Kathryn Burgum, the wife of U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, has been appointed as a senior White House adviser and co-chair of the Great American Recovery Initiative, a federal effort launched by President Donald Trump to address addiction and substance use disorder across the United States.

Her appointment was announced at a White House ceremony where the president signed an executive order establishing the initiative, placing a spotlight on coordinated national strategies for prevention, treatment and long-term support.

At the event, Trump described the initiative as a broad, interagency response to the nation’s addiction challenges, bringing together federal departments, state and local partners, healthcare providers and community organisations to expand access to services.

Burgum will serve alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in guiding these efforts and advising federal agencies on directing grants and integrating prevention and recovery programmes.

Her role reflects both her personal journey and her long-standing advocacy for addiction recovery.

Burgum has publicly shared her experience with alcohol addiction, noting that she struggled for many years before achieving long-term sobriety.

Her candid account of recovery underscored her commitment to reducing stigma around substance use disorder and supporting others in finding treatment and hope.

During her remarks at the signing ceremony, she emphasised the importance of aligning prevention, intervention and recovery services to help individuals and families affected by addiction.

The Great American Recovery Initiative aims to reshape the federal response to addiction by promoting evidence-based care, community engagement and long-term resilience.

By appointing Burgum to a leadership role in the programme, the administration highlighted the value of lived experience and personal insight in shaping national policy and strengthening support frameworks for millions of Americans.