Gandara Center Hairston House

About Gandara Center Hairston House

The Gandara Center Hairston House is a 19-bed community focused residential recovery program in Northampton, Massachusetts. This program guides adult males over 18 on a journey of complete recovery from substance abuse using the social model of care. The Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services funds this program as an alternative to therapeutic community and recovery home programs. The program provides a safe space where you can build healthy relationships among a community of peers and apply these practices to your daily life.

To be accepted, you must be a Massachusetts resident with a demonstrable commitment to a life of sobriety. You must also be willing to complete an eligibility assessment and create and maintain a personalized care plan based on your unique recovery needs. Priority admission is available for members of the LGBTQ+ community, folks involved with the criminal justice system, individuals with disabilities and people with HIV/AIDS. People on medication assisted treatment or other meds are accepted as well.

Social Model of Recovery

This program is grounded in the social model of care. This model emphasizes peer support and community involvement as key components of healing. It encourages personal growth through relationships and group activities. The model recognizes that recovery is not just about abstinence but also about building a new and healthy lifestyle within a supportive community.

Gándara‘s Social Model program is particularly based on the idea that addiction is not just biological in nature but also deeply rooted in relationships. So emphasis is placed on forming or rebuilding connections between you and your social environments. To achieve this, they create an environment where you can connect with others who share similar experiences.

Your recovery process and the success achieved in this space are driven by personal responsibility alongside peer support. Part of this responsibility includes creating your personalized recovery goals and plans. Your case manager may offer assistance. The program incorporates 12-step involvement and self help meetings like AA and NA to help you build solid support networks. Other group activities are provided as well.

The staff acts as a role model and provides counseling using behavior modification techniques with positive reinforcement to guide you toward healing. Additionally, they’ll teach you how to address personal challenges and build a positive attitude in recovery. The duration of your stay depends on your unique needs and level of engagement with the community services. As you move forward in your recovery, your case manager may help you navigate safe accommodation, jobs and other supportive services that can help your long term recovery.

Recovery in Charming Northampton

Northampton is a small but vibrant city in Hampshire County known for its artsy, progressive atmosphere and historic charm. It is home to Smith College and has a thriving cultural scene. The location is seamlessly accessible from nearby Holyoke, Amherst and Springfield via ia I-91 and Route 9. PVTA operates bus routes that link the area to all these nearby cities. Peter Pan Bus Lines also has routes from the area to Boston, Hartford and New York City. Amtrak Station is just a mile away and offers rail service to New York City and beyond via the Vermonter line. So you’ve flexible transportation options should you want to take care of something offsite.

Childs Park is situated 1.5 miles north of the facility and offers peaceful green space with walking paths and gardens that are ideal for relaxing during leisure time. The Look Park is three miles north, featuring trails, a pond and many recreational facilities. The Connecticut River also runs nearby offering scenic views and outdoor activities options that can benefit your wellbeing. It all boils down to if the facility allows offsite recreation. It’s worth contacting them to confirm.