Addiction Recovery Care’s Peer Support Specialist Academy in Lexington Full of Hope

The excitement was building, as it has been for some time now within Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). ARC is gaining national attention for being one of the most effective companies in the US at taking someone from the point of crisis into a career. The feeling walking into Crossroads Church in Lexington, KY was electric. The crowd of over 1,000 including employees, family members, and clients stood up and cheered as the graduates of the “Voyagers” cohort, the Emerging Leaders program, and one graduate from ARC’s new Automotive Maintenance Program walked to the stage for ARC’s Peer Support Academy graduation. Over 700 people in the room were in recovery from substance abuse disorders and they were excited to see the changed lives walk up on stage.

ARC started the Peer Support Specialist Academy (PSSA) in 2016. The PSSA is a program that contains six months of college-level classes that end with a certificate that allows the graduate to be a behavioral health professional. Emerging Leaders is a program that trains participants to step into mid-level management positions. Second Chance Auto, ARC’s automotive program, started as a way for ARC to provide maintenance to its fleet of vans, but since has opened to the public as a full-service garage and now trains individuals to be able to seek employment within the vocation. Since 2016 over 100 people have graduated from the academy, with over 80% of the graduates remaining successful. ARC defines success as being in recovery and employed.

Tim Robinson, the CEO and founder of ARC, approached the mic and said, “When, not if, we beat this opioid crisis…” and that’s all the crowd need to hear as they erupted in agreement and celebration. The excitement carried as the Mayor of Lexington spoke about hope in Kentucky. She was followed by several more speakers that reinforced the hope that is taking hold across the state. Tim followed up with, “If we are willing to walk with someone and give them a comprehensive treatment approach while helping them identify their purpose in life, almost everyone receives it and begins to fulfill their God-given destiny.”

Something is happening in Kentucky, and ARC is leading the way. Opioids have loomed over our area for decades now but hope for a solution is here. ARC’s “Crisis to Career” approach has proven to be an innovative and efficient solution to the epidemic of addiction. With 700 saved lives in the room, it’s hard to deny that miracles are real. Jared Arnett, with Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), said, “To accomplish things that have never been done, you have to do things that have never been done.” ARC and the graduates on the stage are doing just that.

If you or a loved one may be suffering from a dual diagnosis disorder or addiction, I encourage you to seek treatment today. Please contact an addiction specialist at 606.638.0938 or use our confidential chat function at www.arccenters.com. We are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Jonathan Hughes, MA, CNP

Kentucky Peer Support Specialist

Addiction Recovery Care