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Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing
Your mental health is an important part of how you function in your daily life. Positive mental health contributes to your overall wellbeing and is experienced when you can realise your own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and contribute to your community.
Your mental health is not just about the absence of mental illness. Mental health can be affected by numerous factors in daily life. Some days we can feel mentally well and others we may not feel as able to do the things we normally do. Chatting with friends and family, going to work/school or making a meal can become more difficult if you are experiencing mental health difficulties. It is important to look after your mental health on good days and on the days we do not feel as good, we reach out and ask for support.
There a number of actions we can take on a daily basis to help maintain and improve our mental health. The Five Ways to Wellbeing are evidenced based ways to maintain positive mental health – click here to find out more (Link to the Five Ways).
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In an ever-changing digital world, CyberSafeKids* is a trusted advocate for online safety, empowering children, parents, and educators to navigate the internet safely and confidently.
Since 2015, Ireland’s online safety charity, CyberSafeKids, has been dedicated to equipping children and young people with the skills they need to thrive in a connected world while staying protected from the challenges and risks it can bring. We tirelessly promote digital literacy, resilience, and responsible online behaviour.
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Providing an integrated response to child sexual abuse
Barnahus, which translates as ‘Child House’, is the leading European model of a child-friendly multidisciplinary response. It is being established in Ireland to integrate health, medical, child protection, therapeutic, and policing services for children and young people who may have experienced child sexual abuse.
At Barnahus, we know that any form of sexual abuse can affect children, young people, and their families in different ways. Families may need support to navigate their way through the different systems and often do not know where they can get the right support.
There are currently two Barnahus in Ireland. Barnahus West is based in Galway and serves the Northwest, West and Midwest of Ireland.
Barnahus South has recently launched and in its initial phase serves Cork and Kerry.
MOORE – PRECENTING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
MOORE is a center at the renowned Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, driven by scientific discovery, global in focus, and led by Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD and a diverse team of specialists with decades of collective experience.
All children have the right to grow up free from sexual abuse and realize their potential. Everyone benefits when children live their lives free from sexual abuse. And everyone shares the responsibility for preventing it. We are intent on meeting this challenge head-on.
At MOORE we champion world-leading science and intelligence, catalyze insight and understanding, and collaborate through change-making partnerships.
Through our five pillars of action, we pursue the prevention of child sexual abuse, worldwide, at scale. We also design and implement primary and secondary prevention interventions, lead ambitious research and impact evaluation programs, and host ENVISION, the international conference pushing the boundaries of prevention.
PILLARS OF ACTION
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Our Mission
Working inclusively with people with criminal convictions to support them in moving away from offending behaviour and to enhance community wellbeing by reducing offending.
Our Values
POTENTIAL: We believe in people’s capacity to change
ACCOUNTABILITY: We believe that meaningful behavioural change whilst holding individuals to account is possible
COMPASSION: We believe in working with respect and seeing the whole person not just the offending behaviour
EQUALITY: We believe equal opportunities and a restorative approach can enable people to contribute positively to the community.
FOOTHOLD
The Foothold Floating Support Service is an intensive one-to-one support programme that works with high risk and high need clients to address their complex needs. Foothold works closely with the supervising Probation Officer and Liaison Garda in the management of the client whom is in their care. During their time with Foothold, clients are encouraged to develop their necessary needs e.g., social supports, values, skills, opportunities that will allow them to achieve their basic human needs, but in a more socially acceptable and constructive way that will not involve them re-offending and harming others or themselves. Skilled & experienced support workers will assist clients to resettle and reintegrate back into the community. Foothold operates in Dublin and welcomes referrals in the Greater Dublin area.
SAFER LIVES
The Safer Lives treatment program is designed to support men who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour. Such men are often attempting to meet their own needs by adopting unhealthy and harmful strategies and the Safer Lives program is an offence focused strengths-based intervention which aims to reduce the treatment needs/risk of participants. The Safer Lives program increases the participants resources, skill set and knowledge in a way that helps them to meet their needs in healthy and safe ways.
