We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joey Bachrach. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joey below.

Joey , appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

My name is Joey Bachrach, Co-Founder and CEO of Rainbow Hill Sober Living and Rainbow Hill Recovery. To describe the defining moment in my professional career, we have to go back to a time before Rainbow Hill was even an idea. Both my husband, Andrew Fox, and I are in recovery ourselves. I’ve been very transparent about my struggles with alcoholism. The defining moment was realizing and accepting that I am someone who does not want to drink my life away. You know when you have that inner monologue telling you that you were put on this planet to do something extraordinary, but you don’t quite know what that special something is? For us, our passion found us in the work we’re doing in the mental health and addiction field.

It’s not like we were 13 and told our friends or parents, “I want to work in this space” when asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. There was a dark history for me that led to where I am today, a history I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Due to our paths, we founded Rainbow Hill Sober Living in 2021. The house quickly became a safe haven for members of the LGBTQ community, providing much-needed support and understanding. From the success of Rainbow Hill Sober Living, we were able to open our treatment center, Rainbow Hill Recovery, last summer. This expansion allowed us to provide essential resources and services to LGBTQ individuals seeking mental health support and substance use disorder treatment.

The lesson I’ve learned along the way is that there are always two sides to the same coin. You can either sit and wallow in the darkness or try to find the light, accepting the things you cannot change and turning them into light. In our case, the spark that lit has become a torch, leading the next generation of LGBTQ recovery leaders. By sharing our experiences, we can help others who may be in the same position we once were, and inspire future leaders to carry the torch forward.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Alongside my husband, Andrew Fox, we ventured into the mental health and addiction field from a deeply personal place—we are both in recovery ourselves. Our journey started with our own struggles and experiences with addiction, which fueled our passion for helping others in similar situations. This led us to create Rainbow Hill Sober Living in 2021, a safe and supportive environment specifically for members of the LGBTQ community.

At Rainbow Hill Sober Living, we provide an LGBTQ specific sober living option that is culturally competent and affirming. We offer a structured and nurturing space for individuals in recovery. Our success in creating a haven for LGBTQ individuals in recovery inspired us to expand our services with the opening of Rainbow Hill Recovery last summer. Our treatment center offers comprehensive mental health services and substance use disorder treatment, tailored to the unique needs of the LGBTQ community. Our programs include individual and group therapy, educational workshops, and a range of support services designed to foster long-term recovery and well-being.

What sets us apart is our deep understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in recovery. We provide a safe, affirming space where people can be themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. Our services are not just about recovery from addiction; they are about holistic healing, including mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

I’m most proud of the impact we’ve made on the lives of our clients. Seeing individuals regain control of their lives, embrace their identities, and thrive is incredibly rewarding. We aim to be more than just a service provider; we strive to be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change in the LGBTQ community.

For those who may be considering our services or following our work, know that we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care. We understand the complexities of addiction and mental health, especially within the LGBTQ context, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our mission is to empower our clients to live fulfilling, authentic lives, free from the burdens of addiction and mental health struggles.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would choose the same profession without hesitation—100%. The journey into the behavioral health and addiction field has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others, particularly within the LGBTQ community. The work we do at Rainbow Hill Sober Living and Rainbow Hill Recovery is not just a profession; it’s a calling that has allowed me to turn my own experiences into a source of hope and support for others.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, I believe the most helpful factor for succeeding in this field is staying true to who you are at your core. Our mission has never wavered, and we remain the same people we were when we started. We’ve always been transparent about who we are, and that authenticity has been a cornerstone of our success. It’s important to remember that doing it right may take longer, but it allows you to sleep each night with a smile on your face and a clear conscience. For me, it’s about keeping my side of the road clean and staying committed to our values and mission. This authenticity and integrity have helped us build trust with our clients and community, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rainbowhillrecovery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowhillrecovery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowhillrecovery/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainbow-hill-recovery/
• Twitter: https://x.com/RainbowHill_CA
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RainbowHillRecovery

Image Credits

Ziv Sade

Morris Wentworth