Family Support

Recovery is, at its core, an act of profound self-love. Every day you choose sobriety, you're choosing yourself. You're saying, "I deserve better, I am worthy of care, and I am enough."

Substance use disorder is a complex and devastating disease that affects not just the individual struggling with substance use, but their entire family and social circle. When a loved one struggles with substance use disorder, it can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down.

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration. For those in recovery, however, it can also be a period filled with challenges and temptations.

HMN 2024: The Power of Love in Alcohol Recovery “Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.” —Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw Alcohol abuse is among the leading causes of preventable death in the United States—not opioids such as illicit fentanyl, given all the media attention

Two of the most powerful resources on the healing path of recovery are the concepts of gratitude and thankfulness.

On the healing path of recovery, it’s essential to have tools and strategies that support you along your journey. Two of the most powerful resources are the concepts of gratitude and thankfulness.

One of the highlights of our year is inviting Herren Wellness alumni, families, and guests to Jacob Hill to celebrate the 4th, summer, our community and recovery. It is a day filled with laughter, family, connection, and community. This is recovery.

Historically loved ones will wait until a person reaches “rock bottom” to intervene. The question is why? Why wait to seek treatment?

Herren Wellness founders, Chris and Heather Herren as well as Executive Director, Lori McCarthy recently sat down with South Shore Magazine to talk about Chris's journey to recovery and founding a residential substance use treatment organization in 2018 located in Seekonk, MA as a hands-on approach to healing from alcohol and substance

When you love someone who has struggled with addiction and is now in recovery, it often creates an emotional roller coaster, marked by a myriad of conflicting feelings. On one hand, there's immense pride in witnessing their daily battles and triumphant moments of overcoming; on the other, there's the shadow of past pains and

Individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder experience intense feelings of guilt and shame.  In recovery these feelings are worked through in treatment, therapy, and 12 step programs.  But what happens when someone in recovery relapses, when the shame comes roaring back to the surface? The danger in shame is that it keeps people

This time of the year is all about giving to others- however it is also a good time to think about what you can give to yourself to enhance well-being.  Forgiveness is often described as a “gift” and there is a reason for it: Resentment can cause your blood pressure to spike

Embracing Gratitude, Inner Light, and the Joy of Recovery This Holiday Season  At Herren Wellness the holidays are a special time of year where the community comes together to celebrate and reflect.   While being away from family during this time can be challenging, we encourage our guests to focus on

Image courtesy of Los Angeles Times Recovery for Young Adults at Herren Wellness  At Herren Wellness we have seen first hand the impact that Covid-19 and social isolation has had on young adults.  During 2020-2021 we have experienced an increase in guests who fall into the 18-24 age range struggling with

The Herren Wellness Difference Wellness is a key component in recovery. As we kick-off Wellness Week with Herren 2021, we wanted to take a deeper look into the daily focus on wellness at Herren Wellness and the individual plans created for each guest to draw on their strengths and explore all aspects of

Image courtesy of Target Mommy Wine Culture On a recent afternoon trip to Target I headed to the women’s section for some new workout t-shirts.  I walked up to a shelf with piles of shirts neatly folded in rows and pulled the top T’s up to see the slogans: “Good Vibes Only” “Namaste”

Holidays at Herren Wellness It’s the week of Christmas here at Herren Wellness.  The world is upside down and heavy… but walking into Jacob Hill the Christmas spirit is very alive.  Joey is outside burning a fire in the pit surrounded by the adirondack chairs covered in snow.  When I walk through the

Dogs are an important part of our community here at Herren Wellness. They provide companionship, healthy activity, and fun for our guests and team members alike. Pictured are a few of our current and former guests’ dogs as well as our staff’s dogs including Winston, Bama, Brody, Leo, Sweet, Lou, Awlly, Hattie, Maddie, Maggie,

As we approach Father’s Day, we wanted to shine a light on the importance that family support plays in helping a loved one seek treatment for substance use disorder and embracing life in recovery. Family involvement is an important part of our approach at Herren Wellness. We encourage family members to be active,

What is the Herren Wellness difference? Our programs are individually customized to each guest combining holistic strategies with medical and clinical support. Jacob Hill and Twin Oaks each offer just 24 beds allowing for a personalized experience. Herren Wellness staff is connected to each guest as they start their journey to recovery. When

“One of the most powerful experiences at Herren Wellness is when people come back and share their one-year anniversary. To see people who walk into the front door lost, somewhat broken, hopeless and walk back in a year later with 20 people to celebrate is the most special thing you can witness in

It’s easy to understand the importance of community and support in recovery when we are navigating our way through difficult times, but it’s just as important to have support through new beginnings, transitions, and exciting milestones. When we

During the holiday season, there are reminders all around that this time of year is for family, food, and fun. For people in recovery, it is also a time of year to be especially mindful of their recovery and wellness

Meet Heather Herren! Heather is Co-Founder of Herren Wellness, along with her husband Chris, as well as Family Support Specialist. She is a vital part of our community, and she provides support, assistance, and resources to loved ones and family members of our guests. Heather brings vast personal and professional experience in dealing

National Youth Sports Week is celebrated this year from July 15th - July 21st! It’s a time to elevate the importance of youth sports and the positive impact it has on the emotional and physical wellbeing of youth in America. It’s also a good time to address the ways in which

I never saw this part of my life coming. In 2011 I was a teacher, and Chris came in to speak to the students at the high school where I worked. I remember thinking: ‘wow, what an unbelievable story and what an amazing family’ but at that time I really didn’t understand addiction, and

In honor of Father’s Day we are grateful to share the recovery story of one of our former guests which highlights a family’s journey and the healing power of recovery.  I am 40 years old, I’m from Worcester Massachusetts, and I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m married