Topics discussed in this episode🟣Personal experience with complex trauma, migraines, and overcoming opioids🟣Becoming part of the solution to the treatment desert in West Virginia🟣Building a family system and accountability in recovery housing🟣Managing 6 sober living homes with 85 beds🟣Pre-2025 funding from the National Office of Drug Control Policy for Peer Recovery Support Specialist and Jon's first academic peer-reviewed paper🟣 Peer Support Specialists are helping to divert people from the criminal justice system🟣Opening a licensed behavioral health center🟣Executive Orders freezing funding, the fickleness of grants, and more sustainable funding sources like social enterprises 🟣 Joint working: Governor's Council of Substance Abuse and Preventative Subcommittee in West Virginia🟣Informed consent and choice🟣West Virginia's Opiate Abatement Board awarded $1.2 billion, with 72.5% set aside in a foundation separate from the government. 🟣Rural access to care🟣Focus on hope, opportunity, and prevention🟣1st wave of opioid crisis, coal minors' pain, pill mills, and the 5th vital sign🟣Leaving a legacy by teaching at West Virginia Wesleyan College🟣Benefits for professionals joining WVAAP and networking🟣West Virginia state licensure for addiction professionals🟣People in recovery: our country's untapped resource🟣Harm reduction: a non-judgemental atmosphereAddiction Podcast Guest:Jon Dower MS, LPC, NCC, CRC, ICAADC, CCS, SAPPresident, WVAAPExecutive Director, West Virginia Sober Living Solutions🎁Donate https://givebutter.com/WVSLSHousingFund🔗https://westvirginiasoberliving.com/🔗https://www.wvaapp.org/🔗LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-dower-8522a885/Guest location: West VirginiaAddiction Podcast Host:Chris Langley, Co-Founder | Addiction Recovery Place