Tag: Substance Use Disorder

Open post The GateHouse 2025 year in review — recovery, renewal, and resolve for individuals in Lancaster, PA

A Year of Renewal, Resolve, and Recovery: Looking Back at 2025 and Ahead to 2026 at The GateHouse

In a year of recovery shaped by economic uncertainty and shifting community needs, one thing remained steady across Lancaster County: The GateHouse continued to meet people where they are, helping them rebuild their lives as they recover from substance use disorder.

This work showed up in many ways. It appeared in the stories clients shared, in the families who found stability again, and in the quiet but essential support that helped people move forward when it mattered most.

As we close out 2025, we are taking time to reflect on what this community made possible and what lies ahead in the year to come.

 

The Landscape of Recovery in 2025

Throughout 2025, recovery providers across the region navigated a complex and evolving landscape. While opioid overdose deaths in Lancaster County have declined over the past two years, new substances continue to emerge, and economic pressure remains real for many families. These conditions often make access to sustained support even more critical.

Within that environment, The GateHouse remained one part of a broader solution. We deepened community engagement, expanded access to care, and continued to focus on long-term recovery rather than short-term fixes. Families new to navigating substance use disorder found a place that offers both structure and hope, and individuals seeking change found support grounded in dignity and accountability.

 

What Your Support Made Possible

The GateHouse exists to strengthen the entire community by providing comprehensive, community-based post-rehabilitative services for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder.

In 2024, 493 individuals went through GateHouse programs across residential, outpatient, and transitional living services. Final totals for 2025 will be available in early January, but the scope of care remains substantial and growing.

Behind that reach is a commitment to meeting people’s real-world needs. Over the past year:

  • 46 rent scholarships were awarded, totaling approximately $30,000, to help individuals transition into stable housing.
  • $66,000 in grant funding was used to cover direct client needs such as medical expenses, work clothing, work boots, and other unmet essentials.

This support is often the difference between someone stalling out and someone moving forward. Housing stability, access to medical care, and the ability to show up for work are foundational to sustained recovery.

 

Where Donations Go

One principle guides how donor dollars are used at The GateHouse: support should reach people directly.

Funds raised through community giving do not go toward administrative or operational costs. Instead, donations are allocated through a simple internal process that allows clinicians and case managers to advocate for clients when needs arise. Requests are reviewed and approved quickly so support can be provided when timing matters most.

Whether that support looks like covering rent during a transition, paying for glasses or dental care, or purchasing work boots so someone can accept a job, each dollar is tied to a specific outcome and a specific person.

 

Recovery That Reaches Beyond the Individual

One of the clearest lessons from this year is that recovery does not happen in isolation. When someone begins to recover, families often begin to heal alongside them.

Many of the stories shared throughout the year reflected that broader impact. Parents spoke about reconnecting with their children after long periods of instability and absence, while others described the relief of regaining trust and consistency in relationships that had been strained for years. Several individuals also shared how rebuilding structure in their daily lives created space to show up more fully for family, work, and community in ways that once felt out of reach.

In the year ahead, The GateHouse plans to more intentionally share these family perspectives alongside individual recovery stories. Doing so helps show the full scope of what recovery restores, not just for one person, but for everyone connected to them.

 

Recovery as a Path to Stability and Purpose

Another pattern continued to emerge in 2025. Many of The GateHouse alumni went on to build stable, productive lives that extended well beyond their time in the program. Some returned to the workforce in new ways. Others started businesses, employed others, or gave back directly to the recovery community.

These outcomes underscore a core truth of long-term recovery. When people are supported with structure, accountability, and practical assistance, they are able to reclaim purpose and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

 

Community Connections That Matter

Throughout the year, The GateHouse strengthened its sense of community and its culture of connection in both large and small ways.

Greenhouses at residential locations became spaces for learning and collaboration. Clients worked together to grow food and share responsibility, including using harvests to prepare meals together. A 12-step trail in Marietta is nearing completion and will soon provide a dedicated place for reflection and recovery-focused practice.

Events like TurkeyThon and our annual cultural event continued to bring clients, staff, and supporters together in gratitude and fellowship. Behind the scenes, leadership commitment also reached an important milestone, with 100% participation in Board giving, reinforcing a shared responsibility for the mission.

 

A Challenging Year for Giving, and a Community That Responded

Like many nonprofit organizations, The GateHouse felt the effects of a challenging fundraising climate in 2025. Economic uncertainty and broader political factors made some donors more cautious, and development efforts required persistence and flexibility.

