Healing Place of New Hanover County

Who is this facility a good fit for?

• Best fit if: Adults seeking free residential addiction treatment due to a lack of insurance or limited financial resources; looking for a longer-term program; wanting a focus on peer support and community; needing support rebuilding stability.
• Not a fit if: Adults seeking medical withdrawal management; requiring on-site medication prescribing; needing extensive mental health treatment; looking for a short-term program; wanting to continue working or attending school during the program; seeking a luxury experience.

What to expect

Developing your care plan

• Motivational-based programming: This residential program offers a number of voluntary phases. Depending on client needs, a typical stay lasts 6 to 9 months. Clients take on additional responsibilities as they progress through the different phases of the program.

Who you will meet with

• Clinical staff: Program oversight is provided by the clinical director, and a detox manager oversees the medication-free withdrawal management program.
• Program managers: Offer program-specific oversight for the men’s and women’s programs.
• Program assistants: Provide support for clients in programs across the organization.
• Transitional coordinators: Help clients in the men’s and women’s programs with transitional planning.
• Alumni and community engagement coordinator: Helps clients build and maintain ongoing community connections.
• Withdrawal management staff: All staff members in the non-medical withdrawal management program are in recovery themselves. This lived experience adds a perspective that may be different from a traditional clinical approach.
• Peer mentors: Peer mentors have progressed through the program. They eventually teach recovery courses, work one-on-one with new clients, coordinate job assignments, and share personal recovery experiences.

Typical schedule

• Non-medical withdrawal management: In the non-medical withdrawal management stage, clients focus on stabilizing and preparing for the next stage of recovery. They stay in a medication-free environment with 24/7 monitoring. This stage can last from 3 to 7 days.
• Safe haven: This stage lasts for approximately 2 weeks. Clients begin learning the program’s schedule and participate in meetings and recovery classes.
• Motivational track I: The next stage of the program lasts for about 6 to 8 weeks as clients learn more about the expectations and structure of the program. They participate in the Sober 180 recovery curriculum, walking to and from classes as part of the daily routine.
• Motivational track II: In this stage, clients take on job functions around the campus, such as housekeeping or working in the kitchen.
• Intensive peer-driven recovery: Clients attend 3 community meetings every week where they acknowledge behaviors and personal issues. Peers create writing assignments and other learning experiences. Accountability and peer guidance are central to this stage, which lasts for about 3 months.
• Peer mentoring/continuing care: In this stage, clients receive a stipend and begin managing a caseload. Responsibilities include monitoring assignments, coordinating job assignments, and providing one-on-one peer guidance. They can also teach classes and guide new clients.

Living experiences and amenities

• Living spaces: Private and shared air-conditioned bedrooms are available. Clients share indoor and outdoor relaxation and lounge areas as well as a library. The facility provides all meals and snacks, served in a communal dining area.
• Communication and visitation: Cell phones are prohibited during non-medical withdrawal management and the motivational tracks. The non-medical withdrawal management phase does not allow visitors, and visitation in the motivational tracks is limited. Once clients reach the intensive peer-driven recovery and peer mentoring phases, they have more opportunities for off-campus visits and increasing flexibility, including overnight passes.

Aftercare

• Practical post-treatment assistance: The facility offers ongoing support to clients who complete the program. This can include help finding employment or housing or navigating medical or legal issues.
• Opportunities for graduates: Graduates of the program can also choose to continue participating as peer mentors, teaching recovery classes, coordinating job assignments, and serving as role models to newer clients.

Client reviews

Clients frequently describe The Healing Place of New Hanover County as a structured, peer-led recovery program that helps them build relationships, develop accountability, and make meaningful changes. However, some reviewers raise concerns about admission and bed availability, program rules, and how clients are supported during transitions in care.

• Treatment quality & outcomes (75% positive): Many reviewers credit the program’s structured, 12-step approach and peer-led model with helping them establish recovery routines, develop accountability, and rebuild their lives. Some reviewers, however, question whether the program consistently meets the needs of people seeking help.
• Support & community (90% positive): Positive reviews frequently highlight lasting friendships, peer connections, and a sense of community. Several former clients also describe reconnecting with family members and developing stronger support networks through the program. "I met men that will be friends for life."
• Staff & care experience (65% positive): Many clients describe staff as caring, professional, and encouraging, particularly when providing guidance throughout recovery. Others report feeling dismissed or inadequately supported during admissions and difficult program transitions.
• Access & process: Reviews reflect mixed experiences with program accessibility and policies. Some clients appreciate having access to shelter and recovery services, while others raise concerns about bed availability, program eligibility, discharge decisions, and restrictions on visitation and personal belongings.
• Facility & environment (60% positive): Some reviewers appreciate having a place to stay and access to meals while working toward recovery. Others express concerns about food quality, residential conditions, and restrictions affecting daily routines and personal belongings.

How we researched this facility

• Reviewed by: Jennifer Trimbee, registered nurse, content writer and strategist, reviewed the research findings and wrote this facility profile on October 29, 2026.
• Facility data research: On September 15, 2026, our research team reviewed the facility’s website and information from public health departments, national accrediting organizations, and SAMHSA to verify facility details.