Title: Drug and Alcohol Counselor
Company: Alhambra Valley Retreat
Location: Pittsburg, California, United States
Ronnie Palmer, Drug and Alcohol Counselor at Alhambra Valley Retreat, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Counseling.
Currently serving as a drug and alcohol counselor at Alhambra Valley Retreat, a small-community residential recovery center in Martinez, California, since 2009, Mr. Palmer brings nearly two decades of experience to his role at this residential treatment center. He leads relapse prevention groups and teaches classes based on the Four Agreements, principles that are also central to his book “Finishing Stronger.” Additionally, Mr. Palmer conducts tai chi sessions for clients. His approach is informed by his own journey through recovery and a commitment to holistic care.
Before his work at Alhambra Valley Retreat, Mr. Palmer spent over five years as a drug and alcohol counselor at Options Recovery Services in Berkeley, California, beginning in 2010. During his tenure there, he worked extensively with parolees in Oakland, California, and taught smoking cessation classes at Alameda County Jail. Mr. Palmer’s impact at Options Recovery Services is one of his proudest achievements. He has helped thousands of individuals make meaningful changes in their lives. Mr. Palmer’s guidance continues to resonate with former clients who keep in touch through social media to share their ongoing progress.
Mr. Palmer’s career as a drug and alcohol counselor began after completing his internship in 2009. What distinguishes him within the field is his profound personal experience, having spent 40 years immersed in the music industry while simultaneously battling addiction. Notably, Mr. Palmer served as the road manager for the Steve Miller Band starting in 1969 and later managed artists like Boz Scaggs, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Sheila E. and Quincy Jones. Despite functioning professionally during this period, he struggled with substance use until overcoming heroin addiction in 1999 and subsequently addressing alcoholism.
A pivotal moment came in February 2006 when Mr. Palmer found himself hospitalized after years of homelessness on the streets of San Francisco, California. A stranger’s warning prompted him to seek help at San Francisco General Hospital, leading to a 30-day detoxification program and subsequent residence at Golden Gate for seniors over 55. Encouraged to pursue education due to his extensive experience with addiction, Mr. Palmer enrolled in college.
Mr. Palmer holds an Associate of Arts in psychology from Laney College in Oakland. Additionally, he received certification in drug and alcohol addiction from City College of San Francisco, as well as a certification in HIV/STI prevention and education from the institution. These credentials have enabled Mr. Palmer to provide comprehensive support to individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
Throughout his career, Mr. Palmer has received notable recognition for his work. In 2025, he was honored with the International Impact Book Award in the addiction and recovery category for “Finishing Stronger,” published in 2022 after four years of dedicated writing while balancing work and school commitments. Mr. Palmer was subsequently featured as an author on KRON-TV and highlighted by USA Today for his contributions to the field.
Mr. Palmer attributes much of his success to the unwavering support of his wife and daughters. Married since 2012 after meeting through mutual friends abroad, he shares a close bond with his family. His wife is a massage therapist who works alongside him at Alhambra Valley Retreat, while their daughter practices acupuncture at the facility. Meanwhile, their other daughters have advanced degrees. One is a medical doctor, another holds a doctorate in electrical engineering specializing in advanced solar panels, one is an accountant and another is a social worker employed as a counselor at Berkeley High School.
A story defined by transformation through service, Mr. Palmer’s personal history is marked by resilience through adversity. Born prematurely in Fort Worth, Texas, to a young mother, adopted by two parents who struggled with alcoholism, and later navigating challenging circumstances during childhood in Texas, Mr. Palmer found solace in music thanks to his adoptive brother’s influence. After years spent managing prominent musicians around the world, all while contending with addiction, he ultimately chose recovery as a path forward.
Mr. Palmer often reminds clients that perseverance brings positive outcomes: “If you keep doing the right thing, good things will come your way.” By sharing hard-won lessons from both personal experience and professional expertise, he continues to inspire hope for lasting change among those facing similar struggles.
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