Executive Director Matthew Plache at recent staff meeting
White Horse Recovery’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is gaining recognition as a transformative approach to addiction recovery, combining 12 weeks of intensive group and individual counseling that has proven successful in helping clients reclaim their lives. However, the program’s innovative model faces sustainability challenges as insurance reimbursements fall significantly short of actual program costs.
The comprehensive IOP requires participants to attend three hours of therapy, three times per week, plus individual sessions—totaling 10 hours of clinical support weekly. This intensive approach, which costs approximately $12,000-$14,000 per client over the 12-week period, has demonstrated remarkable outcomes, including dramatically reduced recidivism rates and successful reintegration into families and communities.
“We don’t just save lives—we change them,” said Matthew Plache, Executive Director of White Horse Recovery. “When people complete our IOP program, they’re different people. They have their lives back, they’re no longer dependent on substances, and they have the tools and community support to sustain their recovery long-term.”
The program’s success extends beyond individual transformation. Recent data from the Carroll County jail shows that participants in White Horse’s recovery groups experienced a recidivism rate drop to just 30%. One recent graduate, who was facing a three-year prison sentence, completed the program and avoided incarceration entirely, now working toward employment and family reunification.
However, the program’s innovative intensity comes at a cost that is not fully covered by insurance. White Horse absorbs approximately $120 more per session than insurance reimbursements provide, creating an annual funding gap that has historically been supported through individual donors and county grants.
Recent reductions in county funding—from $150,000 to $100,000 over the past few years—have intensified the need for community support. “More than 95% of our IOP clients are Carroll County residents, and many are economically disadvantaged,” Plache noted. “We serve anyone regardless of their ability to pay because we believe everyone deserves access to recovery services.”
The program serves clients throughout Carroll County, with participants traveling from Bartlett, Conway, Jackson, Tamworth, Wakefield, and other communities to the Ossipee location. While alcohol remains the most common substance addressed, the program increasingly serves individuals struggling with opioid addiction, particularly fentanyl.
White Horse’s current Annual Fund drive aims to bridge these critical funding gaps, ensuring the IOP program can continue serving 6-8 clients at any given time while maintaining its high-intensity, personalized approach. The organization also provides additional services at no cost to taxpayers, including Smart Recovery groups at the county jail—a $70,000 annual value.
“Every person in addiction affects at least 10 others—employers, family members, friends,” Plache explained. “In a state where addiction and mental health challenges affect nearly 20% of the population, programs like ours provide hope and real solutions.”
Founded in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, White Horse Recovery has grown from a small organization into a leading nonprofit with 28 employees across four locations, providing both mental health and substance use disorder services.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. White Horse Recovery offers services for those ready to start their journey to recovery. For more information, call 603-651-1441, Ext. 1.