Daniel Ritchie

Daniel is one of Cedar Oaks Community Liaisons.  He was a 5-time Mixed Martial Arts Champion who became addicted to opiate pain medication and eventually Heroin/Fentanyl. Traumatic experiences he had as a young teenager set the stage for destructive behaviors. Daniel also experienced additional trauma during active addiction that kept the thought of recovery unattainable. After multiple overdoses and an attempt on his life, Daniel found Recovery on 11/01/2016. In August of 2019, Daniel became the University of Cincinnati Medical Center’s first Peer Recovery Specialist. He worked with over 2,000 patients, utilizing a form a intervention he developed bedside and assisting in creating a level of care specifically tailored for individuals suffering from addiction.

Daniel now shares about his addiction and Recovery openly in hopes that his experience will inspire others to get the help they desperately need and deserve. He is a published writer, co-author, community activist and motivational speaker. He has a 4-year-old daughter and at Cedar Oaks Wellness Center, he continues his mission by helping those in need find treatment.