Our Japanese gardens aren't the only thing blooming this summer; our women's recovery program has been growing and blossoming as well.  

We now offer weekly case management for all of our residents. We have also added a number of new program features including community meals,  professional cooking instruction and meal planning, onsite Reiki healing sessions, guided meditation and reflective practices, yoga, and financial counseling and budgeting classes with Carolyn Wood at OnTrack WNC.

Be sure to read our upcoming August newsletter for more in-depth features on these program enhancements.

You can also learn more by clicking on our Clean Living program overview or by contacting Susan at 828-350-9960 or susan@nextsteprecovery.com.  

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapse rates for alcohol and drug addiction within one year of treatment average between 40 and 60 percent, as cited in their 2010 report "The Science of Addiction." This relapse rate is similar to the rates for other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

So, how do we define success in recovery if, as NIDA states, "the chronic nature of the disease means that relapsing to drug abuse is not only possible, but likely"?

At Next Step Recovery, we use many measures to track our residents' progress. Our numbers are consistently better than national averages.

More than 62% of our male residents stay in our transitional living program at least 6 months. The average length of stay in our women's intensive program is just over 3 months and nearly 44% are still sober one year later.

Our structured program helps residents build a strong foundation for a lasting recovery. But we know that relapse is always a possibility, which is why we teach our residents relapse prevention strategies, healthy coping mechanisms, and life skills - so that if or when they do relapse, they have the skills to get back up and on their recovery path sooner.

Each day in recovery is a miracle, one that reflects a lot of hard work and courage. Each time someone stands back up, no matter how many times they fall down, is a gift. 

Ultimately, this is how we measure success. One person, one day at a time. Not only while residents are in our program, but long after as well. Recovery is a lifelong process, and we are in it for life.

In serving each other, we become free.  - King Arthur to Lancelot

As summer heats up, residents in our men's program have been enjoying some very cool outdoor adventures including whitewater rafting, mountain climbing and repelling, and tubing on spectacular Fontana Lake.

We are blessed to be able to offer these sober adventures in an area recognized by Outdoor Magazine as one the the top 10 places in the United States for outdoor recreation.