Addiction thrives in isolation. Recovery thrives in community.
However, for many people in recovery, connection can feel both essential and dangerous. Everyday social spaces—restaurants, movie theaters, parties—are often shaped around alcohol or other substances, turning simple moments of togetherness into sources of stress or temptation. Too often, people in recovery are left feeling that they must choose between being alone or putting their sobriety at risk.
An intentional recovery community changes that equation. At Educational Alliance’s Center for Recovery and Wellness (CRW) Clubhouse, connection becomes a source of strength rather than fear.
On weekends, CRW clients – alongside members of the wider community – gather in a warm, substance-free space to share music, poetry slams, food, games, sports, movies, and conversation. These moments may look simple, but their impact is profound. They remind people that they are not alone, that they are welcome, and that they belong.
The Clubhouse reflects CRW’s belief that recovery cannot happen in isolation. CRW is not simply an addiction treatment program – it is a community center with recovery at its heart. By creating spaces where people are seen, supported, and valued, CRW restores something addiction often takes away: trust, connection, and hope.
In the video above, I speak with Angela Frazier, Peer Services Coordinator at CRW and organizer of the Recovery Clubhouse. Take a few minutes to learn why community is not just helpful in recovery – it’s essential.
Best,
Rich Baum
President & CEO, Educational Alliance