Located in Beltsville, Maryland, Nick’s Place takes an innovative approach to recovery. Our programs are specifically designed to meet the needs of young men aged 20-26 who are working to overcome the disease of addiction.
Nick’s Place focuses on creating a healthy lifestyle through addressing relapse prevention with mental, physical, and spiritual education as well as participation in both a 12-step program and Nick’s Place in-house programs. Also additional resources are available, as Nick's Place is part of the Maryland Area recovery network with dozens of 12-step meetings available within the community. We recognize that positive peer support and developing friendships with like-minded people is key in order for our young residents to commit to a life of recovery.
Residents are encouraged to make Nick’s Place their "almost home" for the duration of their stay. The residents, often referred to as "Our Guys," work with the Nick’s Place staff in all areas of life. We empower our residents to learn a variety of skills to help them build and maintain a healthy lifestyle from personal health care, cooking and cleaning skills, budgeting and healthy spending practices to workplace ethics and the importance of community involvement.
With easy access to Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC by train or bus, employment opportunities are easily accessible and attainable for our residents.
Weekly One-on-One Session
Each resident meets with our Certified Peer Recovery Specialists to discuss personal goals, achievements, and progress through our five phases. This becomes a customized program for each guy’s needs. Topics include:
RECOVERY – 12-step program progress, sponsor relationship, network development, home-group commitment, service work, and length of time free from drugs and alcohol
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS – Status of relationships with housemates, co-workers, employers, intimate relationships, family, and recovery network
FINANCES – Program fee, budget and expense tracking, bank account statements, as well as establishing, reviewing and/or repairing credit
PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS - Our life skills program is tailored to the specific needs of each resident
MISCELLANEOUS – Doctors appointments, legal obligations, weekend visits and passes
Weekly Formal Relapse Prevention Education Program (RPEP)
The RPEP uses professionals and volunteers to provide a well-rounded curriculum to our residents.
Example topics include:
- Building Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, & Self-Discipline
- Family Dynamics in the Addicted Family
- Healthy Relationships
- Anger and Impulse Control
- Stress Management and Meditation
- Yoga
- Fitness Training
- Art Therapy
- Goal-Setting
- Story-Telling
- Music Therapy
- Team-Building
- Budgeting and Money Management
- Employment Practices – resume-writing, interviewing skills, qualities that make a good employee
RPEP participation is required for all residents. If a resident has transitioned out of Nick’s Place during a series, they are welcome to return and complete it.
Family Dinner Program
The Nick’s Place residents, staff , and visiting alumni eat a family-style meal together Monday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m. This time is used for discussions among Nick’s Place family members and staff. The topics are as follows:
- Monday: Where You At? – An open discussion to give each resident the chance to share where they are in their lives and in their recovery
- Tuesday: Grateful Tuesday (GratiTuesday) – An open discussion focusing on gratitude and the positive aspects of recovery. “A Grateful Addict Will Never Use”
- Wednesday: Get It Out! / Team Building – This time is reserved for our residents to talk with one another and present issues that they are currently dealing with and ask for guidance and help staying accountable. We also have fun games and “Ninja training” to teach Our Guys how to work together as a team.
- Thursday: Be the Teacher – Every week a resident is assigned a recovery-related topic to research so that they can prepare a lesson and present it to the Nick’s Place family. An open discussion follows.
Resident Requirements
Residents are required to:
- Participate in preparing for and cleaning up after dinner
- Perform assigned household chores including: washing clothes, making their beds and maintaining a clean, quality living environment
- Learn banking and budgeting practices; building, restoring and maintaining good credit; preparing employment applications and resumes
Goals:
- Residents remain drug and alcohol free and build a strong foundation for long-term recovery through actively participating in a 12-step program
- Prepare residents through life-management discussion and counseling to make good, sound decisions regarding employment, saving money, budgeting, and improving credit
- Prepare residents to deal with issues surrounding the workplace, family and other relationships
- Assist residents in managing expectations regarding family relationships
- Demonstrate how new, healthy friendships will help them sustain their recovery and lead healthier, happier lives
