Over the last few years, more programs and/or avenues for substance abuse treatment services have become available for residents of southwest Arkansas. To know someone or know of someone who has struggled with addiction makes it all the more clear why providing multiple options for treatment has become a necessity for our community. That is why Southwest Arkansas Counseling & Mental Health Center (SWACMHC) recently added a new member to the team: Lindsey Wrinkle, a peer support specialist. The individuals in peer support are those with long-term recovery from mental illness and/or substance abuse who use their similar experiences to provide education, hope, healing, advocacy, self-responsibility, and empowerment to those beginning their own journeys into recovery.
Lindsey has been in recovery for almost five years and said she first heard about peer services from a friend. Upon researching the duties, responsibilities, and benefits of peer support, Lindsey said she knew instantly that this was what she was meant to do and quickly signed up for training. “Ever since I first began recovery, my desire has been to help people see that there is a way out of that life,” Lindsey says. “I’m here to walk alongside people wanting recovery and show them what it looks like. I provide various resources they may need to help with things like housing, jobs, getting to meetings or doctor appointments, basically anything that is a barrier to their recovery.”
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, of the 20.3 million adults living with substance abuse disorder (SUD) in America, only 3.7 million (18.2%) receive any treatment. That’s an astounding 80 percent of those struggling with substance abuse who do not receive treatment. Common reasons for not receiving services include cost, time, transportation, and fear of negative stigmas in the workplace or community.1 Plus, some patients just do not know how to navigate care systems or how to take those steps to maintain recovery. Lindsey assists with all of those services, as well as the navigation of multiple systems like housing, supportive employment, medical benefits, supplemental benefits, natural supports, and more.
Lindsey says there are multiple pathways to recovery (residential treatment, meetings, church, etc.) and her peers’ treatment plans are tailored individually to suit their needs. She is only an assistant to those pathways. “I don’t choose the pathway,” Lindsey says, “I just facilitate the travel plans, so to speak. They are the ones taking the steps so they choose what works best for them.” Lindsey says that while she is a part of the treatment team and can provide suggestions and advice, her role is that of a peer only. “I’m on the same level. I’m here to build a relationship and build trust so we can help them get better. And I will be here to help in any way I can.”
Peer support specialists wear many hats with many names. Lindsey says the most accurate characterization of her role is that of a change agent. “We show people that change is possible,” she says. Peer support specialists also share the following monikers:
a bridge builder, who promotes understanding between staff and peer
a mentor, who helps peers learn the skills to move them beyond their substance abuse disorder
a resource broker, who can help find treatment places or other necessary resources
an advocate, who speaks or pleads for another’s cause
a supporter, who will do whatever is necessary
a facilitator, who helps connect them with others on recovery to build a network
To understand the true value of a peer support specialist and how those like Lindsey will use similar experiences from their backgrounds to guide others and model for them that change is a very real possibility, one must know a bit more about Lindsey’s own story. “After 17 years of addiction, I just came to a point where I was tired,” Lindsey says. “I was tired of hurting my kids and my family. There are multiple pathways to recovery like NA, AA, or CR, and mine has been through Christ. I remember being in jail this last round, and I remember praying to the Lord, ‘please let me love my kids more than I love my addiction.’ Then, I began to seek help.” After 17 years of battling addiction, Lindsey had finally taken those steps to break the vicious cycle, and she says now she wants to help others know “there is always a way out.”
After almost five years in long-term recovery and now serving others as a peer support specialist, SWARK.Today asked Lindsey what her prime motivation in this new role is. Lindsey said, “Many from that lifestyle in this town know me. So, if they see me and see that I'm walking in recovery, my hope is that they think, ‘If she did it, then maybe I can, too.’ I want to help so many people and show them that change is real, it’s possible. But at the end of the day, if I just help one person, or save one life, then it will still be so worth it.”
Anyone interested in talking with Lindsey about getting help with substance abuse treatment, or learning more about services offered at SWAMHC, can call 8707779051 or 9038247439 and ask for Lindsey Wrinkle.
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1 University of Michigan Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center. National Analysis of Peer Support Providers: Practice Settings, Requirements, Roles, and Reimbursement. Ann Arbor, MI: UMSPH; 2019