Connecting Bridges provides structured treatment, education, clinical guidance, and peer support, helping individuals connect recovery with real-life change.
Founder & Executive Director · NC DWI Provider · DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Provider
Shantina Hinton is the Founder and Executive Director of Connecting Bridges, LLC. She is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) specializing in the treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health needs. She is also a Certified Clinical Supervisor Intern (CCS-I), Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), and Certified Life Coach (CLC).
Shantina is an approved North Carolina DWI Provider, providing DWI assessments as well as required education and intervention services. She also serves as a DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Provider, conducting SAP evaluations for CDL drivers and other DOT-regulated employees who have violated federal drug and alcohol testing requirements.
Her clinical approach incorporates psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral strategies, relapse prevention, coping-skills development, accountability, and practical interventions designed to help individuals understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, mental health, environment, and substance use.
Shantina’s education combines business administration, human services, counseling, and specialized graduate-level education in addiction counseling.
Her education, professional credentials, and direct clinical experience provide the foundation for her work in substance use assessment, treatment, DWI services, recovery support, and co-occurring mental health services.
Monday–Friday · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
SACOT is the primary clinical treatment program at Connecting Bridges, LLC. The program provides structured, intensive substance use treatment for adults who need a significant level of support while continuing to live in the community. Connecting Bridges also addresses co-occurring mental health needs, recognizing that substance use, emotional health, relationships, environment, and daily functioning are often interconnected.
SACOT sessions include psychoeducation, therapeutic interventions, cognitive behavioral strategies, relapse prevention, coping-skills development, group discussion, structured activities, recovery education, and practical life-skills development.
Clients work on identifying triggers and early warning signs, understanding patterns of addiction, challenging unhealthy thinking, managing cravings and emotions, improving communication and boundaries, developing healthier coping strategies, strengthening decision-making, and creating realistic plans for maintaining recovery.
The goal is not simply abstinence. Treatment focuses on helping individuals develop the knowledge, skills, accountability, stability, and support necessary to make meaningful changes in everyday life.
DWI Education & Intervention Sessions: Saturdays · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Connecting Bridges, LLC is an approved North Carolina DWI Provider offering DWI assessments, education, and intervention services.
Saturday DWI sessions are structured four-hour sessions designed to help participants understand both the consequences of impaired driving and the behaviors that contribute to continued risk.
Sessions incorporate alcohol and drug education, North Carolina DWI laws and consequences, substance use patterns, stages of change, cognitive distortions, decision-making, triggers, coping skills, relapse prevention, accountability, risk recognition, and strategies for preventing future impaired-driving behavior.
Psychoeducation, CBT-based interventions, group discussion, activities, worksheets, and relevant educational or recovery-focused media are used to help participants connect the information to their own choices and circumstances.
DWI assessments are by appointment only. Please call before coming to the office. Following the assessment, the appropriate education or treatment recommendation is determined based on the individual’s assessment findings and applicable requirements.
Shantina provides DOT SAP evaluations for CDL drivers and other DOT-regulated employees who have violated federal drug and alcohol testing requirements, including drivers who have received a positive DOT drug or alcohol test.
SAP services include the initial evaluation, recommendations for required education and/or treatment, confirmation that recommendations have been completed, and the required follow-up evaluation as part of the DOT return-to-duty process.
This service is designed to help drivers understand what they are required to complete following a DOT drug or alcohol violation and how to properly proceed through the SAP process.
Shantina also serves on the Randolph Community College Human Services Board of Education, contributing her experience in substance use and behavioral health services. She serves on the board of Favor From Him, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness and other hardships with essential needs, including housing, food, clothing, and connections to community resources.
Her work at Connecting Bridges and within the community reflects one central purpose: helping individuals connect treatment, education, recovery resources, and practical support with the opportunity to build a more stable future.
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Jesse Hinton serves as a Certified Peer Support Specialist with Connecting Bridges, LLC. He provides practical, recovery-focused support that helps clients carry the skills learned in treatment into everyday life.
Jesse assists individuals with recovery goals, community resources, healthy routines, budgeting, appointments and responsibilities, socialization, life skills, problem-solving, and overcoming barriers that can interfere with stability and recovery.
Peer Support complements clinical treatment by helping individuals turn treatment goals into practical action. Jesse’s approach emphasizes encouragement, accountability, independence, and helping individuals recognize and build upon their own strengths.
Connecting Bridges, LLC provides structured treatment, education, clinical guidance, and peer support, helping individuals connect recovery with real-life change.
MA — Master’s degree (Addiction Counseling). LCAS — Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, North Carolina’s clinical license for substance use disorder treatment. CADC — Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. CCS-I — Certified Clinical Supervisor Intern. CPSS — Certified Peer Support Specialist, someone trained to support others in recovery. CLC — Certified Life Coach.