New Recovery Cafe Brings Hope to Toms River Community

Toms River residents struggling with addiction and mental health challenges now have a groundbreaking new resource with the opening of BrewGrounds Cafe, New Jersey’s first Recovery Network Cafe, as reported by Asbury Park Press, who was in attendance for the grand-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. The innovative establishment, whose name stands for Building Recovery, Empowering Wellness, opened its doors on May 5th at 954 NJ-166, creating a judgment-free space where individuals in recovery, their families, and community supporters can gather for connection and mutual support.

Unlike traditional treatment centers, BrewGrounds operates on a community-driven model that emphasizes belonging and social connection in a cafe setting. The establishment represents a significant advancement in local recovery resources for Ocean County, an area that has been particularly impacted by the opioid epidemic, offering a complementary approach to conventional treatment programs that addresses the often-overlooked aspects of social isolation and stigma in recovery.

Source: Bright Harbor Healthcare/BrewGrounds Cafe

First Recovery Cafe Model in New Jersey

BrewGrounds Cafe joins a growing nationwide network of similar establishments designed specifically to support individuals in recovery through a combination of community connection and peer support. As part of the Recovery Cafe Network, the Toms River location follows a model that has shown success in other states but is the first of its kind in New Jersey.

“This is about building community resilience,” explains a community advocate quoted in recent coverage about the cafe. “It’s about creating a space where people can show up as they are, share their story, and realize they’re not alone,” according to NewsBreak’s report on the opening.

The Recovery Cafe Network, which BrewGrounds has joined, consists of establishments across the country committed to creating drug and alcohol-free spaces that embrace and support healing. Each cafe follows core commitments that include nurturing accountability structures and working to end systemic inequality while maintaining spaces that honor all individuals regardless of background or circumstances.

Community-Based Approach to Recovery

BrewGrounds distinguishes itself from clinical treatment centers by focusing on the social aspects of recovery through peer support and community building. The cafe hosts recovery-based meetings, group events, and social gatherings in an environment where conversations about mental health and addiction recovery are normalized and celebrated.

This community-based approach addresses a critical gap in traditional recovery services. While clinical treatment programs focus on medical stabilization and therapeutic intervention, BrewGrounds provides the crucial ongoing community support that many individuals need to maintain long-term recovery.

The cafe’s approach aligns with growing recognition in the recovery field that social connection plays a vital role in sustained sobriety. Recovery Cafes like BrewGrounds create what one national recovery organization describes as “a refuge of care with evidence-based addiction support and love” where individuals can find support whether they are “in crisis, newer to recovery, in long-term recovery, after a relapse, during a difficult life change, or mental health transition,” according to the national Recovery Cafe organization.

Coffee Shop Setting Reduces Recovery Stigma

Unlike clinical facilities focused on treatment, BrewGrounds utilizes a coffee shop atmosphere to normalize conversations about recovery and mental health. This innovative approach creates a welcoming environment for individuals at all stages of their recovery journey, from those newly seeking sobriety to those in long-term recovery.

The cafe’s casual, accessible setting contrasts sharply with the clinical environments often associated with recovery services, potentially reducing barriers for individuals hesitant to seek traditional help. By operating as a cafe first and recovery space second, BrewGrounds helps integrate recovery into everyday community life rather than separating it as a clinical experience.

A distinguishing feature of Recovery Cafes is their use of “Recovery Circles” – small, peer-led accountability groups that provide consistent support. These circles create structure and belonging for individuals at all stages of recovery, whether they’re just beginning their journey, maintaining long-term sobriety, or working through a relapse.

Grand Opening Celebrates New Beginning

The cafe celebrated its grand opening with an event titled “Espresso Yourself: Brewing Change, Breaking Down Stigma” on Monday, May 5th. The celebration featured opportunities for community members to explore the space, connect with others, and learn about local recovery resources through a provider fair.

The name “BrewGrounds” cleverly plays on the dual meaning of brewing coffee and building foundations for recovery, reflecting the establishment’s mission to create a welcoming space centered around community connection rather than clinical treatment. By bringing together individuals with shared experiences in a coffee shop setting, the cafe helps reduce the isolation that often accompanies recovery journeys.

As the first establishment of its kind in New Jersey, BrewGrounds could potentially serve as a model for similar cafes throughout the state if successful, offering a blueprint for how communities can create dedicated spaces supporting recovery, wellness, and connection for residents of all ages.

Recovery Resources in Ocean County: