Through recovery support programs and services, COSA-NCADD strives to not only enrich and enhance lives but save lives, reduce barriers to healthy choices and provide education and support to individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), their families and the community as a whole. COSA-NCADD’s Recovery Support Services Department serves people who have a history of alcohol and substance use disorders (SUDs) and who are in or seeking recovery, along with their family members and significant others. Recovery from SUDs involves a process of change in which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life and strive to reach their full potential. COSA-NCADD believes the following four major dimensions support a life of recovery:
Health: Overcome or manage one’s disease(s) or symptoms – and make informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being
Home: Have a stable and safe place to live
Purpose: Participate in meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteer opportunities, family care taking or creative endeavors, and have the independence, income, and resources to participate in society
Community: Enjoy relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
The following programs and services are currently available in Montgomery, Elmore, Autauga and Lowndes counties:
Community Outreach & Education
Recovering in Rural Communities
Alabama Opioid Assistance Project
What is Peer Recovery Support?
Peer Recovery Support is the act of people who have had similar experiences with substance use disorders giving each other encouragement, hope, assistance, guidance and understanding; all which aids in recovery. It can be done anytime or anywhere when two or more peers are in a mutual, supportive relationship.
What are Peer Recovery Support Services?
As the words imply, Peer Recovery Support Services are designed and delivered by people who have experienced both a substance use disorder and recovery. These services:
- Range of non-clinical services to facilitate the process of recovery and holistic wellness
- May be provided prior to, during or after treatment to an individual and/or a family member of an individual with a substance use disorder
- Can be provided in an individual or group setting
- Can be led by a Certified Recovery Support Specialist
- Capitalize on the desire among many in recovery to “give back to their communities by providing services to others as volunteers
Characteristics of Peer Recovery Support Services:
- Builds on individual’s resilience and capacities rather than providing services focused primarily on correcting their deficits, disabilities, or problems.
- Emphasis is on uncovering, reaffirming and enhancing the abilities, interests, knowledge, resources, aspirations and hopes of individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Understand there are many pathways to recovery
- Self-directed care
- Encourage Advocacy
- Promote wellness principles and Self-care
Peer Recovery Support Specialist Opportunities at COSA-NCADD
Since 2010 COSA-NCADD has utilized Peer Recovery Support Specialist to provide services to individuals in recovery. Currently, Specialists are conducting new client in-takes, completing community referrals, facilitating group meetings, conducting training and implementing prevention and recovery programs.
For more information about joining COSA-NCADD as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, contact Pat Brown at 334-262-7477 or pbrown@cosancadd.org
Are you interested in becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist in Alabama?
In Alabama a Certified Recovery Support Specialist is a person in recovery from substance use disorder, working within an agency or organization, who has been trained to use their personal recovery story to assist others in developing their personal plan for recovery. This person must meet the Alabama Department of Mental Health’s requirements to provide peer supportive services.