Renaissance Refuge, a women’s substance use disorder (SUD) treatment center in Heyburn, Idaho, offers critical addiction recovery services to women, even as the state’s overdose deaths have increased by more than 150% since 2012.
“This is a worrisome trend for our state, and we are anxious to get help to as many women as possible,” said Candice Hilton, Program Director for the Refuge. “Women often get addicted for different reasons than men, and the treatment methods that help them recover are different, too. Our goal is to provide the care and environment that will meet women where they are and help them move toward meaningful recovery.”
Renaissance Refuge’s parent company, Renaissance Ranch, has been providing addiction recovery services for men in Utah since 2001, winning the “Best of State” award for inpatient rehab facilities. Hilton, who was employed at the Ranch after overcoming her own drug addiction, persistently requested that the Ranch’s leadership let her open a women’s treatment center. The Ranch put their support behind Hilton, helped her build an amazing team, and Renaissance Refuge was born in 2023. In addition to its flagship residential treatment center for women, the Refuge now has women’s outpatient rehab centers and sober living facilities in both Burley and Boise.
Renaissance Refuge fills a significant need in Idaho, which the federal government recently designated a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. According to the Idaho Office of Drug Policy, Idaho residents ages 18-25 report a rate of substance use disorder that exceeds the national average.
Drug overdose deaths are rising, too. A report from the Idaho Statistical Analysis Center shows that between 2012 and 2022, the rate of these deaths rose from 5.5 deaths per 100,000 residents to nearly 14 deaths per 100,000. As of 2025, the majority of overdose deaths were caused by fentanyl. However, other drugs such as xylazine (commonly known as “tranq”) are gaining prevalence in Idaho. And unlike fentanyl, xylazine overdoses cannot be reversed with “opioid antagonists” like naloxone.
Idaho’s growing drug problem has been blamed on seepage from neighboring states (Washington and Oregon), where drug abuse rates are higher. Also, Idaho’s location along major corridors like the I-90 and I-84 makes it easy for drugs to flow into the state. Idaho’s rural isolation is another contributor because it tends to come with jobs that are low-paying and physically intensive. This can lead to high degrees of stress and chronic pain issues, respectively, both of which can catalyze drug use. But in spite of an increase in drug use in Idaho, the state reports a shortage of addiction recovery services, especially in rural areas.
According to Hilton, the holistic care provided by the Refuge’s drug and alcohol rehab centers for women is critical to addiction recovery. “Research shows that compared to men, women’s addiction is fueled by more intense co-occurring psychological issues, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Without intensive, immersive mental health therapies to address the thoughts and emotions behind addiction, it’s virtually impossible for most women to recover.”
The Refuge offers a 60-day inpatient treatment program and intensive outpatient services in a spiritual setting, addressing the physical, mental, and emotional needs of women in recovery. To learn more about Renaissance Refuge and its mission to help reverse rising drug addiction in Idaho, visit www.RenaissanceRefuge.com.
About Renaissance Refuge
Renaissance Refuge is a women’s treatment program within the Renaissance Ranch network, offering residential, outpatient, and sober living services that blend evidence-based and faith-centered care for lasting recovery. The program supports women in overcoming addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma in a safe, compassionate environment.
