As Program Director for the Renaissance Refuge women’s substance abuse treatment center in Idaho, Candice Hilton draws on her own path to recovery to help clients.
Heyburn, ID (PRUnderground) May 25th, 2026
Candice Hilton lost years of her life to heroin. Today, Hilton, who serves as the Program Director for the Renaissance Refuge women’s addiction recovery center in Heyburn, Idaho, finds deep purpose “witnessing miracles” as she helps women overcome their own addictions.
Hilton started smoking weed in elementary school. From there, it was a slippery slope into serious addiction, with heroin as her drug of choice. Her addiction led her down devastating paths. She was abused and became homeless. Her 5’9″ frame withered to 90 pounds, and she was covered with scabs and scars from digging into her skin during periods of extreme psychosis. That’s when she discovered Narcotics Anonymous, and everything changed.
“From the moment I walked into the room, I knew I was home,” said Hilton. “I knew I had found a family. You share your deepest, darkest stories, the most horrible things you’ve done in your life. You share it with a bunch of strangers who still welcome you home. Once I got introduced to real recovery, it saved my life. It gave me a purpose and something to fight for.”
After “fighting” her way to sobriety, Hilton took a job in Utah with Renaissance Ranch, a men’s drug abuse treatment center, and began asking C.E.O Tyson Dixon to let her start a women’s counterpart. In 2023, Dixon agreed to open the faith-based Renaissance Refuge rehab for women, and Hilton stepped into her dream job.
“There’s something about it. Most people go through their entire life and do not witness any miracles. I started seeing real miracles day after day,” said Hilton. “The most spiritual moment to me ever is watching somebody walk through the doors, and they’re literally zombies with graying skin, no soul in their eyes. Just completely walking dead. But there’s a moment when somebody starts to get it. They start to buy into this recovery. You watch them come to life in that moment. You see the soul return to their eyes. You see the color return to their skin. That moment is why I do what I do. It’s a miracle right before your eyes.”
Renaissance Refuge offers a two-month residential rehab program for women in Heyburn. That is followed by eight months of intensive outpatient treatment, with the option to live at the Refuge’s sober living facilities in Burley or Boise, Idaho. Clients participate in the 12-step addiction recovery program along with group and individual therapy to address the issues underlying their addiction. These issues may include PTSD, anxiety, or depression. The program also offers counseling groups and classes on family relationships, financial management, and vocational skills, giving women the tools to succeed without the crutch of drugs or alcohol.
Like Hilton, most staff members at Renaissance Refuge are in recovery, allowing them to better understand and guide clients to recovery. The program comes with a lifetime guarantee; women who relapse can return to the program free of charge. It also offers lifetime access to the Sober Sisters alumni group. To learn more, visit RenaissanceRefuge.com or call (855) 736-6285.
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.
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Original Press Release.
