Home Is Where the Heart Is

Home Is Where the Heart Is 

On the quiet streets of the Lower Eastern Shore, Hudson operates five treatment houses and two sober living homes. All the neighborhoods look different. Some have large houses, some small; many are made from wood while others from brick. Colors, shapes and sizes differ widely.

Just as with the houses themselves, the makeup of the people within also differs from building to building. A home might have a mom and a dad, but it could also have a single parent, a grandparent as head of household, a child or children, and other family members and friends. But no matter the make-up, they all have one thing in common: each is reaching for the goal of creating a good life for themselves.  

At Hudson’s treatment houses, our patients also work together towards creating a good life, with understanding and patience.

Director of Housing Lisa Noland explains that “the goal of our housing program is to provide a long, structured transition back into life, which gives the patients greater potential for success. When patients come to us, their lives are in chaos. The addiction is in control, not the person. Patients need a place to gain confidence, find or restart work, and have a support system, and that is what we work to provide.”

Hudson treatment houses offer that structure in three phases. The first works with the patient, who has just completed detox and 30 days of treatment on Hudson’s main campus. There, they focus on themselves. Housing Case Manager Josh relates “that first 30 days of housing can be hard with its structure, like when the teacher tells you to sit still in class. But it is critical to take that time out, to listen to yourself without the noise of the outside world.”

In phase two, patients can go to work and keep a vehicle to commute.  It’s the start of reentering the workforce, but with clear expectations, which can keep it from being so scary.

When asked about the stigma of addiction in relation to finding work, Josh says “while some people worry about the negative, others look at recovery as a positive. They see you fought hard to get better, that you have experienced growth and are motivated. It shows that when we are open and honest about our recovery, it can make a difference”.  Due to the support of the business community, there are local businesses who have hired Hudson patients in the past, that are now seeking referrals for hire.

In the third phase, patients who have completed their treatment and chores, are able to leave for a day with a pass, Lisa shared. “For instance, we had a patient who really wanted to go home and help his family with a home improvement project. We approved it because it was a therapeutic activity, to be a family member who helped instead of a constant source of worry.”

Josh understands the process firsthand as he came through the Hudson program. This allows him and other staff members like him to bring their own recovery experiences to share with patients. When patients see staff who are in recovery “walk the walk” by going to their own meetings, talking with their sponsors and working on self-care, it has an impact.

Josh adds, “Our patients can see that we have been where they are. We help them see they should not be embarrassed or ashamed; that recovery is possible.”