RRP Episode 84 – A Legacy of Hope: Pete Kerns and Serenity Lane

​How compassion, science, and spirituality come together to transform recovery.

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In this powerful episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter sit down with Pete Kerns, President and CEO of Serenity Lane—Oregon’s respected nonprofit treatment center founded by his father, Dr. Tom Kerns, in 1973.

From his three decades in law enforcement, including nine years as Eugene’s Police Chief, to his leadership at Serenity Lane, Pete’s journey reflects a lifelong dedication to service and healing. Together, the hosts and Pete explore the science of recovery, the importance of family and community, and the hope that drives every step of the recovery journey.

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A Father’s Vision and a Family Legacy
Pete shares the deeply personal story behind Serenity Lane’s beginnings. His father, Dr. Tom Kerns, lost his own father to alcoholism when he was just fifteen. That experience inspired him to dedicate his medical career to helping others recover from addiction. Working alongside counselor Sam Graves, Dr. Kerns opened Serenity Lane in May 1973 in a converted fraternity house near the University of Oregon.

What started as a humble beginning became one of Oregon’s most trusted treatment centers. Today, Serenity Lane’s main campus sits on fifteen peaceful acres in Coburg, where more than 70,000 people have received treatment since the organization’s founding.

“Recovery is absolutely possible. There is hope—and from the moment you walk through our doors, you’re met with compassion, not judgment.” – Pete Kerns

​​Integrating Mental Health and Recovery
Drawing on his background in public safety, Pete observed early on how addiction and mental health are closely connected. Under his leadership, Serenity Lane now offers integrated mental-health services across its outpatient clinics, guided by addiction medicine specialists and clinical psychologists.

“Many people struggle with both,” Pete explains. “We want to make sure they can address both their behavioral health and substance use while in our care.”

This approach reflects a growing understanding that true recovery involves the mind, body, and spirit—and that long-term healing comes from addressing every part of a person’s well-being.

The Science of Healing the Brain
Pete shares one of the most striking lessons from modern neuroscience: addiction literally rewires the brain. Using functional MRI scans, researchers can see how certain neural pathways remain active even decades into recovery.

Yet the hopeful news, Pete says, is that the brain can heal. Practices like meditation, prayer, and service—long central to programs like AA—help rebuild and strengthen the prefrontal cortex, where emotion regulation and self-control reside. “These spiritual and reflective practices actually help the brain recover,” he notes, connecting scientific insight with timeless recovery wisdom.

​A Whole-Person Approach to Treatment
At Serenity Lane, treatment is far more than detox. The program combines medical care, clinical counseling, and wellness activities that nurture both body and spirit. Clients experience a mix of:

• Individual and group therapy sessions
• Trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness programs
• Access to physical fitness facilities and nutrition guidance
• A non-denominational spiritual center for reflection and connection

Each element reinforces the others, creating a supportive environment where clients can rediscover strength, balance, and hope.

Facing Relapse and Building Resilience
Pete acknowledges that recovery is not a straight line. “About 85 percent of relapses happen in the first year after treatment,” he explains. “It takes time for the brain to rewire, and people need continued structure and support during that period.”

Serenity Lane addresses this challenge through extended care, sober-living partnerships, and family education programs that teach loved ones how to support recovery without enabling old habits. “Families must heal together,” Pete emphasizes. “When they learn how addiction affects the brain and relationships, everyone has a chance to recover.”

Hope for Everyone Who Walks Through the Door
Whether someone is seeking treatment for themselves or a loved one, Pete says the message is simple: there is hope.

“Recovery is absolutely possible,” he shares. “From the moment you enter our property, you’re met with compassion—not judgment. The possibility for a healthy, meaningful life is right in front of you.”

Julie and Peter close the conversation by reflecting on the courage it takes to reach out for help—and how stories like Pete’s remind us that recovery isn’t a destination, but a daily practice rooted in honesty, connection, and love.

Links to Websites Discussed

• Serenity Lane
• Phone: 800-543-9905
• Real Recovery Podcast

Listen to the full episode: https://mdcr1.com/84

Read the blog version: https://mdcr1.com/84b

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​#RealRecoveryPodcast #SerenityLane #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #HopeAndHealing #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #RecoveryIsPossible