For most Vineyarders, driving off the ferry back onto the Island is a moment filled with excitement or a sigh of relief. But for those returning from detoxification units for alcoholism and addiction it is a time of temptation and anxiety.
Martha’s Vineyard leads the State in unhealthy alcohol consumption (Vineyard Gazette, March 28, 2013) but Martha’s Vineyard is also a leader in helping people gain long term recovery through its sober living facilities. The Vineyard House plan to build a new and expanded sober house campus is a very strong statement that the entire community will come together to support individuals who are ready to recapture their lives.
In 1997, Vineyard House opened its doors for the first time. Last
week the organization added more doors, closing on the purchase of a
third house.
Like its first two homes, the Oak Bluffs house will serve as a place
where Islanders can recover from drug and alcohol addictions and begin
rebuilding their lives on the Vineyard.
In the two years before Vineyard House opened, there were two dozen
alcohol and drug-related deaths on the Island. The founders of the
nonprofit sober house never did a formal needs survey - the need
seemed clear enough. There was a cavernous gap in health services
between the hospital's three-day detox and the return to everyday
life.
All are welcome at a free New Year’s Day Yoga Class to benefit the Vineyard House, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the the Yoga Collective at Island Cohousing, 11 Rock Pond Road in West Tisbury.
Join Jane Norton and Mollie Doyle to start the year right in both body and karma.
For directions and more information, visit theyogacollectivemv.com.
Vineyard House, a public charity that provides housing for Islanders in early recovery from substance abuse, held its annual general meeting and officer elections Jan. 23. Mark Jenkins will remain in place as president of the board of directors, and will serve alongside co-vice presidents Beth Toomey and John Early, treasurer Brian Mackey and clerk Pat Gregory. Tim Dobel, Janina Kean and Sheila Shapiro will continue as additional board directors for 2012.
