New England Recovery Center

10/21/2025

“Disconnect for a bit. Put the phone down, step away from social media… it really distorts things, makes it feel like everyone else has it all figured out.”

Reggaeton superstar J Balvin gets candid about anxiety, depression and the pressures of fame in a recent interview with People. He emphasizes that the “perfect” lives we see online aren’t real, and that connecting with family, friends, and taking care of yourself through exercise and music can make a huge difference in your mental health.

Balvin partnered with Equinox for World Mental Health Day to encourage gym-goers to check their phones in at the front desk, creating an intentional pause to focus on self, strength and shared connection.

Read more about Balvin’s story and advice to those on a similar journey: https://shorturl.at/9eTxV "

The reggaeton superstar, who is partnering with Equinox to promote putting your phones down for World Mental Health Day, gets candid about anxiety and the pressures of fame.

10/14/2025

“We’re not just helping them heal — we’re helping them grow.”

Our affiliate Spectrum Health Systems’ COO, Kristin Nolan, recently spoke with The Eagle Tribune about Breakwater, Spectrum’s new adolescent treatment residence in Methuen for boys ages 14–17.

Opening this month, Breakwater will offer a safe, structured, and family-oriented environment where teens can receive the support they need — including cognitive behavioral therapy, recovery services, and skill-building to promote lifelong wellness.

Led by compassionate professionals trained in trauma-informed care, Breakwater is designed to help young people strengthen resilience, rebuild family connections, and create lasting changes for their futures.

Learn more about this important step forward within our organization’s work and read the full story in The Eagle-Tribune:

METHUEN — The goal of a new adolescent treatment facility is not just to give teenagers a safe place to grow up, but to get them out the door and

10/07/2025

When public figures speak openly about their personal experiences, they help reduce stigma and show that mental health challenges are part of the human experience. By sharing their stories, they create space for others to feel seen, supported and less alone.

Celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Prince Harry and Demi Lovato have all used their platforms to highlight struggles with anxiety, depression, PTSD and substance use. Their openness has helped spark important dialogue and encouraged people to seek support without shame.

Every voice matters. The more we normalize these conversations, the closer we get to building a culture of understanding and compassion.

Read more from University of Utah Health:

Their stories and their courage to talk frankly about their conditions build healthy awareness of current treatments and the importance of loving support.

10/01/2025

📌 Mark your calendars for this month’s virtual family support meetings, hosted in collaboration with Magnolia Recovery Resources and Spectrum Health Systems, Inc.!

This week’s topic: Silent Support: Why active listening is more powerful than advice. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply listen. This session explores the power of active listening, what gets in the way of it, and how shifting from problem-solving to presence can strengthen connection and trust.

📅 Wednesday, October 1 at 6:00 p.m. (ET)
📧 To join, email magnolia@spectrumhealthsystems.orgfor the Zoom link.

These free online sessions are open to anyone supporting a loved one through addiction and recovery.

Learn more: https://shorturl.at/9lXrN

09/24/2025

Comedian Corey O’Brien is proving that recovery can open the door to an entirely new chapter of life.

At just 21, O’Brien entered treatment for what was supposed to be 28 days. He stayed for nearly two years, a choice that helped him begin his path to recovery.

Now, more than a decade later, O’Brien has built a career that reaches millions online and fills theaters across the country. His story is one of perseverance, authenticity and strength in vulnerability.

Read more about Corey’s story in People :

Comedian Corey O'Brien opens up to PEOPLE exclusively about overcoming addiction, his Red Tour and publicly dating former NFL player Ryan Russell.

09/23/2025

On week four of Recovery Month, we are joined by guests Nancy Wright and Michelle May who are part of a special effort to use art to lift the spirits of those in active recovery.

Michelle May is the founding partner at Juniper Rag, Atelier ID Global, as well as an abstract expressionist painter

Nancy Wright is a photographer focused primarily on nature, wildlife and capturing abstract moments within these images.

Founded in 2020, Juniper Rag seeks to enrich communities by facilitating dialogue and creating spaces where cultural expression through creative practices contribute to personal and collective well-being, and growth.

You can view the work Nancy and Michelle did at Spectrum Health Systems, Inc.'s outpatient clinic at https://www.juniperrag.com/spectrum-collection

Join Jesse and Lisa on the last episode of Recovery Month to learn about Juniper Rag, and how art and expression can play a healing role in recovery.

09/22/2025

🎙️ Airing Addiction continues this with a live episode tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/23, at 9:00 a.m.!

Our hosts will be joined by Michelle May, founding partner of Juniper Rag/Atelier ID Global and abstract expressionist painter, along with Nancy Wright, a Westborough-based photographer known for capturing the beauty of nature, wildlife, and abstract moments.

