Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment and behavioral health services throughout Massachusetts, announced today the opening of The Recovery Exchange in Lynn, Massachusetts, its fourth peer recovery center in the state.
“Mounting evidence and client testimonies alike confirm that peer recovery programming is an extremely important and effective element of the continuum of recovery care,” said, Kurt Isaacson, President and CEO of Spectrum Health Systems. “The opening of our fourth peer recovery center in Lynn demonstrates Spectrum’s commitment to increasing access to care in response to the ever-growing need for specialized recovery services across the state and will allow us to provide more people with a safe space to take the next step forward in their recovery.”
Spectrum’s peer recovery centers are all led and driven by members, individuals who have experienced addiction and recovery, either directly or as a family member or friend. Spectrum’s Recovery Exchange center in Lynn is open to anyone in recovery, including family, friends, and allies. The center will follow a harm-reduction approach offering recovery support meetings, health and wellness activities, extra-curricular activities, and support groups for individuals in recovery and their loved ones. The center will be led by Lynn native, Kim Patterson, who will serve as the program director.
The Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Services currently funds 27 peer recovery centers throughout the state, with a plan to fund 13 more by July 1, 2023. With the opening of The Recovery Exchange Center in Lynn, Spectrum Health Systems currently hosts four such facilities, with the other three in Lawrence, Marlborough, Worcester.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with the Lynn community and help develop The Recovery Exchange center from the ground up,” said Athena Hadden, Executive Director of Peer Services and Recovery Support. “We saw an unmet need in Lynn for the unique tools peer support provides those in recovery, and with the opening of this center, we are proud to provide those resources and further establish our presence on the North Shore.”
This service expansion comes on the heels of Spectrum’s mobile treatment van’s service launch earlier this year, showcasing the provider’s momentum in increasing access to recovery services throughout the state.
The Recovery Exchange is located at 35 Exchange Street in Lynn on the corner of Spring and Exchange and will be open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, please visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryExchange, our peer recovery support website or give us a call at 339-499-5903.