Even so, the community continued to show up. Individuals gave what they could. Businesses supported clients through employment opportunities and matching contributions. Non-monetary donations filled practical gaps. Each act of support reinforced the idea that recovery is a shared effort.

 

Looking Beyond This Year of Recovery Into 2026

As we look to the year ahead, several priorities are already coming into focus:

  • Continuing to expand rent scholarships and direct client assistance
  • Sharing a wider range of recovery stories, including family perspectives
  • Completing our 12-step trail in Marietta
  • Making targeted facility improvements as approvals allow
  • Coordinating storytelling and outreach more intentionally throughout the year

What will not change is the heart of the work we do. The GateHouse will continue to focus on long-term recovery, practical support, and the belief that people can rebuild their lives when given the right tools and community.

 

Thank You for Being Part of This Work

For more than half a century, The GateHouse has helped individuals restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit. That work continues because of a community willing to invest in people, not just programs.

As 2025 comes to a close, we move forward with gratitude and resolve. The need remains. The work continues. And together, we will help more people find stability, connection, and a path forward.

If you are able, consider supporting this work through a donation that helps ensure continued access to housing assistance, essential services, and long-term recovery support.

 

Open post Intensive outpatient program for addiction recovery at The GateHouse Lancaster PA

Intensive Outpatient Program: The Overlooked Phase of Recovery

When most people picture recovery, two images tend to come to mind: a highly structured residential program where every hour is accounted for, or the triumphant moment someone returns home ready to begin a new chapter. What often gets overlooked is the space in between. That’s the phase where individuals are no longer in full-time care, but still need consistent guidance and accountability.

It’s during this phase that outpatient services play a pivotal role. This important step allows people to continue building recovery skills while navigating the very real demands of work, family, and community life. At The GateHouse, outpatient care is a cornerstone of long-term success.

 

Why Outpatient Care Matters

Substance use disorder doesn’t disappear when residential treatment ends. The transition back into the community brings new challenges. There are temptations, stress, and the pressures of work and family.

Outpatient services act as a safety net, offering structure and professional support while allowing individuals to live at home and maintain their routines. This balance is often the difference between short-term progress and lifelong recovery.

In fact, studies show that 50% to 70% of participants in outpatient programs report continued abstinence from substances and better maintenance of their recovery, outcomes which are generally equivalent to those achieved in inpatient settings. Outpatient care gives clients the tools to practice what they’ve learned in treatment while staying connected to a support system.

Consider someone returning to a busy job after residential treatment. They may face stress from deadlines, questions from coworkers, and the pressure to perform well while still focusing on recovery. In outpatient care, they can bring these experiences to their group, talk through challenges with a counselor, and receive encouragement from peers who have faced similar struggles. That added layer of support can make the difference between staying steady in recovery and slipping back into old patterns.

 

Intensive Outpatient Program for Addiction Recovery: A Structured Step Forward

The GateHouse Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is ideal for individuals transitioning out of a highly structured residential program or for those who need more support than general outpatient treatment provides.

Clients typically participate in three to five group sessions each week, gradually tapering down to fewer sessions as stability grows. Along the way, they receive:

  • Individualized treatment planning
  • Family support and education opportunities
  • Relapse-prevention training
  • Life and job skills development
  • Access to community resources

With up to 10 hours of weekly treatment, IOP provides the structure and accountability people need to stay grounded while rebuilding their lives.

 

General Outpatient Care: Staying Connected

For those ready for a lighter level of support, The GateHouse’s general outpatient services keep recovery front and center.

In a group setting that fosters trust and encouragement, clients focus on relapse prevention, but also:

  • Coping strategies for daily life
  • Co-occurring mental health concerns
  • Ongoing 12-step involvement
  • Long-term recovery planning

These sessions are flexible and tailored to each client’s needs, offering the chance to maintain momentum without losing touch with community and support.

 

The Human Side of Outpatient Care

Beyond treatment plans and scheduled sessions, outpatient care at The GateHouse is about connection. Clients often describe their outpatient groups as a place where they feel understood, where victories are celebrated, and setbacks are met with encouragement instead of judgment.

It is in these group rooms that someone might share the joy of landing a new job, repairing a relationship, or marking six months of recovery. Others may open up about tough days at work or stress at home, knowing they will find support instead of criticism. This sense of belonging reminds clients that they are not walking the road to recovery alone.

 

A Place of Belonging

All outpatient services at The GateHouse take place at the Behavioral Health Outpatient Center on Cherry Street in Lancaster, PA. The facility is designed to be welcoming, supportive, and accessible, with multiple group times available to fit different schedules.

