Downtown recovery center gives addicts a place of hope

Amanda Pinkham, director of the center, is waiting, and willing, to help anyone she can. (Lebanon Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - For area residents suffering from heroin addiction, the path to recovery just got a little less daunting.

With the Community Access to Recovery Program initiative that began Saturday and the opening on Monday of the Rochester Community Recovery Center, addicts now have options like never before if they want to get clean.

For Recovery Center Director Amanda Pinkham, it's all about trust.

"We want people to know they have a safe spot to be and that recovery is real," she said on Tuesday, the second day the center had been open.

A longtime peer-to-peer counselor dealing with both substance abuse and mental health issues, Pinkham said her first walk-in was waiting for her at the door when she opened up Monday at noon.

She said that through the day Monday, seven people in all stopped by to find out what resources might be available, a great number given that other than a couple of newspaper stories, the center's services have seen little advertising.

The Recovery Center is located in the former Roberge Community Center near the Rochester District Court and is open weekdays from noon-5 p.m. except for Wednesday when they're open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

However, as part of the city's Community Access to Recovery Program, anyone can get help anytime by walking into either Frisbie Memorial Hospital or the Rochester Police Department 24/7.

Pinkham said at that point, a certified recovery support worker would be summoned to do an immediate assessment and assign a suitable support plan, even if the need were severe and immediate.

"They would do an assessment, find out what's appropriate and find beds if needed," Pinkham said.

The Recovery Center, itself, is for anyone struggling with any form of mental health or addiction issues, or both, said Pinkham, adding that about 70 percent of the time the two are co-occurring.

She said the emphasis - and the mission statement of the center - is on "person-centered supports for people with substance abuse and mental health issues to know they have a safe spot to be, that recovery is real and to inspire hope that these things can happen."

"We're not a 12-step program, we're not a suboxone program, but if you find those helpful, that's great," she said in explaining her role. "So let's figure out what works with you."

She also noted that relapses are "part of recovery" and can occur after long periods of staying clean.

"People can do well and stay well for long periods of time, but they'll be working on (the addiction) their entire life," she added.