Weston, MA Surrounded by staff, partners, and advocates, the team behind Charles River Recovery officially cut the ribbon and welcomed patients to its new 110-bed substance use treatment facility. Charles River Recovery’s mission is to provide high-quality, evidence-based treatment informed by the evolving physical, mental and spiritual needs of patients, and delivered in an environment that fosters compassionate care.

Led by CEO Laura Ames, who brings over 30 years of experience leading substance use treatment and long-term care facilities, this locally based team is driven to help others successfully access safe, compassionate, and effective treatment to manage their long-term recovery. The team’s mission is fueled by their personal experiences with substance use and how the opioid epidemic has impacted their loved ones and communities.

“There is a mission here that I absolutely agree with, which is helping provide the highest quality care and knowing that treatment really works” said Ames. “Recovery is possible and we’re going to be able to help a lot of people in the Boston local area.”

According to the most recent report released by the Massachusetts Public Health Council, opioid overdose deaths increased by nearly 9% compared to 2020, with 2,290 Massachusetts residents fatally overdosing. Officials say that barriers to treatment and demand outpacing accessible resources, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, has exacerbated the ongoing mental health and opioid crises across the Commonwealth. Charles River Recovery sets out to combat this increase by providing a nurturing space for treatment using evidence-based data, Ames and her team of local experts will focus on advancing the medical understanding of addiction to help their patients overcome their dependencies and lead healthier lives.

Leading the medical team is chief medical officer Ximena Sanchez-Samper, a certified addiction psychiatrist who has over a decade of experience in treating adults of all ages with mental health and substance use disorders.

“In the past 20 years since I became an addiction psychiatrist, it has been extremely important for me to support my patients, their families, and loved ones through their recovery process,” said Sanchez-Samper, MD. “I truly enjoy doing that every single day. It’s why I get up in the morning.”

Joining Ames and her medical professional team is George “Slaine” Carroll, one of Boston’s most notable rappers and acclaimed actors, who will serve as chief community relations officer. Carroll has a strong reputation in the community for his commitment to supporting thousands of individuals in their recovery. Using his experience with addiction, he understands the supports patients need from a recovery facility.

“At the end of the day, it’s about recovery, it’s about rebuilding these relationships and being able to walk through life with dignity” said Carrol. “Seeing people put their lives and families back together… that’s what I like to see, to have relationships restored with their children, to be able to carry forward and live a happy, purposeful life without drugs and alcohol.”

Charles River Recovery is located at 75 Norumbega Rd. Accessible at the intersection of I-90 and I-95, the facility has been renovated from the previous Wingate Senior Living Residences. The facility features 44 detox beds, 66 clinical stabilization beds, single and double rooms, creative art spaces, a music center, fitness center and a theater room among other amenities.