Here, clients find treatment, but also a community where they are understood, encouraged, and reminded that recovery is possible one day at a time.

 

Building Lifelong Success

Outpatient care is more than just a step down from residential treatment and transitional living. For many, it’s the bridge to long-term recovery, offering the chance to apply new skills in real-world settings without losing accountability and support.

At The GateHouse, outpatient services have been helping individuals in Central Pennsylvania restore their lives for more than 50 years. It’s not just about treatment—it’s about building resilience, strengthening relationships, and rediscovering hope.

Ready to take the next step? Contact The GateHouse today to learn more about outpatient recovery services and discover how we can support you or your loved one on the path to healing.

 

Open post Dan Schultz, GateHouse alumnus in long-term recovery

In Recovery, the Power of Community Starts with Connection

Recovery often begins in small, quiet moments. A nod across the room. A shared laugh after a group meeting. The simple act of being listened to without judgment. These everyday interactions can carry enormous weight for someone working to rebuild their life after struggling with substance use disorder.

At The GateHouse, those moments aren’t left to chance. They are part of our culture. Community is woven into every aspect of the recovery journey. From group meals and shared living spaces to structured programming and peer mentorship, connection runs through everything at The GateHouse. It’s the foundation that helps our clients move forward.

Whether it’s a sponsor offering a steady voice during a hard week or a fellow resident sharing a story that hits close to home, these relationships are often what carry people through. Over time, connection builds confidence, accountability, and, perhaps most important, a renewed sense of belonging.

 

Breaking Isolation, Building Belonging

Dan Schultz

Substance use disorder often thrives in isolation. Recovery, in contrast, grows stronger through shared experience. At The GateHouse, building community goes beyond placing individuals in group settings. It’s about creating spaces where each person is treated with dignity and supported with empathy.

“I felt safe there,” said Dan Schultz, an alumnus of The GateHouse who first entered the program in the early 1980s. “I knew if I stayed in Rochester, I would never have made it.”

Dan spent years caught in the cycle of alcohol use and legal consequences before arriving at The GateHouse. What he found was more than a structured environment. He found a group of people who helped him stay accountable while offering steady encouragement.

That’s what connection does. It anchors people in difficult moments. It replaces shame with shared purpose. It makes healing possible.

 

The Role of Mentorship and Sponsorship

Judy Bohner

Mentorship is a core part of the recovery journey at The GateHouse. Our programs encourage individuals not only to seek guidance from mentors and sponsors but also, when ready, to become one themselves. This creates a network of mutual support where growth flows in both directions.

Judy Bohner, who entered The GateHouse later in life, found strength through this model. Now in long-term recovery, she has spent more than two decades sponsoring others in her local recovery community.

“My AA home group has become my chosen family,” she said. “That connection changed everything for me.”

For many clients, the presence of a mentor is the first time someone consistently shows up for them without judgment or agenda. These relationships help normalize the ups and downs of recovery and offer reassurance that challenges don’t have to be faced alone.

 

Why Group Experience Matters

Jodi O’Reilly, Irene Mouchlizis, and Janice Potter

Recovery doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It is shaped and supported by the people around us. That’s why The GateHouse prioritizes group-based healing, whether through formal therapy sessions, shared living spaces, or peer-led support groups.

In these spaces, clients begin to see themselves in others’ stories. Vulnerability is met with compassion. Accountability is delivered with care. As trust builds, so does the belief that change is possible.

One of the people who helped set this tone was Janice Potter, a former Recovery Program Supervisor and alumnus of The GateHouse, who passed away in December 2022.

“She treated everyone with the same dignity, respect, tenderness, and empathy,” recalled Executive Director Jodi O’Reilly. “She was an advocate for every woman here and spoke the truth, even when it was tough.”

Janice’s approach reflected a deeper understanding. Shame is one of the biggest barriers to healing, and compassion has the power to dismantle it.

 

Summer Can Challenge Routine, but Community Helps

Summer is a season that naturally encourages spontaneity, travel, and breaks from routine. While that can feel freeing, it can also become destabilizing, especially for those in early recovery.

That’s why summer is a critical time to stay connected.

The GateHouse reinforces the importance of consistent routines and peer relationships, even during months that might feel looser or more chaotic. For those living in recovery, it’s less about restriction and more about reinforcement.

“I want the life I have today,” Dan Schultz said. “In early recovery, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed.”

His advice?