The following are some useful links to support services , if you would like to be included on the list please contact us thekavanaghsisters@gmail.com and we’ll update the list including your details.
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Our programmes help adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, their families, and those who have engaged in sexually harmful behaviour. We work in all aspects of sexual violence in an effort to break the cycle of abuse.
One in Four opened its doors in 2003 to provide professional support to men and women who had experienced childhood sexual abuse. Many of the original clients were survivors of clerical and institutional sexual abuse. As the service developed, people who had been abused in many different contexts also sought our support. Today, most clients have been sexually abused by members of their own families and by people they know in their communities.
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Sexual violence is a serious public health and human rights issue with both short and long-term consequences for those affected. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has been at the forefront of the Irish response to sexual violence for almost 40 years. We work with government, non-profit organisations, academic institutions, and the general public to ensure that all available resources to prevent sexual violence are utilised.
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a national organisation offering a wide range of services to any person affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse.
These services include:
- the National 24-hour Helpline,
- webchat support,
- live Helpline interpretation in more than 200 languages
- one-to-one counselling,
- accompaniment in reporting sexual violence and in court & other fora,
- therapy outreach services,
- specialised training,
- youth programmes,
- awareness raising & campaigning, and
- policy & advocacy work.
Our aim is to offer help and support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence of any kind. This may have been recently, some years ago or in childhood.
We take calls from people of all ages, creeds, ethnic groups and orientations. Our counsellors will also speak with friends, relatives and concerned persons as well as take general queries.
Here in Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, we acknowledge it takes courage to contact the Centre for the first time and we assure you that if you come to us, you will be treated with dignity and respect.
Perhaps in visiting this website you are taking a first step on your journey towards healing and we encourage you to take the next step and call us.
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Sexual Violence Centre Cork
Sexual Violence Centre Cork was set up on International Women’s Day in 1983 and has been providing services to victims of sexual violence in Cork city and County for over 37 years. The Centre was formerly known as Cork Rape Crisis Service.
The Centre has two main aims:
To work towards the elimination of sexual violence in society.
- To work towards the elimination of sexual violence in society.
- To provide the highest quality of services to victims of sexual violence.
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CARI
CARI is a registered charitable organization established in 1989 to provide a professional, child-centred therapy and support service to children, families, and groups who have been affected by child sexual abuse or to children under 12 who are displaying sexually harmful behaviours.
CARI currently operates full-time centres in Dublin and Limerick and a Southeast Outreach Centre in Wexford. These centres offer safe and professional environments for children and families.
CARI respects the need of each child to have an individually tailored response to their particular trauma and its effect on their family. This work is supported and funded by TUSLA, and by other private and corporate donors.
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THE HAVEN HUB
Our Mission
The Haven Hub is a non-profit organisation that advocates for mental health wellness by empowering people to take control over their own mental health. We do this by offering a range of mental health awareness programs, wellbeing programs, 1:1 counselling, support groups, corporate training as well as peer support and suicide prevention through our crisis cafes in Limerick & Ennis.
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MECPATHS was originally established in 2013 by two Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, Srs. Patricia O’ Donovan and Mary Ryan. It has since evolved to employ a team with the day-to-day responsibility for operations. It was founded in response to the emergence of Child Trafficking as a growing human rights and social justice issue in Ireland. MECPATHS collaborates closely with private, statutory and non-statutory agencies and organisations working to counter Child Trafficking including An Garda Síochána and The Department of Justice.
Our vision is a responsible world where every child is protected against trafficking for exploitation. Our mission is to advocate for child protection from trafficking for exploitation through collaborative action, awareness raising and education.
MECPATHS works to raise awareness on Child Trafficking and educate frontline and emerging professionals on how to recognise indicators and report their concerns to the authorities.
