Founders’ Message
In our capacity as Co-Directors of The New Direction, my wife Margaret and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to you and to briefly describe our program for recovering addicts and alcoholics.
Since 1977, the year we first opened the doors of our Catskill Mountain farmhouse to recovering alcoholics, Margaret and I have remained committed to the same basic philosophy for helping alcoholics and persons addicted to other drugs. The cornerstone of this philosophy has always been the Twelve-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
During their twenty-one day stay, guests at The New Direction are required to attend an A.A. meeting each night of the week, and upon leaving, every guest is provided with the name and phone number of an A.A. member in their home area to use as a contact. One very simple message is stressed here: People who make a commitment to A.A. tend to stay sober.
Guests attend daily in-house group sessions conducted both mornings and afternoons by our staff counselors, each session lasting approximately two hours. Guests are also afforded ample opportunities for individual counseling sessions during their stay.
Because we each feel it is vitally important to include family members of the alcoholic in our program, we encourage visits by family members every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Beginning at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, we conduct a seminar for the family which includes an explanation of the disease concept of alcoholism as well as an introduction to the Al-Anon Family program.
Our commitment to, and experience with, high-functioning alcoholics and addicts, many of whom are engaged in stressful occupations, has given The New Direction a special niche in today’s field of alcoholism recovery. While we recognize the proper role of larger, more institutionalized facilities, we have found our effectiveness is a result of our willingness to stay small… to stay very much a family in spirit.
We have built our reputation by continuing to offer the recovering person a highly structured, rigorous educational program at very affordable rates, along with generous portions of home-cooked food, peaceful surroundings, and a warm supportive atmosphere.
Sincerely,
Matt & Margaret Batson
Co-Directors, The New Direction