This episode will explore the powerful connection between art and recovery — how creativity builds community, fosters resilience and provides a powerful voice for recovery journeys.

📍 Tune in live: https://shorturl.at/tylfX

09/18/2025

"Supporting children and families in need means supporting programs that provide hope, stability, and life-changing experiences.

Our Community Client Care Manager, Kathleen Wise, recently awarded a $5,000 community impact grant, on Spectrum’s behalf, to the New England Dream Center and Royal Family KIDS Camp.

This funding will help provide essential services to families facing displacement or abuse and give children a supportive camp experience.

We're proud to invest in programs that empower children and build resilient communities.

Learn more about our work within the community: https://shorturl.at/qwhoH

09/18/2025

On this special episode of Airing Addiction for week 3 of Recovery Month, Michael Earielo shares how community and peer support play a great part in support for those in active recovery.

Michael has been the Director of Spectrum Health System’s Everyday Miracles Peer Recovery Center in Worcester, MA, since October 2016. He has over 20 years of experience with addiction and recovery.

He recently received his CADAC and his Recovery Coach Certification from the state of Massachusetts. For Many years, he’s been dedicated to working with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, Worcester Police Department, the City of Worcester, and other community Partners to help The SUD Community improve their day-to-day lives and help them to realize their goals and attain a better quality of life.

Join Jesse Lisa and hear from Michael on why community matters for recovery. Only on Airing Addiction!

09/17/2025

🎙️ Airing Addiction continues this with a special live episode this Thursday, 9/18 at 9:00 a.m. with Michael Earielo, Director of Spectrum Health Systems’ Everyday Miracles Peer Recovery Community Center in Worcester, MA.

With more than 20 years in the field, Michael has played a key role in strengthening recovery communities and advancing advocacy efforts guided by the principle: “Nothing About Us Without Us!”

This episode will highlight how the recovery community—alongside Everyday Miracles PRSC—creates connection, supports individual recovery journeys, and drives meaningful change.

Don’t miss this powerful conversation with hosts Lisa Blanchard and Jesse Chaison on community, advocacy, and the impact of lived experience in recovery.

📍 Tune in live: https://www.facebook.com/events/1839871950230505

09/11/2025

On this episode of Airing Addiction:

This episode, we are joined by Rose Gage and Lynn LeBlanc-Marrone to dive head-first into why family engagement is so important for cultivating a foundation of support for loved ones in active recovery. Join us as we explore how impactful family support is, as Jesse and Lisa tap in to Rose and Lynn share their extensive clinical and practical experience on this week's special Recovery Month episode.

Rose Gage, LMHC, is the Family Engagement Specialist at New England Recovery Center (NERC) in Westborough, MA.

She began her career at NERC over three years ago as a clinician in their inpatient CSS. She took on her new role in March of 2023 and has really enjoyed working with clients and their family members/ support systems. She has witnessed the value that family engagement has on both patients and their loved ones. She strives to create a safe environment that fosters open communication, validation of thoughts and feelings, and education about addiction and the recovery process.

Rose has worked with individuals for over 20 years through roles in higher education, public schools, foster care, and community organizations. She believes in empowering individuals, practices from a strengths-based approach, is growth-oriented, and enjoys working in partnership with individuals to achieve their goals.

Lynn LeBlanc-Marrone is the Executive Director of Inpatient & Outpatient Clinical Services for Spectrum Health Systems. Lynn is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with 40 years of clinical and supervisory experience in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.

She is a member of Spectrum’s FAST Magnolia team, which provides virtual family-focused education and support meetings for the loved ones of individuals navigating addiction/recovery.
In addition to her role at Spectrum Health Systems, Lynn has been an adjunct faculty member at area colleges providing instruction in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Addiction Treatment, and Culturally Responsive Counseling.

Lynn holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Assumption College.

Hear Lynn and Rose, with your hosts Lisa and Jesse. Only on Airing Addiction!

09/04/2025

On this episode of Airing Addiction:

Rachel Sasseville, LICSW, LADC-I, is the Director of Corporate Training at Spectrum Health Systems, where she leads organization-wide efforts to improve clinical quality and support professional development across the continuum of substance use treatment.

A licensed independent clinical social worker and alcohol and drug counselor, Rachel brings over 15 years of experience in behavioral health to her work. She specializes in designing and delivering practical, evidence-based training that equips clinicians and treatment teams with the skills needed to provide effective, compassionate, and outcomes-driven care.

And her favorite flavor of ice cream is cookies and cream.

Join Lisa and Jesse for Recovery Month! Only on Airing Addiction.