The Basics
Riverbank House, a recovery community for men, was founded by Randy Barlett in 2012. Located in Laconia, New Hampshire, this program offers holistic, long-term sober living care with an emphasis on the 12 steps. Using a phase system, clients are slowly guided back into everyday life with ample support.
Accommodations and Amenities
There are two fully stocked yoga rooms with mats, which is a daily activity at the facility. Access to kayak equipment, a fire pit and a house Xbox are also readily available. The exercise room with weights and machines is open to residents if they don’t feel like attending outdoor activities.
A major part of Riverbank’s program is their Solo No More activities program, designed to provide clients with a sense of family and togetherness while at the facility. These activities may include writing workshops, music lessons, barbecues, beach trips, skiing trips and community service.
Food is included in the program fees and clients may make special dietary requests during their stays. Three healthy meals per day are served on-site and include favorites such as pasta, sandwiches, fried chicken and salads.
Rules and Regulations
The program starts with a five week clinical Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Most major insurance is accepted. The treatment is based on a four-part phase system with an expectation that clients stay in the program for at least five months (though many stay longer, sometimes as long as a year). The program is based on spiritual practices along with recovery education.
During the first phase of treatment, daily 12-step meetings are required. This first phase usually lasts about 30 days, which gives the client a chance to get used to the routine of the house. Though each day varies with meeting schedules, it is typical for residents to start the day with a morning mediation and yoga, followed by breakfast and an AA meeting. A house meeting and lunch are next, followed by an afternoon filled with recreational activities like working out, going on a hike or biking. Step work and journaling are assigned to each client, and in the evening are process groups which may include relapse prevention classes, meeting with a counselor one-on-one, goal setting and execution plans. The day concludes with free time and lights out at 11:00 pm. Phase one also includes working through the steps one through three and being introduced to the Solo No More program.
The second and third phases delve deeper into the 12-step process, and also require clients to get a sponsor. Continuing to work the steps while monitoring oneself are important elements of going through the phase system.
There is an emphasis at Riverbank on the importance of long term care, hence the facility’s desire for residents to continue with treatment for as long as they can. Studies have shown that attending a short term treatment of 28 days can impact the longevity of a client’s sobriety.
If a resident is in need of mental health services, access to a behavioral health facility and transportation can be provided. There is always a house manager on-site that can assist with these questions. If clients come to the facility without cars of their own, transportation is provided to appointments, daily off-site 12-step meetings and recreational activities.
Extras
Riverbank has a house dog named Kona who assists clients during the recovery process by offering endless puppy love. Family visitation and participation in each client’s recovery is strongly encouraged by the program staff. Arranging visits through the house manager is required.
In Summary
Riverbank House does cover all the treatment bases and offers many different levels of treatment and options, and does a good job showing the young men who participate in the program that life is more than their addictions. By providing so many different avenues and activities, clients get to re-learn how to live without drugs in a supportive and active environment.
Riverbank House
96 Church St
Laconia, NH 03246
Riverbank House Cost: $4,900 (first 30 days). Reach Riverbank House by phone at (603) 759-2895 or by email. Find Riverbank House on Facebook and its website
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