New Medical Director Appointed at Broward Addiction Recovery Center
The Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Steven Suastegui as the new Medical Director.
Dr. Suastegui has been working with those struggling with substance use disorders since the start of his Internal Medicine residency. During this time, he gained valuable firsthand experience in understanding the complexities of addiction as a chronic disease, intensifying his appreciation for the intricate interplay between mental health therapy, medications, and personalized care plans that empower patients to overcome their addictions and reclaim their lives.
Dr. Suastegui pursued an Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Florida, which allowed him to hone his skills in evidence-based treatments, expand his knowledge of the latest advancements in addiction care, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to provide holistic support for patients. He is well versed in Medication Assisted Treatment procedures and medications, which has become a standard of care that significantly improves patient outcomes, such as survival rates and treatment retention.
Additionally, prior to attending Medical School, Dr. Suastegui was a Firefighter and Paramedic, which provided him with a great deal of experience in emergency medicine. Combining that skill with his residency rotation in the emergency department has given him extensive experience in crisis environments.
As a key leader with BARC, Dr. Suastegui will oversee the quality of medical services, guide clinical staff, implement policies, and ensure that patient care is safe, evidence-based, and effective at both our 50-bed inpatient detoxification unit and 92-bed residential treatment facility. His role will help ensure BARC's continued accreditation status with The Joint Commission and ongoing compliance with regulatory agencies.
Dr. Suastegui is taking over the leadership of BARC from his very formidable predecessor, Dr. Dale Fahie, who was the Medical Director for more than 20 years. Dr. Fahie was profoundly committed to his service to the community. During his extensive tenure, Dr. Fahie led BARC through numerous challenges and opportunities, including:
- Advocating for the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program during the prevalence of prescription medication abuse
- Helping navigate the 2008 financial crisis that led to a significant reduction in workforce, while maintaining a full continuum of care at BARC
- Becoming a sought-after expert in the treatment of Flakka, developing treatment protocols and presenting public speaking engagements to educate the community
- Introducing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services to BARC
- Increasing detoxification beds from 34 to 50 and expanding the MAT program
- Ensuring BARC remained open and that staff and clients remained healthy throughout the COVID pandemic without any major outbreaks
- Assisting in over ten (10) successful Joint Commission re-accreditations
1/12/2026
