Wellness & Recovery is why.
The Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA) is a leading provider of culturally congruent support services for individuals on the journey from mental health and/or substance use challenges to health, wellness, and recovery.
For 26 years, we’ve been at the forefront of providing life-saving, peer-to-peer support — support that’s personalized, evidence-based, and aimed at achieving long-term wellness.
APAA began as a small operation with a handful of volunteers in 1998. Today, we have a footprint across North Texas serving individuals in Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall Counties.
APAA is a Recovery Community Organization, accredited with the Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support Services (CAPRSS). CAPRSS is the only accrediting body in the United States specifically for recovery community organizations (RCOs) and other programs offering addiction peer recovery support services.
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Accreditation is an intense and intensive process that looks at seven areas (called domains):
• Recovery Principles, Culture and Climate
• Ethical Framework for Service Delivery
• Peer Leader Development
• Peer Supervisor Development
• Governance and Program Oversight
• Management Systems
• Peer Support Capacity: Core Competencies
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• RCO’s, their staff and programs always focused on recovery first
• RCO’s gear their services to all people. Their programs and services reflect cultural diversity and inclusion
• Decisions are made through the participatory process from the staff, stakeholders, partnerships, and individuals receiving services
• RCO’s run on the peer-helping-peer model
• Programs allow for leadership development in staff, volunteers and individuals receiving services
• All programs, services, communications and policies are strength-based
• All programs and services encourage individual autonomy and choice
Peer Support works. Here’s why.
3.4M
$3,422,632 saved in healthcare costs
In total, recovery support services saved $3,422,632 in healthcare costs, representing a 72% savings in costs over 12 months.
54%
owning or renting their own living quarters after 12 months
Housing status improved with 54% of long-term coaching participants owning or renting their own living quarters after 12 months, compared to 32% at enrollment.
58%
Increased employment
Employment increased to 58% after 12 months from 24% at enrollment.
Peer Support
apaa is The 1st RCO in Texas to receive national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support Services
What is Peer Support?
Peer recovery support services are provided by people who have lived experience with a substance use disorder or a mental health challenge. They help individuals stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
What is a recovery community organization?
A recovery community organization (RCO) is an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery.
“We are the subject matter experts on recovery because we’ve experienced years of addiction and mental health.”
Joe Powell - President & Chief Executive Officer
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advocacy
Our lives prove that recovery is possible, and our stories inspire action. Join us in replacing misinformation with understanding, misperception with empathy, and denial with hope.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteering your time—whether you're in recovery from alcohol or substance use or you are a loved one of someone in recovery, you can share your time and talents in one of APAA’s programs.
Make a Donation
A donation of any amount will help APAA continue its life-saving work. Recovery support is an important job — but with your support, we’re up to the task. Make a tax-deductible donation today!