Lakehouse Recovery in Francestown is helping young men overcome drug addiction through immersion in recovery and community service.
The residential recovery center is currently home to three men in recovery and plans to add up to four more residents when the site is fully functional.
“A lot of people would get a property like this and say I can fit 15 people in there and make a fortune,” founder Mark Hatfield said. “But I’m capping it at seven because I’m not a guy who is trying to make money.”
Hatfield is a certified counselor with close personal connections to addition.
His recovery strategy will include a structured hourly schedule, a 12-step program and getting the residents out of the house.
“We take the young men out every day to different meetings and young people meetings around Massachusetts and New Hampshire,” he said.
Hatfield said he is concerned about the stigma surrounding recovery, especially in small towns. He’s afraid that people will show “NIMBY syndrome,” referring to some citizens’ defiance to prevent new facilities in their towns, saying, “Not In My Back Yard.”
Hatfield says it is important that people in recovery want to get better, are getting better, and can have fun.
“What this is, is a recovery center for people who suffer from drug addiction that really want to get better,” he said.
He feels confident that Lakehouse will be a benefit to the community and the residents. They will be working in the community, trying to help their neighbors and joining in community events.
“I want the community to be a part of this,” he said. “And I want the kids here helping to be part of the community.”