REPORTING: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
If you suspect a case of Child Trafficking:
In an emergency, always call 999/112
To report any suspicions, contact your Local Garda Station
To report anonymously, call The Garda Confidential Hotline 1800 666 111 or email Blueblindfold@garda.ie
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Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) is a leading feminist organisation that advocates on behalf of survivors of sexual violence. We aim to improve survivors’ access to justice and other supports that they need.
Our work is guided by zero tolerance for sexual violence.
RCI works with stakeholders across Ireland and internationally to prevent sexual violence and improve responses to survivors. We also analyse and advocate on support, prevention, and justice responses and solutions.
OUR WORK
Our core stakeholders are Rape Crisis Centres around Ireland that provide support for survivors. These supports include counselling, accompanying the survivor to a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit or to the Gardaí to make a statement, as well as other support services requested by the survivor.
RCI draws on data from Rape Crisis Centres to analyse statistics across Ireland and publishes reports which highlight the experiences of survivors of sexual violence as they seek to access services and justice.
We advocate with policy makers and politicians to work towards zero tolerance of sexual violence in all its forms. We undertake advocacy on legal reform. We provide specialist legal advice and influence public campaigns about sexual violence – endeavouring to base our advocacy on the experiences of survivors, and on the statistics that we gather.
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Pieta first opened its doors in Lucan, County Dublin in 2006. Since then we have seen and helped over 70,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm.
We now operate 20 locations across Ireland. Pieta now employs over 300 therapists and support staff, and the demand for our service is increasing.
In 2022 Pieta delivered over 50,000 hours of intervention and bereavement counselling. We received almost 100,000 crisis support calls and texts through our 24 freephone helpline and we directly supported over 700 households devastated by the loss of a loved one by suicide.
Everything is free of charge and our staff are fully qualified, providing a professional one-to-one therapeutic service for people who are experiencing suicidal ideation, people who have attempted suicide and people who are engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral or a psychiatric report is not required.
All our services are free of charge and our staff are fully qualified, providing a professional one-to-one therapeutic service
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Survivors Side by Side is a Facebook Page for victims of sexual abuse, their friends, family and those that support them. The page is designed to provide a safe space to share your experiences with others that will understand exactly what you are experiencing and help to let you know that you are not alone.
Its members provide support, advice and comfort to those who find themselves on their journey of healing. Members are at different stages of healing and best placed to understand the questions and answers you seek.
This is a private group and only those invited onto the page by the founder Shaneda Daly, a survivor of child sexual abuse, and an advocate for the rights of victims to appropriate services and supports throughout the country.
Sins of the Father – Shaneda Daly
Straight away we can say, WOW! it is Brilliant, a page turner, Courageous, Strong, Heart-breaking, emotional and so much more. Words seem inadequate when we try to explain how we each felt while reading it. Shaneda did an outstanding job. Her courage and strength of character shines through.
We know it is not easy to allow yourself to be vulnerable and tell your deepest darkest secrets, but Shaneda goes there. She has managed to demonstrate how relentless the abuse was, how it felt to be powerless and completely controlled by her father, all the while clinging on to her sanity in a world that grew more and more insane. We could almost imagine her in front of us telling her story, only we don’t think she had told too many the full extent of her abuse before writing this book.
We will be digesting Shaneda’s book for some time to come. It is full of triggering information that anyone who was a victim of childhood sexual abuse cannot avoid. To us, she is a walking miracle, somehow not only surviving her abuse, but she is able to love and be compassionate after a lifetime receiving neither.
This book will help so many people to not only realise they are innocent, but demonstrate that the details of the abuse, when unpicked, can set you free from the devastation of abuse has on every aspect of your life.
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Lifeline (Inishowen)
Domestic Violence Service
Mission Statement
LIFELINE (Inishowen) Domestic Violence Service provide a community response in Inishowen which offers a first step to support women and children who are experiencing Domestic Violence: physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse.
