Dartmouth's Shocking New Addiction Center: Will It Save Lives or Spark Controversy?

CLAREMONT — Nearly two years after Valley Regional Hospital merged with the Dartmouth Health system, a new outpatient substance use treatment center is set to open its doors this Monday, marking a significant step in addressing the growing addiction crisis in the region.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office mandated that Dartmouth Health fund and operate an addiction treatment center at Valley Regional as a condition of the merger, which was approved in 2024. “We know that people can do extremely well if they have substance use disorders if they have access to convenient and timely care,” stated Dr. William Torrey, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, during the unveiling of the facility on Thursday.

Located at 7 Dunning Street, just off the main Valley Regional campus, the new center expands upon an existing program that has been successfully operating in Lebanon since 2006. According to Dr. Joanne Conroy, CEO of Dartmouth Health, about 35% of patients at the Lebanon clinic reside in Claremont.

Conroy emphasized that the new program illustrates Dartmouth's commitment to serving the Claremont community. “The program does combine the science of addiction care with the human touch of skilled psychiatrists,” she said.

The Lebanon clinic currently sees approximately 450 patients per month, and Dartmouth Health plans to accommodate around 150 patients in Claremont. Dr. Luke Archibald, section chief of addiction psychiatry at Dartmouth Health and overseer of both facilities, expressed confidence in the demand for these services, noting, “The truth is that there’s a tremendous need for addiction and mental health treatment everywhere; substance use disorders have no boundaries.”

Indeed, the urgency of this initiative is underscored by alarming statistics: from January to November 2025, Sullivan County recorded the second-highest number of drug overdose deaths per capita in New Hampshire, with Claremont leading the state's towns in overdose fatalities.

The Claremont clinic will employ about nine staff members, including licensed social workers, drug and alcohol counselors, and an addiction psychiatrist, among others. Patients will gain access to a variety of services, including therapy, peer support groups, medication-assisted treatment, and case management. The facility will also function as a satellite location for the New Hampshire Doorway, a state-run program that connects individuals experiencing substance use disorders with necessary resources.

Offering services like screening, treatment, and access to prevention resources, the Doorway program enables individuals to receive help within an hour's drive from anywhere in New Hampshire. In January, the Lebanon Doorway assisted 39 new clients struggling with substance abuse.

By establishing this clinic in Claremont, Dartmouth Health aims to break down the barriers of access that often hinder patients. Travel to Lebanon can be a significant hurdle for many individuals seeking help, and while transportation assistance is available for Medicaid patients, relying on others for transport can prove challenging and unreliable.

Despite some patients expressing a preference to continue treatment in Lebanon, Archibald anticipates many will transfer their care to the new Claremont facility, potentially encouraging more individuals who previously avoided treatment to seek help.

Community stakeholders like Shawn Cannizzaro, owner of Hope 2 Freedom Recovery Homes, are hopeful yet cautious about the new center's impact. “I can say go to The Doorway, it’s right down the street, but they have to make it, they have to want it,” Cannizzaro remarked. His recovery homes emphasize a structured, family-like environment, contrasting with some methods used in conventional treatment facilities. He expressed skepticism about approaches that rely heavily on medication-assisted treatment, asserting that true recovery often comes from personal commitment and willpower.

“Ninety-nine percent of our successful residents, they did it with their own willpower and strength, basically, with a little bit of support,” he added.

However, medication-assisted therapies such as methadone and buprenorphine have been shown to reduce opioid use and minimize overdose risks, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. While Cannizzaro acknowledges the usefulness of these treatments, he remains concerned about their potential to enable dependency.

The Doorway program offers financial support for recovery home stays, covering up to one month, but Cannizzaro points out the funding can discourage residents from seeking employment or continuing their recovery efforts. Payments are contingent on residents maintaining a seven-day stay, which can complicate financial assistance timing.

As the new treatment center opens in Claremont, both Dartmouth Health and local recovery advocates like Cannizzaro will be closely monitoring its impact. “We’re not threatening and yelling and screaming at people, but we’re not going to deal with the manipulation and the lying,” he said. By fostering a collaborative approach, he hopes to create pathways for recovery that honor both individual efforts and community support.