Bridging the Gaps Joins the 2026 Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction in Washington, D.C.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Bridging the Gaps team will join individuals, families, advocates, healthcare professionals, and community organizations at the Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction at The Wharf in Washington, D.C.
We'll also have a table in the Community Resource Village, where attendees can meet our team and learn about our holistic, trauma-focused approach to addiction treatment and recovery support in Winchester, Virginia.
The walk honors those lost to addiction, celebrates people in recovery, and challenges the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. As a treatment center serving individuals and families across Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, we're proud to support a cause that reflects our daily work.
What Is the Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction?
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit working to address the addiction crisis through education, advocacy, and improvements in addiction treatment.
Its annual walks bring communities together to remember loved ones, celebrate recovery, raise awareness, and support efforts to improve how substance use disorders are understood and treated.
The 2026 Shatterproof Walk in Washington, D.C. will take place at The Wharf, located at 101 District Square SW.
The event schedule includes:
- 8:00 a.m.: Walk site opens
- 9:30 a.m.: Official walk program begins
- 10:00 a.m.: Walk kicks off
The route is accessible and dog-friendly, with a water station available along the way.
Bridging the Gaps will also participate in the Community Resource Village, giving attendees an opportunity to connect with our team, ask questions, and learn about available treatment and recovery resources.
Why We Walk: Breaking Down the Stigma Around Addiction
Millions of Americans need help with substance use disorders, but many never receive treatment.
According to the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, published by SAMHSA, approximately 47.2 million Americans aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment in 2025. Only 16%, or about one in six, received it.
Stigma remains one barrier to seeking care.
Among adults who recognized an unmet need for substance use treatment, the survey found that:
- 41.4% worried about what others might think or say if they sought treatment.
- 34.9% feared consequences if others learned they were receiving treatment, including losing employment, housing, or custody of their children.
These concerns can make an already difficult decision feel overwhelming. Someone may recognize that alcohol or drug use is affecting their life but still hesitate to reach out because they fear judgment or uncertainty about what happens next.
At Bridging the Gaps, we believe substance use disorders deserve compassionate, evidence-based treatment rather than blame or shame.
Events like the Shatterproof Walk create opportunities for honest conversations about addiction and recovery. They remind people that seeking help is a health decision, not a personal failure.
Lauren Winnings of Bridging the Gaps shares why she's participating in the Shatterproof Walk: “I’m participating because addiction should never be something people have to hide or feel ashamed of. We all know someone affected by addiction: a mother, a father, a sister, a child, a friend. This isn’t someone else’s problem; it’s our families, our friends, and our communities. Stigma keeps people silent, and silence can keep people from getting help. I want to be part of changing that. People deserve compassion, not judgment, and the chance to seek recovery without shame.”
For anyone struggling with that first step, we've also outlined common barriers to treatment and what to do when you feel stuck.
Meet Bridging the Gaps at the Community Resource Village
If you're attending the Shatterproof Walk, we invite you to stop by our table in the Community Resource Village.
Our team will be available to discuss our approach to addiction treatment, answer general questions about levels of care, and share information about resources for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
Whether you're supporting a loved one, working in behavioral healthcare, or simply interested in learning more about recovery, we'd welcome the opportunity to connect.
Recovery involves more than stopping alcohol or drug use. It also means developing healthy relationships, finding reliable support, and building connections that can help people navigate challenges after treatment.
Peer relationships, family involvement, and continued community engagement can all contribute to that process.
At Bridging the Gaps, community plays a central role in recovery. Through group therapy, peer support, and shared experiences, clients have opportunities to connect with others who understand the challenges of addiction.
Families are an important part of that support network, too.
Our BTG's alumni outcomes, 71% of alumni reported strong family relationships six months after treatment, compared with 24% at intake. Our family support program also helps loved ones better understand addiction, establish healthier boundaries, and participate in the recovery process.
The Shatterproof Walk reflects this same belief in connection. It brings together people whose experiences with addiction may be very different but who share a commitment to reducing stigma and making recovery support more accessible.
Addiction Treatment and Recovery Support in Virginia
Bridging the Gaps is a CARF-accredited addiction treatment center in Winchester, Virginia, welcoming individuals from across the region, including Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Bridging the Gaps was ranked #1 in Virginia on Newsweek's America's Best Residential Addiction Treatment Centers 2026 list, presented in partnership with Statista. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, individualized addiction treatment.
Our continuum of care includes residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs.
Treatment combines evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing, with complementary services that support physical and emotional well-being. These include nutritional guidance, amino acid therapy, acupuncture, mindfulness practices, and fitness activities.
Our goal is to help each person build the skills, relationships, and stability needed to support recovery beyond treatment.
For people considering care outside the immediate D.C. area, we've also explored why Winchester can provide a change of environment for D.C. and Northern Virginia professionals.
Join Us in Supporting Recovery
We're looking forward to joining Shatterproof, fellow advocates, families, and community organizations at The Wharf on October 17.
Whether you're walking in memory of someone, celebrating your own recovery, supporting a loved one, or working to improve addiction treatment, your participation helps bring greater visibility to an issue affecting millions of families.
If you'll be attending, stop by the Bridging the Gaps table in the Community Resource Village. We'd love to meet you.
You can also register for the Shatterproof Walk or support the Washington, D.C., fundraiser.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, Bridging the Gaps is here to help. Our admissions team is available 24/7 at (540) 535-1111 to answer questions confidentially, discuss treatment options, and verify insurance benefits at no obligation.