Wellness services, restaurants, and shops enhance support networks and personal growth
SAN ANTONIO — Blue Heron Recovery has filled a void in San Antonio by establishing a sober community at the Los Patios campus. It offers professional outpatient treatment services through group and individual therapy while providing a safe environment for ongoing fellowship, fraternity, and personal growth for those with a substance abuse disorder.
Christie Varela Mayer, PhD., a licensed chemical dependency counselor and her husband Paul Tilson Mayer, MD, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, purchased the 18-acre Los Patios campus in January 2021. Their collective years of work experience identified a critical need in San Antonio, and their intent became a reality with the creation of a dynamic sober center to help those with substance use disorders break the cycle of addiction and actively pursue life with healthy habits and new interests.
“We saw Los Patios as a beautiful area to create a sober center and community of healthy living,” Christine said. “This is a place where people can come for therapy, but also stay and not worry about anything getting in the way of their recovery. Here they can take a yoga class, walk along the creek, go to a bookstore, grab a coffee, eat lunch, and go to an art exhibit.”
The Mayers purchased Los Patios to establish a private outpatient recovery program for people who want convenient treatment. The campus also provides a beautiful setting along the Salado Creek that is open to the public for wellness activities and services that promote a sober community without the inherent risks of relapse triggers associated with alcohol service.
“We often see that those who are new to recovery from addiction choose to stay away from restaurants and businesses associated with alcohol, and tend to withdraw from social opportunities and events,” Christine said. “We have collaborated with local businesses to provide an entire community without alcoholic offerings for everyone to work and play in a setting that is supportive of a healthy, sober lifestyle.”
Restaurants at Los Patios include Comfort Café, Gunslingers, Naco Mexican Eatery, and Olla Coffee Shop. The wooded campus also boasts a yoga studio, art gallery, jeweler, dress shop, medical clinic, and landscape architectural firm. Special event venues are available for rent.
“This is an environment free of drugs and alcohol so those working hard in recovery won’t have to worry about someone in their party ordering beer, margaritas or wine, because that can’t happen here,” Christine said. “The idea is to grow a community that reminds one another why we stay sober while making friends who are sober.”
ABOUT BLUE HERON:
Blue Heron Recovery is a professional rehabilitation and recovery service provider for those struggling with substance abuse disorders. Here, patients learn the skills necessary to break the cycle of addiction and engage in opportunities for ongoing fellowship and fraternity through healthy habits, new interests, and social skills. Located on an 18-acre park-like setting, treatment services include partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient program and outpatient therapy, surrounded by a sober community of restaurants, shops and wellness options to enhance support networks and personal growth.
