What Are the Four Pillars of Recovery? A Look at Peer Support and Professional Care in NH

Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s layered, evolving, and deeply personal. For some, healing begins in a detox program. For others, it starts in a church basement, a therapist's office, or a conversation with someone who's been there. In New Hampshire, there’s a growing recognition that recovery is strongest when it’s built on four key pillars: Health, Home, Purpose, and Community.

These pillars come from national recovery models and are fully embraced by our state’s Department of Health and Human Services. But how do they show up in real life? And how do roles like Certified Recovery Support Workers (CRSWs), LADCs, and MLADCs fit into this work?

Let’s break it down—and give you a clearer picture of how to access support, whether you’re seeking help for substance use, mental health challenges, or compulsive addictions like porn, sex, gambling, or internet use.

Health: Healing the Whole Person

Recovery doesn’t just mean stopping a behavior—it means creating the conditions where wellness can grow. Through Liberty Counseling prides itself on having a mission and vision that is structured around holistic health. That’s the essence of the first pillar: Health.

In the context of addiction recovery, health means learning how to manage emotional triggers, building coping strategies, and treating underlying mental health conditions. It also means tending to physical needs—sleep, nutrition, and nervous system regulation.

CRSWs are trained to walk alongside people in early recovery. They offer non-clinical support grounded in lived experience. Whether it’s helping someone get to a medical appointment or just holding space after a tough week, they model stability and remind people: You’re not alone.

On the clinical side, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) and Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (MLADCs) provide more clinical services, like psychotherapy, substance use evaluations, and formal treatment plans. This is not to say the scope of the LADC/MLADC is limited to these, but this is more of a nutshell explanation.

At Through Liberty Counseling, we specialize in blending clinical excellence with holistic care. That might mean integrating trauma-informed therapy, DBT skills, or even ear acupuncture to support nervous system regulation.

Home: Creating Safe and Stable Living Conditions

You can’t heal as effectively in chaos. That’s why the second pillar—Home—matters so much.

This pillar is about more than having a roof overhead. It’s about cultivating a space that’s safe, supportive, and sustainable. For many in early recovery, that might mean navigating housing programs, transitional living, or simply finding a calm place to stay sober.

CRSWs are often the bridge to these resources. They know the shelters, sober homes, and housing programs across New Hampshire. They help clients understand the process and provide encouragement along the way.

As clinicians, LADCs and MLADCs may help individuals explore the deeper patterns that lead to instability—cycles of codependency, trauma histories, or untreated mental health concerns. And they often collaborate with CRSWs to ensure clients are surrounded by the right support systems.

If you’re looking for therapy in Bedford, NH, our team understands the interplay between emotional and environmental stability. We work with you (and often with peer supports) to address both the inner and outer barriers to healing.

Purpose: Rebuilding a Life That Matters

Recovery opens the door to purpose—rediscovering who you are and why you’re here.

Whether that’s going back to school, reconnecting with family, exploring spirituality, or starting a new job, purpose is the fuel that keeps recovery moving forward.

CRSWs often play a coaching or mentoring role here. They cheer clients on, help with goal setting, and encourage progress, no matter how small. They may also run groups or community classes that foster skill-building and self-esteem.

MLADCs and LADCs support this process from a therapeutic angle. That might include processing grief, shame, or trauma that keeps someone stuck. At Through Liberty, we often bring in values-based therapy, spiritual direction, and internal family systems (IFS) to help clients reconnect with their sense of identity and meaning.

When someone discovers that their life still holds purpose—even in pain—that’s where true transformation begins.

Community: Recovery Doesn't Happen Alone

Isolation is one of the greatest risks to recovery. That’s why the final pillar—Community—is all about connection.

Certified Recovery Support Workers thrive in this space. They walk with people into meetings, recovery centers, and mutual aid groups. They know what it’s like to feel broken and help others build relationships rooted in authenticity and hope.

New Hampshire is home to an incredible network of peer recovery organizations like:

• HOPE for NH Recovery

• SOS Recovery

• Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region

• Revive Recovery

• The Doorway at DHHS

These peer agencies offer everything from walk-in support to structured programming. CRSWs are often the heart of those services.

Clinicians like LADCs and MLADCs can also foster community—helping clients reconnect with family, navigate co-parenting, or build social confidence or even just address the barriers to doing so. At Through Liberty, we often coordinate care between therapists and peer supports, believing that healing is most powerful when it’s shared.

Which Role is Right for You—or Your Loved One?

If you're exploring services, it's helpful to know the difference in scope:

• CRSWs provide peer support and recovery coaching—but not diagnosis or therapy.

• LADCs are licensed to provide counseling and substance use treatment.

• MLADCs (like our clinicians at Through Liberty) are able to treat co-occurring mental health disorders and provide advanced clinical care.

Want to Learn More?

Whether you're looking for therapy in Bedford, NH or are curious about becoming a Certified Recovery Support Worker yourself, recovery is possible—and it’s more accessible than ever in New Hampshire.

The Four Pillars aren’t just a model. They’re a roadmap to a life that’s grounded, meaningful, and connected. If you’re ready to take a step toward healing, we’re here to walk with you.

If a more clinical approach is what you're seeking, Reach out to Through Liberty Counseling to learn more about our services or explore how our professional support can transform your journey.