Benefits of a Small Recovery Center
- Danny Warner
- Apr 5, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 26

When it comes to addiction recovery, finding the right treatment center is one of the most critical decisions you'll make. The choice between a small or large facility can significantly impact the quality of care and your long-term success. We have the information you need to understand the unique benefits of choosing a smaller recovery center.
What are the main benefits of a small addiction recovery center?
The main benefits of a small recovery center include personalized care with a low clinician-to-client ratio, a strong sense of community that feels like family, and an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. These centers also ensure you won't get overlooked, helping you address the deeper issues behind addiction.
Ready to learn more about how a smaller, more intimate setting can lead to a more effective and lasting recovery? Keep reading to explore the many advantages, from forming real connections to receiving highly personalized support that you won't find in larger programs.
Chateau Recovery's intimate residential Utah treatment program has helped thousands overcome trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance use.
What Chateau Recovery Offers
Our holistic treatment center located in Utah’s Wasatch mountains provides lasting recovery because the treatment we offer is deeply personal. Our clinician-to-client ratio of 1:4 allows greater access to different therapeutic treatments and more one-on-one support.
At Chateau, treatments will not be limited due to overbooking. This allows for a wide range of possibilities that enable your treatment to be tailored to fit your needs without any snags. The time you get with our clinicians allows for more vulnerability, which means more effective treatment. The size of our recovery center creates an environment that fosters peer support and a strong therapeutic community.
This is also true for many small recovery centers across the nation. There are endless benefits to choosing a smaller recovery center over a larger one. Many might hesitate when choosing a smaller recovery center. The assumption is that smaller means more it is expensive; however, that is not always the case. Many of the smaller recovery centers can be affordable.
Only 16 Beds
Chateau only offers 16 beds which allows for our programming to focus on you as an individual, instead of treating you like you are just a number. There are plenty of benefits for smaller programs like ours. This article explains why you should consider a smaller program over a larger one.
It Feels Like a Family
The closeness of smaller recovery centers can feel more like a home and less like a facility. Larger recovery centers tend to feel a lot more like hospitals. Smaller recovery centers can focus more on comfort while you are going through extended withdrawal after detox.
The programs can give you the personal time needed to establish a relationship and express empathy for your situation. Many smaller treatment centers incorporate togetherness through activities and group therapy, allowing these bonds to grow.

Benefits of a Small Recovery Center: It’s Easier to Get to Know People
Some larger treatment centers can have as many as 50 other people getting treatment. A smaller group means it is easier to get to know people on a deeper level. This is true for the clients as well as the clinicians.
Group sessions can become more comfortable because you are likely to see those same people every day and learn more about them on a personal level. Getting to know people on a deeper level can help you build trust and feel more comfortable being vulnerable.
One of the main benefits of a small recovery center is the opportunity to form real connections. You are not just another face in the crowd but someone others come to know and care about. Getting to know people can also mean getting a chance to make lifelong friends, letting you expand your recovery network. You will not just be another face but an entire individual that people will be happy to see and get to know.
You Won't Slip Through the Cracks
A common reason why treatment is not successful for people who enter larger treatment centers is that their needs and mental health go unnoticed. Clinicians can accidentally overlook the underlying problems of a client due to the number of people they see every day. A larger group of clients can also allow someone to avoid addressing their deeper issues.
In a smaller recovery center, it is harder to hide behind someone. The attention is on you, and it is easier to receive deeper one-on-one support from professionals. You can receive that vital one-on-one attention and address the deep-seated issues that are causing addiction. At a larger treatment center, you run the risk of relapsing because you have the potential to avoid taking care of your deeper problems. In a smaller treatment center, that is not a concern.
Your Needs Are Addressed as an Individual
Another downside of larger recovery centers is that they tend to have a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach. This is due to their large size and the number of patients they receive. Larger treatment centers typically also do not have as many resources to consider you as an individual. As a result, your specific situation is likely to be ignored, and you can end up being just a number.
A smaller treatment center can look at your background to tailor a treatment plan that is right for you. They can look at what you enjoy, how you think, and what you struggle with the most. From there, the center can develop a strategy to make sure you get the most out of treatment. This also allows clinicians to adjust the treatment strategy if it does not seem to be working, rather than ignoring the signs and continuing treatment without changes.
It Forms a More Tight-Knit Alumni Community

Inside treatment, you form a strong support system that keeps you going despite the hardships you might face. Outside treatment, you become a part of a close addiction recovery community as well. Chateau values alumni support, as well as continued aftercare.
Our alumni are still present in our community to help others going through recovery. This includes those who still attend group sessions, receive therapy, and attend mindfulness and resiliency training classes.
The size of our recovery center allows us to not only stay engaged with you while in residential treatment, but also with our alumni, meaning you will have our support even after receiving treatment. Continued support is vital after recovery because sobriety is a lifelong effort. A closer community allows for our clients to lean on their community when things become difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions:
• What is the clinician-to-client ratio at a small recovery center?
Small recovery centers often have a low clinician-to-client ratio, such as 1:4, which allows for more one-on-one support and greater access to different therapeutic treatments.
• How does a small recovery center feel different from a large one?
A small recovery center is designed to feel more like a home and less like a hospital, with a focus on comfort and a more intimate, family-like environment.
• Is it true that smaller recovery centers are more expensive?
No, that's not always the case. The assumption that smaller means more expensive is incorrect, as many smaller recovery centers can be quite affordable.
• Can I build a strong support system at a small recovery center?
Yes, the small size makes it easier to get to know people on a deeper level, allowing you to form real connections, build trust, and make lifelong friends.
• Do you still receive support after leaving the treatment center?
Yes, a tight-knit community makes it easier for centers to stay engaged with alumni. Continued support and a strong alumni network are vital for long-term sobriety.
After learning about the unique benefits of a smaller, more personalized approach to recovery, we encourage you to take the next step with us. Our team at Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center is committed to walking alongside you on your journey. We understand that taking this step can be difficult, but we are here to offer the support and guidance you need to achieve lasting recovery. We've built our program around the belief that you are an individual, not just a number, and we're ready to tailor a treatment plan that's right for you. If you're ready to experience a recovery that feels like family, contact us today at (435) 222-5225. We are here to help you get started on your path to wellness.

About The Author
Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.
Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.