GONZALES, La. (WAFB) - There is progress being made in the opioid epidemic fight, and as overdose numbers slowly begin to fall, recovery centers are working to help save more lives. A new facility just opened its doors in Ascension Parish to help more people on the path to sobriety.
The Grove Recovery Center opened in Baton Rouge nine years ago after founder Denise Thibodeaux saw how great the need was, she then opened another facility in Sorrento.
"I saw a need, so I started a group and that group turned into three groups, turned into eight groups, turned into 13 sober living houses which we have," said Thibodeaux.
After three years of Ascension's in-patient campus, they have officially welcomed people to their new outpatient facility.
Thibodeaux says its access is a big part of staying sober.
"We always suggest that you continue your therapy after the 28 days because unfortunately, we are not magicians, we can't fix you in 28 days," added Thibodeaux.
In 2023, Ascension Parish had 24 overdose deaths which was down from 37 in 2022.
In East Baton Rouge last year there was 186 according to the EBR Coroner's website, down from 289 the year before. But experts say one overdose death is too many.
"We want to help them to be set up for success," said Danielle Garth, supervisor of the outpatient facility.
Garth says this is where they begin to learn how to live sober, balancing recovery with everyday life.
"It's huge being able to see them coming in, in the condition they're in, as I said earlier, becoming good mothers again, productive members of society, obtaining employment," added Garth.
Thibodeaux says having a location in the heart of Gonzales also gives people a chance to find them.
"We were led to this location for a reason, there is a stigma, there's a huge stigma around addicts and alcoholics, and it's such a mental health crisis and it's your neighbors, it's your family, it's your kids, it's your dad, we have to normalize it," explained Thibodeaux.
The facility is located on the corner of Burnside Avenue and Cornerview Road in Gonzales.
They offer day and night programs three days a week, three hours a day.
You can find more information on the program on The Grove Recovery Center website.
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