Domestic Violence experienced by women involves the physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse of a woman by a male partner with whom she lives or has lived in the recent past. It can take a number of forms such as physical assault, sexual abuse, rape threats and intimidation and may also be accompanied by other kinds of intimidation such as degradation, mental and verbal abuse, humiliation and systematic criticism. Domestic Violence is an abuse of power which is part of a process rather than a once of event, and which usually increases over time.
We provide women with information on their rights and entitlements to all benefits, including health board services, housing, legal matters and can also refer to or provide an advocacy service for women where necessary. We also provide court accompaniment, for women who may feel intimidated at the prospect of facing court appearances/procedures alone. At all times, the service is ‘woman centred’, providing invaluable support at a time when the woman is likely to be under huge emotional, psychological and financial pressure. It has been the experience in the past that many women have been unable to draw on family or community for support in their situation – where family might be unwilling to become involved, the lifeline provides constant support to the woman.
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International Support Services
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My name is Guy Macpherson.
With a Doctorate in clinical psychology, and with The Trauma Therapist Project and The Trauma Therapist Podcast I bring together resources for clinicians and therapist of all kinds who are starting out on their trauma-informed journey.
For the last several years I have dedicated myself to the study of trauma, post-traumatic growth, and most recently, the intersection of trauma and psychosis, specifically assessing and treating signs of early psychosis.
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Survivors.org brings together everything a survivor of sexual violence needs to thrive after trauma.
After over 20 years of supporting survivors and preventing sexual violence, Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment (PAVE) launched Survivors.org to make it possible for survivors, and those who care about them, to find support after experiencing sexual and/or domestic violence.
Survivors.org is a powerful and unique tool that allows for survivors to take control of their healing and find the resources they need to thrive. We do so by offering three main types of support: support resources, educational resources, and community. Our goal is to help survivors thrive after trauma.
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Who we are.
We are a mental health collective that provides the very best comprehensive mental healthcare to the communities we serve and have thoughtfully curated a team of multidisciplinary doctors so that you can come to one place for most of your mental healthcare needs. We select only the most highly trained doctor-level mental health therapists who are warm, professional, relatable, and proactive as they work with you.
How we help.
We believe the relationship between the doctor and client is perhaps the most crucial factor in determining the success of therapy, no matter the method. For this reason, we invite you to explore the profiles of each of our therapists. We also provide for a brief consultation with a client coordinator, whose primary focus is to help you find a therapist that best fits you within our practice.
What to expect.
We are hyper-focused on your needs and your healing journey. Our offices have been beautifully designed to help you feel comfortable, at ease and safe every session. Whether you prefer to book online, use our integrated insurance reimbursement service, or simply appreciate having the choice between in-person and online therapy, we have put you at the center of everything we do.
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Heal Thrive Dream, LLC is a mother daughter company whose mission is to bring compassion, comfort, and healing to professional mothers recovering from childhood abuse.
The Heal Thrive Dream Team hosts a FREE, PRIVATE Facebook group for career mothers desiring a community for support, education, mentorship and guidance for all things trauma related. Abuse affects every aspect of a survivor’s life, and it is common to feel “stuck” or empty. They created their podcast (link) to offer education and inspiration to their listeners.
Karen Robinson, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCTP-II
Founder and CEO, Heal Thrive Dream, LLC
• Trauma Recovery Expert • Author • Speaker •
• Mental Health Therapist • Transformation Coach
Karen is a best-selling author, speaker, and trauma recovery expert. With 25 years of experience as a professional therapist, she is the Founder and CEO of Heal Thrive Dream, LLC, a company dedicated to empowering trauma survivors to heal, thrive, and pursue their dreams. Passionate about creating social change and supporting survivors, Karen is known for her genuine compassion and authentic approach to coaching and therapy.
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Helping survivors move on with their lives.
The Maggie Oliver Foundation (TMOF) exists to create a society where survivors and those at risk of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) are empowered to live fulfilled and successful lives, and where every survivor is treated with dignity, respect and as an equal and valued member of society.
