Winding River Retreat
Summary:
Raise money to restore a large old house in Winchester, NH to convert into Recovery House for Drug Addiction treatment.
We JUST got the green light from the town to open this business here!!!
Summary of Winding River Retreat:
Proposed 470 Keene Rd Winchester NH
Location: This location is on Rte 10 at 470 Keene Rd, the closest neighbor is a race track and KTM dealership. The location is naturally isolated by the Ashuelot river which winds around the back and north side of the property. Wetlands to the South of the property further ensure to isolate it from it’s neighbors. Across from the property is town land.
Phase I
A post detox residential rehabilitation (A Recovery Residence) that will house both men and women over the age of 18. The goal of the program is to provide a safe and insulated environment, away from the world, to give time to heal after a person has been physically addicted to opiods or other addictive substances.
The residents would be brought to the retreat after detoxification by a sober, responsible sponsor, that sponsor would remain at admission until the patient/resident is fully admitted. Upon completion or if anytime the patient/resident requests to leave the program, a sober sponsor would be required to retrieve them upon proper discharge. At no point will patients/residents be allowed to leave the property unless it’s with a staff member for appointments, or an approved sponsor for an approved visit/leave/appointment.
The house has two distinct sections, one would be for women and one for men, the dining room, meeting rooms, common areas and grounds would be co-ed during the day and the residents would go to their prospective areas at designated times overnight, which would be secured and monitored.
Staff will be 24 hours in this facility. Trained and certified Staff by day and trained and certified security Staff overnight.
This will be a non medicated assisted program (no methadone, suboxone etc)
Patients/residents can continue to take their prescribed medicine with a proper prescription and under the direction of their doctor. Personnel who are otherwise not licensed to dispense a clients medicine can direct a client with self-administration after completion of State of NH medication supervision education program, covering both prescription and non prescription medications.
The program will consist of a daily schedule of meals, outdoor and indoor recreation, group therapy and meetings, individual counseling and life planning, along with special classes for cooking, yoga, music etc.
The large barn could house animals for the residents to care for and bond with, along with a workshop that could be used to produce products such as benches, bird houses, art, etc. to sell at the storefront we envision in the shop in the front of the house. These funds can be used to supplement their needs or put into savings to help them start their life upon graduation. A plot of land would be designated for a garden that the residents/patients would tend to and harvest from, this keeps them busy and teaches them new skills and provides fresh produce for optimum health.
The main goal of the program is to give patients/residents time, time to heal in a safe, caring, clean, isolated environment. By including proper nutrition and emotional and spiritual support and guidance we hope to turn stable, healthy and confident people back into society upon graduation of the program which could last from 30-180 days. The goal is to retain the residents 4-6 months to ensure proper healing of their brain and body.
Phase II
To add to the existing retreat, a detoxification unit. A medical Director would be implemented at this phase that would oversee the medical staff and unit. Nurses and medical staff would be 24 hour care. A patient/resident would call to see if any open beds are available. If a bed is available and the person meets the criteria for admission, they would be brought to the unit by a sober, responsible sponsor, that sponsor would remain at admission until the patient/resident is fully admitted. Upon completion or if anytime the patient/resident requests to leave the unit, a sober sponsor would be required to retrieve them upon proper discharge. At no point will patients/residents be allowed to leave the property unless it’s with a staff member for appointments, or an approved sponsor for an approved visit/leave/appointment. Patients in this unit would be in distinctly different area than the post detox residential unit. Co-mingling may occur under supervision under some circumstances (ex: smoking area, dining, etc) but most likely not in the beginning of treatment. Dining times or areas will be offset from residential unit.
Post detoxification, our goal would be to move them to the residential side or help find them a safe and healthy place or rehabilitation to continue their treatment. Or perhaps continued visits for monthly injections for vivatrol or any other future method, medicine or modality discovered that may be used to treat this disease for post residential treatment and continued wellbeing.
Definitions:
“Recovery residence” (RR) is a broad term describing a sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use and associated problems.
Public Policy Statement: Definition of Addiction
Short Definition of Addiction:
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
1,2 VIVITROL is the first and only non-addictive, once-monthly medication that, when combined with counseling, is proven to help prevent relapse to opioid dependence, after detox. VIVITROL blocks opioid receptors in the brain while you work with the psychological aspects of counseling.2,3
Detoxification:
the process of removing toxic substances or qualities.
medical treatment of an alcoholic or drug addict involving abstention from drink or drugs until the bloodstream is free of toxins.
