Addiction recovery in New Hampshire is facing a major setback. Easterseals NH & VT announced that the Farnum Center in Manchester, NH, one of the state’s largest inpatient facilities, will close its doors to new admissions after July 2025. For years, the Farnum Center has been a cornerstone of treatment in the region, offering detox, residential care, and transitional support. Its closure raises urgent questions about access and the future of addiction care.
Why the Closure Matters
As one of the few inpatient options for people in acute need, the Farnum Center served thousands each year. Without it, New Hampshire risks longer wait times and fewer beds for those in crisis. Addiction doesn’t wait, and when treatment isn’t available right away, lives can be lost. Advocates fear many will slip through the cracks if alternatives aren’t created quickly.
Easterseals cited financial pressures and staffing shortages as reasons for the closure. Outpatient services will continue, but many note outpatient care is not a substitute for people in need of 24-hour support. Detox and residential treatment often serve as lifelines for people at rock bottom, and without those beds, families may be left scrambling.
Impact on Families and Recovery
For many in recovery, the closure feels personal. Alumni describe the Farnum Center as the place where they found hope when everything else seemed lost. Former clients recall compassionate staff and transformative care. Losing that resource isn’t just about numbers—it’s about losing a place that carried countless people through their hardest moments.
State officials have acknowledged the problem and are exploring solutions. Some call for opioid settlement funds to be directed toward inpatient care. Others argue the closure highlights the need to strengthen the continuum of services, from prevention to aftercare, so no single facility carries too much responsibility.
A Workforce Crisis in Addiction Treatment
The closure also spotlights the workforce crisis in addiction treatment. Providers across the state struggle to hire and retain counselors, nurses, and medical staff. Low pay, burnout, and the emotional toll of the work make staffing a constant challenge. Without addressing workforce issues, even well-funded facilities may remain unstable.
Still, advocates emphasize that New Hampshire has resilience. The state pioneered programs like “Safe Stations,” where firehouses serve as entry points for people seeking help. Community organizations continue to provide peer support, recovery housing, and harm reduction services. The question now is whether those networks can handle the greater demand left by Farnum’s closure.
For families, the news is painful. When a loved one struggles with addiction, time is critical. Delays in finding a bed or traveling long distances can mean the difference between life and death. Parents, spouses, and siblings who once counted on Farnum now face uncertainty about where to turn.
A Warning for Other States
The closure of the Farnum Center is more than a local story—it’s a warning for other states. Treatment infrastructure is fragile, often balancing on thin margins. When a major provider closes, the ripple effects are immediate and painful. It underscores the importance of diversifying services and ensuring backup plans.
At the heart of this crisis is a reminder: recovery is possible - but only if help is available at the right time. New Hampshire’s challenge will be to keep doors of hope open, even as one of its most trusted facilities prepares to close them for good.
Finding Hope in Recovery
Despite this news, hope still remains. Avenues Recovery Center operates two beautiful addiction treatment centers in New Hampshire – one in Dublin and one in Concord. If you or a loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, please reach out today to learn more about how we can help you.
You can find your way home today.