Our Services
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Healing from Child Sexual Abuse isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort.
The Fiona Project is a music movement of concerts and music video to increase awareness of child sexual abuse, protect our children by sharing prevention tips in a fun uplifting way, and also to raise funding for organizations that provide prevention and survivor support programs.
Through these efforts we hope to remove the taboo and release the shame of child sexual abuse by empowering survivors to speak out and get help–including both children who are being victimized now and adults who were victimized long ago.
As adults, breaking our silence is the best thing we can do for ourselves, for others who are struggling, and also for our children by showing them a healthy example. In order to stop this devastating epidemic, it’s imperative our children understand that it’s safe to speak out and tell a trusted adult who can help them.
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Rainn (Rape, Abuse & Incest national Network)
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656. HOPE, online.rainn.org/online/ in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Supporting Survivors, Cultivating Community, Pursuing Justice
RAINN is committed to supporting survivors of sexual violence, cultivating communities of anti-sexual violence activism, and promoting policies that deliver justice and hold perpetrators accountable.
Since July 27th, 1994, RAINN has answered the call on the National Sexual Assault Hotline and supported 5 million survivors and their loved ones.
We’re proud of the work we’ve done. But there’s still so much left to do.
Together, we can create a world free from sexual violence.
Let’s get to work.
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Ark Behavioral Health provides all levels of evidence-based care to help you begin your personal journey toward recovery.
Our commitment to our patients is unmatched and proven by our four diverse treatment locations. We put you and your family’s needs first throughout the treatment process, which is supported by caring and professional staff.
We use individualized treatment plans to address the underlying causes of your addiction, providing you with the tools and support systems you need to achieve a fulfilling life without alcohol or drugs.
Our goal at Ark Behavioral Health extends far beyond sobriety alone; every therapeutic intervention we deliver empowers you with a sense of purpose and joy in recovery.
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To cope with the pain of domestic and sexual abuse, many victims turn to the use of drugs and alcohol. Our mission is to be a support resource for those coping with theses issues.
DrugRehab.com is a web resource provided and funded by Advanced Recovery Systems. Since 2015, the website has provided researched, fact-based resources for free. Readers can learn about risks of various substances, the latest approaches to treatment and real stories of recovery.
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Find Support For Quitting Drugs & Alcohol Safely and Comfortably
Detox Local provides medically reviewed guides on every aspect of the drug & alcohol withdrawal process, as well as a list of SAMHSA-approved detox centres throughout the country.
At Detox Local we provide a nationwide directory of detox centres for both drugs and alcohol. As per our name, the focus is on detox centres near you. Our comprehensive directory lists detox centres by state, zip code, or through an interactive map. Depending on the specific drug someone was using, they may need a certain type of detox and that is made easy at Detox Local.
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nursinghomeabusecenter.com
Elderly Women Who Have Been Sexually Abused.
Sexual abuse of the elderly is one of the most unfathomable crimes and it’s critical to shed light on it. Women over the age of 70 who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia are more likely to become victims of abuse.
About 90 percent of perpetrators of elder abuse are family member, including spouses, adult children, partners and other relatives. The incidence of abuse is higher if the family member suffers from drug or alcohol abuse, have some type of mental illness, or feel burdened by the care of their loved ones.
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Recovery Village organization with locations across the country, is dedicated to providing the best treatment possible to those struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. It is our philosophy that all individuals with the desire and ability to seek treatment are provided with the highest quality care at reasonable rates.
We strive to have our website be an educational resource by hosting helpful articles, blog posts, and resource pages to increase understanding and awareness of addiction – a disease that affects so many.
Due to the importance of mental health awareness among friends and family, and the rise of PTSD and substance abuse cases from traumatic experiences the following links will provide much needed information.
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RehabCenter.net has compiled an extensive directory of drug and alcohol rehab centers located throughout the United States.