“Go to meetings,” he said. “Keep it simple. Stay close to the people who remind you why you started this journey in the first place.”

 

How Does Community Support Help Addiction Recovery?

David Morgan

Every path through recovery is unique. Some arrive at The GateHouse following multiple inpatient stays. Others come directly from detox or court-mandated programs. But for nearly everyone, the turning point involves connection.

David Morgan, a GateHouse alumnus, had already completed five treatment programs before arriving.

“I was beaten down,” he said. “I came close to death a couple times.”

At The GateHouse, David found something different: a peer group that challenged his ego, a counselor who helped him shift his mindset, and a community that welcomed him without pretense.

Those relationships helped him find stability and over time, helped him grow. Today, David continues to stay active in the recovery community, sponsoring others and building a life around service, accountability, and purpose.

“My whole life now revolves around the people I met in recovery,” he said. “And it’s a great life.”

 

A Culture of Connection

For more than half a century, The GateHouse has built a community where people in recovery find connection and structure. It offers a place to belong. From the beginning, its founders believed in the power of community. That belief still guides the organization today.

Former Executive Director Bruce Caldwell was known for helping clients not just through structure, but through relationship. When Judy Bohner applied for a job while at The GateHouse, Bruce personally advocated for her while also setting clear expectations with the employer. That combination of support and accountability helped Judy thrive and eventually led to her joining the board.

That’s the kind of leadership The GateHouse fosters. It invests in people, even when they are still learning to invest in themselves.

 

Staying Connected, Staying Grounded

Recovery is a process rooted in connection. It grows through structure, compassion, and the daily decision to keep showing up—for yourself and for others.

Here at The GateHouse, community is more than a value. It’s a lifeline. During seasons when routine may falter, staying connected through mentorship, group support, and daily structure can make all the difference.

The journey through recovery doesn’t have to be walked alone. In fact, it works best when it isn’t.

 

The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For more than 50 years, we’ve helped individuals restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps break the cycle of substance use disorder and put them on the path to lasting recovery. Whether you need outpatient services, transitional housing, or residential extended care, we’re here to help. Reach out to us today.

 

Open post Bryanna Adams reunited with her family after completing The GateHouse addiction recovery program in Lancaster PA

‘Giving Extra’ by Rebuilding a Life: Bryanna’s Recovery Story

Bryanna Adams knows how quickly substance use disorder can consume a life.

“I would have never imagined that I would have had to go through what I went through,” she said. “But in some crazy, weird way, it was meant for me to be in recovery.”

Today, at 26, Bryanna is three years into her recovery journey. She works for a treatment center, helping others find their way to recovery. But before she could help others, Bryanna had to find her own path – a path that led her to The GateHouse.

 

From Casual Use to Losing Everything

Bryanna Adams

Bryanna’s journey into addiction began like many others – casual use as a teenager that gradually deepened.

“I was always that person that wanted more and more and more of everything,” she said.

Growing up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Bryanna came from a good family with a promising future. She was a homecoming queen, played sports, and graduated from one of the best high schools in Pennsylvania. Not long after graduation, she started college, pursuing a degree to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

But beneath the surface, Bryanna was struggling.

“I always knew that there was something wrong,” she said, reflecting on her tendency to get into troubling situations even before her substance use escalated.

By her early 20s, Bryanna had dropped out of nursing school without telling her family. She moved in with a boyfriend, and her drinking and casual drug use began to increase. Soon, she met people who introduced her to harder drugs.

“I left my mom’s house,” Bryanna said. “I didn’t tell her where I was going. She had no idea that these types of things were happening.”

Bryanna found herself living with a dealer, caught in a cycle of addiction that included crack cocaine, MDMA (a.k.a. ecstasy or molly), and other substances. The once-promising student was now trapped in a world she never imagined for herself.

“It got really, really ugly, really, really fast,” Bryanna said. She lost touch with her family, engaged in dangerous situations, and even turned to prostitution to support her habit.

“I was in a lot of dangerous situations,” she said. “I could have lost my life plenty of times.”

 

The Turning Point: A Mother’s Love and a Judge’s Decision

Bryanna Adams recovery story familyAfter years of substance abuse and multiple attempts at rehab, Bryanna’s turning point came when she faced legal consequences for violating her probation. She had been on probation since 2018 for a minor charge unrelated to her drug use, but her addiction kept her from dealing with her legal obligations.

Bryanna’s mother, desperate to help her daughter, convinced her to attend a court date, knowing Bryanna might face jail time.

