Meeting People Where They Are: Why Peer Support Matters in Addiction Recovery
By: Frank Montesano, NCPRSS, RCP, CPFS, Healthcare and Outreach Program Manager, SRC, and Jason Dozier, Rural Peer Recovery Coach, SRC
When I think about what it means to support recovery in rural communities, the first phrase that comes to mind is showing up. In many of the towns we serve, formal treatment options are few and far between. Transportation is limited, wait times are long, and too many people end up relying on the emergency room, first responders, churches, or small community centers when they need help.
Stigma can run deeper in small towns, where everyone seems to know everyone. That’s why a confidential, judgment-free peer connection matters so much. It gives people room to breathe, room to talk, and room to choose a path forward without fear of who might find out.
We set up pop-up coaching hours at trusted community sites, tables at local events, and step into the spaces that make sense for each town. We call it a “no wrong door” approach: wherever someone walks in, we’re ready to help.
Personal, Practical, and Trust-Based Support
Our role isn’t clinical. It’s practical, personal, and grounded in trust. We help people navigate resources, set goals, and keep moving forward when distance, cost, or technology gets in the way. We provide warm handoffs from ERs and first responders, safety planning, naloxone, and ongoing follow-up by phone or in person. When someone needs support with transportation, documentation, or recovery pathways, we stay with them until that barrier feels smaller. When local options are limited, we coordinate with telehealth to make sure the next step is measured in minutes, not miles. In rural communities, those small adjustments can be the difference between giving up and giving change a chance.
A Neighbor’s Journey: Building a Custom Recovery Pathway
In rural communities, the strength of recovery often comes from connection—neighbors showing up for neighbors. One recent experience reminded me why this work matters
so deeply. A partner agency reached out about a resident from a small southern Colorado town who was seeking support. During our first phone call, I offered a simple overview of our peer support program. They immediately expressed interest and scheduled an in-person meeting.
When we met, they shared a story that had shaken them: a welfare check initiated after they arrived at a school pickup under the influence of alcohol. No charges were filed,
but the moment prompted honest reflection. Shortly after, child welfare contacted them. Rather than avoiding the situation, they invited the caseworker into their home. “I have nothing to hide,” they told me.
Confidential Peer Support Was the Right Choice
They spoke candidly about how alcohol was affecting their life and expressed a clear desire for change. They had tried a faith-based recovery group before, but the small-town familiarity made participation uncomfortable.
“Everyone knows everyone,” they said. Together, we explored alternatives—recovery pathways aligned with their values, lifestyle, and privacy needs.
Developing a Solid, Step-by-Step Plan
Over several sessions, they developed a structured, sustainable recovery plan. They requested weekday check-ins for accountability and researched a remote breath monitoring device. They scheduled a full substance use assessment, explored weekly testing options, and completed an intake with a local counseling clinic. They also took practical steps toward long-term stability, including inquiring about a healthcare certificate program at a nearby community college.
Navigating Family and Work Stress
Life didn’t slow down to make room for recovery. Parenting schedules shifted, family tensions surfaced, and communication with a coparent became stressful. In coaching, we returned to what remained within their control: communicating with intention, setting healthy boundaries, and taking the next right step. They avoided negative talk about the other parent and connected with a low-barrier legal aid program for guidance on their parenting plan.
Developing a Solid, Step-by-Step Plan
There were meaningful victories, too. At work, they were unexpectedly interviewed for a promotion. They later told me, “Put me in; I am ready to learn.” They stayed consistent with sessions and accountability tools and celebrated two sober weeks with no cravings and a better mood. A particularly powerful moment came during a conversation with their youngest child about forgiveness. “It’s a conversation I will remember,” they said.
They also celebrated reaching 56 days in recovery—a milestone that reflected their
commitment. One of their goals for the week was simple but meaningful: using the
community’s Laundry Love resource to get their laundry done and maintain a sense of
order and dignity at home.
Why Rural Peer Support Endures
Today, this neighbor continues to engage in coaching, practice new coping skills, show up for counseling, and rebuild confidence at work and at home. Their progress is steady, grounded, and self-driven—one choice at a time. Their story underscores why rural peer support is so powerful: trust built through conversation, healing supported by community, and recovery defined not by perfection but by persistence.
*Details have been changed for privacy while preserving the spirit of the experience.
