Meet Eric Spagenski, Common Ground’s Clinical and Treatment Director

At Common Ground, our mission is to meet you where you are – no matter what. In order to accomplish this vision, it means we need dedicated, caring and competent staff. We’re grateful to have Eric Spagenski at the helm of our clinical treatment services to help us to do just that.

Eric has been with the Common Ground team since 2011, first as an intern mentored by our first founders, Dave and Jeanne Miller, as well as Sherry Hanson, who all have decades of experience in the field of Alcohol & Drug Counseling.

Eric received his Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Winona State University and recently completed his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University Graduate Program in Clinical Social Work.  Eric is both a mental health practitioner and chemical dependency counselor, holding his Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) and Alcohol & Drug Counselor - Clinical Supervisor (LADC-CS) degree from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.

Eric was born and raised in Blaine, MN, but grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and later, San Diego, CA. Before going into the field of Alcohol & Drug Counseling, Eric served in the United States Air Force where he provided the United States Army with ‘close air support’ coordinating air-to-ground airstrikes in support of front-line troops. 

We interviewed Eric to learn more about his passion for the field and how he helps others find a new life in recovery:

Why are you passionate about the field of alcohol and drug counseling?

“My passion comes from having been raised in a family where several paternal and maternal family members were negatively impacted by the horrors of substance abuse. Additionally, as a twelve-year-old I lost my mother to a suicide directly related to co-occurring mental health disorder.  My own journey as a person in long-term recovery has permitted myself to have the honor and pleasure to provide services as a Social Worker and Addiction Professional.”

What’s your favorite thing about Common Ground?

“To ask me one favorite thing about Common Ground is difficult to answer as there are so many qualities Common Ground has as an organization. I choose to highlight the AMAZING attributes that our counselors have. I firmly believe that they are some of the best that the field has to offer. They foster a warm, welcoming, and client-centered focus free of judgment. So our tag-line ‘Meeting you where you are’ is a seemingly effortless stance to operate from.”

What advice would you give to someone struggling with addiction today?

“Allow professionals & positive supportive relationships into your life, and hang on for an astonishing journey into recovery, where all of your dreams will come true.”

What are your hobbies?

“First and foremost my hobby is my 3 ½ year old son, Landon. He is the highlight of my life, along with my eleven year old step-son Cash and his mother Maria. They fill my life with so much joy.”

Favorite words of wisdom?

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” -Mahatma Gandhi

Common Ground provides addiction treatment in Rochester, MN. If you or someone you know is in need of treatment services in Rochester, Winona, or Red Wing, MN, please contact us today.