“May 2, 2021, I planned everything out,” Bryanna remembered. “I told my mom. I said, ‘Okay, I’m going to go to court. I’m just gonna get myself together and make it to court.'”

Knowing it might be her last chance to use, Bryanna got as high as she could before her mother picked her up.

“I don’t even remember getting in the car,” she said. “It was just like everything was moving in slow motion.”

The judge sentenced Bryanna to 98 days in York County Prison.

“May 3, 2021,” she said. “That was the last day I used anything.”

 

The GateHouse: A Foundation for Lasting Recovery

Bryanna Adams recovery story The GateHouseAfter completing her jail sentence, Bryanna was sent to a rehab facility for another 98 days. It was there that she first heard about The GateHouse.

“Everybody kept telling me about The GateHouse,” Bryanna said. “It was The GateHouse this and The GateHouse that. They kept saying how it was this incredible place.”

Intrigued by what she heard, Bryanna told her counselor she wanted to go to this long-term recovery program everyone was talking about.

When Bryanna arrived at The GateHouse, she found more than just a place to stay clean. She found a supportive community, guidance for building a career, and the tools to reconstruct her life.

“The GateHouse made me feel like a person again,” Bryanna said. “The sisterhood with the women that were there was amazing. To this day, I’m still in contact with the women I met there. We really bonded. We carried each other while we were in there.”

At The GateHouse, Bryanna began to face the many emotional challenges she had been avoiding.

“I think for me, it was just like, facing them demons,” she said. “I could not face all the hurt and the pain that I put myself through, that I put my family through… the guilt was so overbearing.”

The staff at The GateHouse provided the support and structure Bryanna needed to confront these challenges.

“They just pulled stuff out of me,” she said. “They didn’t allow me to fight them. They were like, ‘Listen, we’re here to save your life. We’re here to help you get back into society.'”

As Bryanna progressed through the program, she began to rebuild her life. The GateHouse helped her find employment, reconnect with her family, and establish a foundation in recovery.

“If it wasn’t for The GateHouse, I don’t know where I would be today,” she said. “They literally saved my life.”

 

A Life Restored: Giving Back and Moving Forward

Today, Bryanna works at a treatment center, using her experience to help others struggling with addiction. She’s rebuilt relationships with her family, found a supportive partner who is also in recovery, and is actively involved in Narcotics Anonymous.

Bryanna’s recovery journey has brought her full circle. Her grandfather also suffered from substance use disorder and she said she remembers attending NA meetings with him as a child, making coffee for the attendees. Now, when she goes to meetings in Harrisburg, people remember her from those days.

“It’s a weird thing,” Bryanna said. “It’s like I was meant to finish what my granddad started.”

Bryanna’s commitment to helping others is a direct result of what she learned at The GateHouse.

“I have so much to give,” she said. “These were the things that we were taught at the GateHouse; help the next person, be there for somebody else.”

With three years of sobriety behind her and a new life in front of her, Bryanna continues to grow and face her challenges with the tools she gained at The GateHouse.

“I still go to meetings, I still do my step work,” Bryanna said. “I’m very involved with my sponsor. I have a lot of support—like, a lot of support–in the community.”

As she continues to focus on her recovery, her work, and giving back to others, Bryanna knows how close addiction will always be to her. And even though the desire to use drugs will never truly go away, Bryanna can envision a world where it no longer dominates her life.

“I’m finally starting to get to a place where it’s not even my first thought,” she said. “And that’s a blessing.”

 

The Ripple Effect of Recovery

From the depths of addiction to a life of purpose, Bryanna’s recovery story illustrates the vital role that long-term, supportive recovery programs play in changing people’s lives.

But the impact doesn’t stop with Bryanna. Every life touched by addiction affects countless others – family members, friends, and the broader community. By helping individuals like Bryanna find lasting recovery, The GateHouse creates a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond its walls.

As we approach this year’s Extraordinary Give, your support can help The GateHouse continue to provide the foundation for lasting recovery to individuals like Bryanna. By giving extra, you’re not just supporting an organization – you’re helping to rebuild lives, reunite families, and strengthen our community.

Join us in ‘Giving Extra’ to The GateHouse during the Extraordinary Give. Your contribution can be the turning point in someone’s journey from addiction to recovery, just as The GateHouse was for Bryanna.

To support The GateHouse and help more individuals like Bryanna find their path to recovery, please visit our ExtraGive page on Nov. 22. Every gift, no matter the size, can make an extraordinary difference in someone’s life.

 

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