NERC Employee Spotlight: Prince Gopea

The New England Recovery Center (NERC) is built on the compassion, dedication, and integrity of the people who show up every day with one mission: to help clients reclaim their lives. Among those inspiring leaders is Prince Gopea, Inpatient Nursing Supervisor for New England Recovery Center and Spectrum Health Systems at the Westborough Campus. With a background shaped by personal observation, global perspective, and deep empathy, Prince brings a steady, grounding presence to clients during one of the most vulnerable moments of their addiction recovery journey.

For Prince, working in addiction treatment is rooted in understanding the true weight addiction places on individuals, families, and entire communities.

A Personal Journey That Sparked a Calling

Prince’s path into addiction recovery began long before he entered the nursing field. Born and raised in Liberia, he witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of addiction in a country torn apart by civil war, where many children were forced into substance misuse.

“I know firsthand how substance use or any type of mental health issue can disrupt a family dynamic,” he said. “Some people don’t think addiction is a disease, but I’ve seen what it does.”

After migrating to the United States, Prince felt called to help underserved communities and began volunteering in homeless shelters. Those early experiences fueled his growing curiosity and compassion, and revealed his natural ability to connect with people facing some of their most challenging moments.

Determined to make a deeper impact, he began working in direct care at the Worcester Recovery Center, supporting individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. When he later became a nurse, he knew exactly where he wanted to focus his career.

“I had dealt with it firsthand. I’d seen how impactful I could be just by talking to clients and having conversations with their families,” he said. “I felt like this could be a really good environment for me.”

His journey to NERC was unexpected but fortuitous, a job opening he stumbled upon while exploring options as a new nurse. The moment he arrived, he knew he had found the right place.

“When I started, I didn’t know what I was getting into,” he said. “But I was blown away by how cohesive the team was. Everyone really cared about the clients. That justified my intuition that this was a good place to work. And I loved it.”

From Nurse to Nursing Supervisor

Prince joined NERC as a staff nurse and progressed to his current position as Inpatient Campus Nursing Supervisor, a role he has held for several years.

Today, he leads and supports the nursing team, manages medication protocols, and acts as a bridge between departments, from clinical staff to recovery specialists. One of his greatest responsibilities is education, as he helps clients and staff understand the medical aspects of detox, withdrawal, and treatment.

“When clients come in for detox, I explain what our protocols are and what medications we have at their disposal,” he said. “Some people want to ‘tough it out’ because they’re afraid of getting addicted again. I help them understand that these medications aren’t addictive. They’re here to help them.”

For many clients, that reassurance is transformative. Prince makes sure nobody suffers unnecessarily and helps people understand that reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Witnessing Transformation in Real Time

For Prince, the most meaningful part of his work is seeing clients change right before his eyes.

“What really excites me is seeing the transformation in real time,” he explained. “You see the real person emerge once they’ve completed detox.”

When a client opens up and shows hope, it fuels Prince’s commitment to the work.

“It gives me comfort to see that I’m able to help someone from the state they were in to where they are now. That’s what makes my job so rewarding.”

A Team Approach That Treats the Whole Person

“What makes NERC special is the way the entire team rallies around every person who walks through the door,” Prince says. “NERC as a whole is a community. Regardless of what state a client is in, there’s always someone willing to help.”

He emphasizes that care at NERC is never limited to the addiction alone. Staff treat clients holistically, while also offering support in areas such as coping skills, communication, and reintegration into the community.

This collaborative approach also extends to staff support. When someone is having a tough day, colleagues step in without judgment and without hesitation.

“The leadership team here has an open-door policy. They listen. They support. That’s one of the greatest things about this job.”

For Those Beginning the Addiction Recovery Journey

Prince offers powerful guidance to anyone considering treatment:

“Help is always available. Asking for help is the biggest thing to do. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

He acknowledges that taking that first step can be uncomfortable, but it’s the foundation for everything that comes after.

To families supporting a loved one, his advice is rooted in patience and perspective:

“It’s not a race. There will be failures and obstacles, but support is very important. Celebrate every accomplishment. Small wins become big wins.”

Leading with Compassion and Purpose

Every day, Prince Gopea helps clients navigate some of the most challenging and transformative moments of their lives. He helps create the compassionate, collaborative, and hopeful environment that makes NERC so special.

At NERC, recovery happens one step at a time. And Prince is there every step of the way, offering guidance, understanding, and unwavering support.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or co-occurring disorders, call the New England Recovery Center today at 1-877-MyRehab.