Derrick DeBuhr

Derrick serves as Untethered Recovery's IT Administrator, helping ensure the technology, systems, and infrastructure that support both staff and clients run smoothly. He is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering with minors in Computer Science and Mathematics.

Derrick's journey into recovery has played a significant role in shaping who he is today. Having maintained sobriety since January 12, 2018, he understands the importance of connection, service, and giving back. Recovery opened the door to new opportunities in his own life and inspired him to use his skills to support others on their journeys as well.

What Derrick enjoys most about his role is the opportunity to help people. Whether he's troubleshooting technology, setting up accounts, organizing data, improving systems, or ensuring a recovery house has reliable Wi-Fi, he takes pride in solving problems and making life a little easier for the people around him. He genuinely enjoys being the person others can count on when something needs to be built, fixed, or improved.

His personal philosophy is rooted in acceptance and resilience. Derrick believes in practicing radical acceptance—facing challenges honestly rather than avoiding them. He encourages people to work through difficult situations instead of fighting reality, believing that growth comes from learning how to navigate life's obstacles rather than wishing they were different.

Outside of work, Derrick is an avid rock climber and enjoys a wide variety of electronics and engineering projects. He loves creating things, whether it's building a useful gadget, solving a technical problem, or bringing a new idea to life. If something sounds interesting, useful, or fun to make, chances are Derrick has already started figuring out how to build it.

One of the sayings that has stayed with him comes from his late sponsor, who often quoted Bruce Lee: "Be water, my friend." To Derrick, those words are a reminder to remain adaptable, keep moving forward, and find a way through whatever challenges life presents.

Derrick believes recovery, growth, and success are all built one day at a time. Through both his technical expertise and his lived experience, he is proud to support the mission of helping people build healthier, more meaningful lives.