides a comfortable, secure, and restorative setting where patients can focus entirely on their recovery. Every detail of our facility has been designed to support the healing process.
Spacious, well-appointed private and semi-private rooms that provide comfort and personal space during treatment.
Nutritious, chef-prepared meals tailored to support physical recovery and overall wellness during treatment.
Fully equipped gym with modern cardio and strength training equipment, supervised by certified wellness coaches.
Dedicated studio for daily yoga classes that promote flexibility, stress relief, and mind-body connection.
Serene outdoor space designed for quiet reflection, guided meditation, and mindfulness practice.
Heated therapeutic pool available for aquatic therapy, recreational swimming, and relaxation.
Social gathering space with games, reading materials, and comfortable seating to foster peer connection.
Creative studio stocked with supplies for painting, drawing, and expressive arts therapy sessions.
Private, welcoming space where families can visit, participate in family therapy, and reconnect with loved ones.
Stories of Recovery from Our Community
The voices of those who have walked the path of recovery at RUY Helpline speak louder than anything we could say. Here are some of their stories.
When I arrived at RUY Helpline, I was broken. I had lost my job, my family was pulling away, and I could not see a way out. The residential program gave me structure when my life had none. The therapists here truly listened and helped me understand why I was drinking, not just that I needed to stop. Eighteen months sober now, and I have rebuilt relationships I thought were gone forever. This place in Memphis saved my life.
I was terrified of detox. I had tried to quit on my own three times and the withdrawals nearly killed me. The medical team at RUY Helpline made me feel safe from the very first hour. Dr. Perez and the nursing staff monitored me around the clock, adjusted my medications when I needed it, and never made me feel judged. After detox, I transitioned into residential and finally started doing the real work. I am hopeful for the first time in years.
As a single mother in Memphis, I could not take weeks away from my kids for inpatient treatment. The intensive outpatient program at RUY Helpline let me get the help I needed while still being there for my children every evening. The evening group sessions became the highlight of my week. The CBT skills I learned have changed the way I handle stress, and the flexibility of the schedule made it actually possible for me to commit to recovery.
For years I was self-medicating severe anxiety and depression with opioids. Other treatment centers treated my addiction but ignored the mental health piece, so I kept relapsing. RUY Helpline was the first place that addressed both at the same time. The dual diagnosis program, the DBT skills groups, the psychiatry team working alongside the addiction counselors, everything was integrated. It was transformative. I finally understand that treating one without the other was never going to work.
Our son was in and out of programs for five years before he came to RUY Helpline. What made the difference was the family therapy component. For the first time, we were included in the process. The clinical team helped us understand our role in his recovery, set healthy boundaries, and heal as a family unit. We are so thankful for the staff at RUY Helpline in Memphis. Our son is two years sober now, and our family is whole again.
Begin Your Recovery Journey Today
Whether you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and guide you through the next steps. Recovery starts with a single call.