We envision this also as a community outreach with support groups, narcan training, meetings etc.
My Whole Story:
My name is Suzanne Boisvert and my husband of over 30 years is David, we have 2 grown children, Christopher 29, and Katilee 26. Our son has battled addiction for the past 15 years. It started with pot and "partying" as a teen and soon he was trying the Percocet’s that were being passed around and before we knew it, our life turned into a nightmare as our son got deeper and deeper in until he was shooting heroin into his veins and spiraling down the rabbit hole.
We tried everything a set of parents can try. The drama and fear and stress and toll it took on our family is immeasurable. Each time he would allow us to get him into detox or treatment we could take a breath, know he was safe and would live another day.
Then it happened, he overdosed in 2012 just after leaving a program (their tolerance isn't what it was and that's when most addicts od) I arrived at his apartment to find it disheveled and empty. A spoon with residue, needle caps and paraphernalia was on the counter. EMT rescue bags were in trash along with gloves. I feared the worst had finally happened and he was dead, I called the local ER and they wouldn't tell me, they told me to come. I was a wreck. I arrived to find out that he was found with no response, his legs were purple and hanging off his bed indicating he was down a while but, he was given Narcan and was revived but he was in multiple organ failure; liver, kidney, lungs and heart. He had to be put on life support. We were told it could go either way. But he was down so long, that if he recovered, the damage may be too great. He had every kind of tube in his body and to see that, was more than I can describe in words.
The next day they brought in the comfort cart and told me to go home that night and make final arrangements. I went home and hit facebook and our business website Winchester Speedpark, and I begged everyone we knew to please pray for my son. The response was amazing. And when I went back to the hospital in the morning Christopher had turned the corner! The prayers worked! He was on life support for 11 days. He woke and couldn't talk at first but when he was finally able he told me "mom it was the brightest light I've ever seen, my Pepere was there and he told me I had to go back, it wasn't my time"
He had to learn to walk again and got stronger. It was a miracle.
I wish I could say that that was all it took, but it persisted even after this for a time as it's a brain disease and the brain Doctor really helped me understand it. How I understood it, we all produce natural endorphins and have receptor sites in our body and brain, If a person puts outside drugs (any opiod family of drugs ie: percocet, oxycotin, vicoden, heroin, morphine) into their body and brain in high amounts , their brain and body create more receptor sites to accommodate the amount of opiods coming in so if they stop, all of those sites that are used to being satisfied are screaming out, craving. The need is so strong that the body goes into sickness and pain without it (detox) that is why relapse is so high and success so low. We have seen our son detoxing many times, he describes it as his bones are burning and aching and splitting from his cramping muscles, like a horrible flu on steroids, but he can't sleep or eat at all and has headache, vomiting and pain all over. All the while they can't stop thinking of the drug, like a pull so strong and knowing, if I just do the drug all of this will stop, and it does and that's the trap. Yes at first it's a choice then it latches on like a vengence. Once the drug has you in it's clutches, it's hard to get out.
My son did get out. Today Christopher is healthy and clean and strong and working and happy. But Detoxes, Rehabs, Jail, Hospitals and even Death were his and our existence for 15 years. My son is a kind person, a funny person, he is hardworking and has given us 2 beautiful grandchildren that we cherish. We are so blessed he is back, whole. We didn't give up and now it's our turn to give back.
Near our home and business in Winchester, NH there is a 25 room old house that sits on 54 acres with borders the Ashuelot River that would be perfect as a Recovery House. We just were able to get it under contract so that we can restore it and prepare it to house a Co-Ed Therapeutic Community. This state and especially this area is sorely lacking places for people to go and get the time and help they need. I've learned so much about the brain and the needs of the addict that we envision a working farm and workshop and a safe, long term protective environment for people to heal body, mind and spirit. They lose themselves and often their loved ones, their health and confidence and that's what we hope to restore at The Winchester House, where dreams can begin. Dreams of a better life and tomorrow. 
We know this is a big and ambitious project but together it's possible. Please help us reach our goal, this will help so many people and families for years to come! It was so hard to find help for our son when he needed and we want to make it a little easier for the next family that may need help and hope. This is the season of love, and miracles, god bless! The Boisverts