Learn More About Inpatient Drug And Alcohol Treatment Programs
Inpatient, also known as residential, drug and alcohol treatment programs are often the recommended first-step individuals take on their journey in recovery. There are many different types of inpatient, or residential, drug and alcohol treatment programs. Finding the right type of program is one of the most important factors in achieving long-term sobriety.
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ARG is dedicated to helping people overcome alcoholism and achieve long-term sobriety. Our team is made up of individuals who have personal experience with alcohol addiction, and understand the importance of delivering top-notch resources and information. That was our inspiration. ARG aims to educate people on the dangers of alcohol addiction and guide them or their loved one into a treatment program.
The ARG team strives to raise awareness about those most susceptible to alcohol abuse: adolescents, college students, adults, individuals with mental health disorders and veterans. Roughly 240 million people around the globe are dependent on alcohol. Our goal is to help reduce the number of individuals affected by the dangers of alcohol abuse.
If you’re ready to seek help for alcoholism, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today to start on your journey to a lasting recovery.
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Rehab Spot is an information hub that focuses on educating individuals on the treatment process: from selection, to what they can expect during treatment, to entering back into a drug-free life. Our goal is to lessen the stigma of addiction and empower those who are struggling to find the treatment they deserve.
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According to the Worth Health Organization, more than 80% of heart related fatalities and 40% of cancer fatalities could have been prevented through lifestyle changes and other ‘preventative healthcare’ matters.
We’re currently working to educate on this topic, and believe that this page is an accessible but comprehensive resource for preventative healthcare.
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We are an informational website that connects addicts and their families with the help they need to put their lives back together.
Our goal is to help these individuals and loved ones by providing them with information and support on different addictions and recovery resources available to them. We are not a treatment center, nor do we refer our audience to specific centers! Our website is here to provide information and support only.
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At Recovering Champions, we assess your physical, psychological, and spiritual needs to tailor a treatment plan just for you. Many of our staff are in recovery themselves, and we understand no two people experience addiction the same way.
We Do Things Different Here — And It Matters
We obsess over what works.
We refuse to rely on outdated methods just because they’re standard practice. We constantly evaluate and refine our approach, integrating proven medical treatments, cutting-edge therapies, and real-world recovery tools that are much more likely to keep our patients well than the status quo.
We know you are more than your struggles.
Who you are is not defined by what you’ve been through. You deserve more than just a quick fix—you deserve lasting peace, hope and sobriety.
We focus on more than just treatment—it’s a deeply supportive, uplifting experience where you can heal, rebuild, and rediscover the strength that’s already within you.
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Many of us know of a friend, family member or someone that’s suffering from a mental health ailment, co-occurring disorder or addiction. To make things worse some in our community abuse prescription meds, drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with grief, trauma or life in general. Addiction is a disease and at the end of the day we believe the sick want to get better.
For over 10 years, Granite Recovery Centers has been transforming the lives of alcohol and drug dependent adults from New England and well beyond. Our New Hampshire addiction treatment centers offer a unique blend of evidence-based clinical psychotherapies with a comprehensive 12-Step curriculum.
Our addiction treatment programs feature a full continuum of care that includes medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, primary residential treatment, extended care, sober living, and intensive outpatient counseling. Our success is evidenced by our active, growing alumni community, each of whom will tell you that what we do, along with the skills we provide, saved their lives – and continues to do so.
We’ve been busy publishing new educational content for example, due to AA’s 12 Steps of Recovery being widely misunderstood and often misinterpreted, we launched a free educational video series on it.
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We believe the client and their needs must be our primary focus. Their needs and involvement shape our program and guide our activities. The Summit stands by its core values of respect, quality, and individualized care with a dedication to lifetime recovery.
There are some general resources that are available and accessible to all people of colour and are intended to provide information, access, and guidance toward finding mental health and substance abuse care that is specific to BIPOC issues:
We have produced a number of guides that do a great job of addressing this key issue for People of Colour and their allies read more..…
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