Rage rooms, escape rooms as addiction treatment

A nonprofit that operates intensive outpatient counseling and a methadone clinic for people experiencing homelessness and those with addiction and mental health disorders is expanding in Albuquerque’s International District. 

On July 1, State of the Heart Recovery is set to add a barber school and rooms for “experiential experiences” — like an escape room, paint splatter room and a rage room — for its clients. However, the new ventures will require some facility shuffling.

News of the impending activity has some residents concerned that another methadone clinic is being planned, but State of the Heart officials said that’s not the case.

The group’s counseling services, located at 6700 Central Ave. SE, will move into a newly leased space at 601 San Pedro Dr. NE — on the second floor of the Albuquerque Barber College. State of the Heart founder and executive director Paul Chavez said 4,000 square feet of the 8,000-square-foot space will be used for the experiential rooms.

“You put your canvases on the walls and you’re throwing paint on there and using paint guns,” said Chavez. “It’s something really fun to do. It’s immersive. I feel like it’s therapeutic.”

Chavez said the rage room allows clients to “get energy out” by smashing old TVs and other items. In escape rooms, participants are “locked in” and have to solve puzzles within a certain amount of time to successfully exit. Chavez said the rooms will be run by his “highest functioning clients” and eventually open to the public.

Meanwhile, State of the Heart’s barber school will operate in the former counseling building at 6700 Central. All three of Chavez’ facilities, including the methadone clinic at 203 California St. NE, are near to each other and located just west of the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds.

Job support

State of the Heart began its counseling services about four years ago and opened the methadone clinic not long after. Chavez said the idea for both was about six years in the making and that locating in the International District was no mistake.

“I wanted to utilize opioid treatment programs to revolutionize substance use, mental health and homelessness,” he said. “The International District is where you find people that have co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.” 

Chavez has a master’s degree in counseling from the University of New Mexico and is a licensed professional clinical counselor. He said clients come into his programs from the streets and shelters, after being incarcerated or discharged from hospitals, and from other opioid treatment programs. 

While Chavez said clients have always been offered access to laundry services, showers, meals and clothing, he wanted to do more with job readiness programs. State of the Heart offers a three-to-five year program for clients to become New Mexico-certified peer support workers — a path where those in long-term mental health and/or substance abuse recovery help others through their own recovery process.

“This state appreciates the value of peer support workers,” Chavez said. “So once they have a few years of recovery behind them, they’re certifiable and can deliver that service.” 

Chavez said the peer support workers are offered positions at State of the Heart for up to $30 an hour.

“But we don’t push employment too early,” he said. “The first job is self awareness, self empowerment, emotional and mental training.”

Now, clients will also have access to a one-year program at the barber school.

“I wanted to start Route 66 Barber School and offer haircuts and hairstyling,” Chavez said. “Clients can have a job readiness opportunity and customers can get their hair done.”

Chavez said he recently formed a relationship with Albuquerque Barber College owner Pierre Gonzales and got advice about the idea. That’s when he learned about the space that was available to move the counseling services and stand up the experiential rooms.

‘It’s not a not in my backyard issue’

Chavez said he was understandably met with resistance by some Fair West neighborhood residents when the methadone clinic opened, so he’s done more outreach in advance of the July 1 expansion.

“I went to the neighbors and knocked on their doors and introduced myself. People have been pretty rational and curious,” Chavez said. “I would say it’s been less than six people that were difficult to talk to because they’re so defensive and so angry and so filled with fear that you can’t have a conversation with them.”

Nick Hamill, the Fair West board president, has been in communication with Chavez and recently invited him to an association meeting where he talked with residents and some business owners about his plans. Hamill said he intends to stay connected with Chavez and organize more meetings, including one scheduled for June 15.

Chavez said he’s been encouraged about most of the feedback.

“Most people understand that it’s not a not in my backyard issue, it’s in the front yard,” he said. “We’re in the International District. These issues are in the front yards of everybody. I don’t think I have to spend too much energy describing that reality.”