From Patient to Peer Support Specialist: A Story of Recovery and Hope
In an ongoing effort to address Pennsylvania’s opioid crisis, the Peer Recovery Expansion Project (PREP) is making significant strides by connecting individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) to treatment and support. Through the Rural Health Redesign Center (RHRC), PREP aims to reduce overdose deaths and improve public health statewide.
Kristen Cost is a dedicated Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) who has been supporting individuals on their recovery journeys. With personal experience overcoming addiction, Kristen brings understanding and empathy to her role, making her an invaluable member of the PREP team.
Personal Journey and Reflections
Reflecting on her own struggles, Kristen shares candidly about the challenges she faced when suffering from addiction. “There were times I should have gone to the hospital but refused due to the complete and utter fear of being ‘found out,’” she recalls. “The shame absolutely paralyzed me.”
Overcoming Challenges
A turning point came after a series of personal losses. “I had lost everyone I cared about, had my first jail stay, and realized how miserable, hopeless, and alone I actually felt,” she says.
Kristen entered a long-term treatment program three weeks after her mother passed away, even though she was terrified. “Somewhere along the way, things started to click, and change started to occur in me.”
Journey to Becoming a CRS
Kristen’s path to becoming a CRS was an extension of her desire to help others. “I always had a sense that I liked to help people however I could,” she explains. “When my counselor suggested looking into becoming a CRS, it seemed like the absolute best opportunity.”
As a CRS, Kristen uses her lived experience to support others. “What better outcome could I possibly ask for than being able to help support others just like me?” she says. “I still am in awe every single day of the opportunity entrusted to me.”
Joining the PREP Program
Kristen was eager to join PREP. “Having my own history with this disease and having loved and lost people to it, it is very apparent to me how vulnerable we are at the point when we find ourselves in an emergency department,” she explains. “To have a Recovery Support Specialist in the hospital is the best scenario I can imagine.”
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Kristen is focused on growth — both personally and professionally. “I want to continue in my growth, my knowledge, and my own recovery,” she says. “I want to continue serving those suffering from the disease of addiction.”
Her commitment to her work is unwavering. “I will do my best to treat everyone with compassion and respect,” she says.
Kristen’s dedication to supporting individuals affected by SUD is a testament to the transformative impact of accessible, empathetic recovery services. Her story underscores the importance of emergency room support in addressing the opioid crisis. The PREP team and the Rural Health Redesign Center thank Kristen for her contributions and wish her continued success in her future endeavors.
