Advocates for Recovery

About The Work We Do!

Advocates for Recovery (AFR) is a grassroots recovery community organization made up of people throughout Colorado who are part of the new recovery movement. In the year 2001, AFR began its mission with a handful of dedicated people who recognized the necessity for support and advocacy for the needs of those in recovery. AFR believes that the most difficult part of the road to recovery begins after an individual has stopped using drugs/alcohol. AFR is the only Recovery Community Organization in Colorado whose primary goal is to support those in recovery from addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs. What is a Recovery Community Organization?

“A recovery community organization (RCO) is an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. These organizations organize recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carry out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and/or provide peer-based recovery support services”, as defined by Faces & Voices of Recovery. AFR is proud to announce new services to the community Peer Based Recovery Support Services What is Peer Based Recovery Support? - The process of giving and receiving non-professional, non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from alcohol and or drug related problems. - Support provided by people who are experientially credentialed to assist others in initiating recovery, maintaining recovery, and enhancing the quality of personal and family life in long-term recovery. - Substantially different from models of professionally directed addiction treatment.

Why Us?

What are Peer Based Recovery Support Services?

Services that are a form of Peer Based Recovery Support delivered through more formal organizations and through more specialized roles. - Service that span the Stages of Recovery - Are distinguished by their recovery focus; mobilization of personal, family and community recovery capital to support long-term recovery - Respect to diverse pathways and styles of recovery - Focus on immediate recovery-linked needs - Use of self as a helping instrument - Emphasis n continuity of recovery support over time - Are non-stigmatizing, inclusive, and strengths based What is a Recovery Coach?

Motivator and cheerleader (exhibits bold faith in individual/family capacity for change; encourages and celebrates achievement), ally and confidant (genuinely cares, listens, and can be trusted with confidences) truth-teller (provides a consistent source of honest feedback regarding self destructive patterns of thinking, feeling and acting), role model and mentor (offers his/her life as living proof of the transformative power of recovery; provides stage-appropriate recovery education and advice), problem solver (identifies and helps resolve personal and environmental obstacles to recovery), resource broker (links individuals/families to formal and indigenous sources of sober housing, recovery-conducive employment, health and social services, and recovery support), advocate (helps individuals and families navigate the service system assuring service access, service responsiveness and protection of rights), community organizer (helps develop and expand available recovery support resources), lifestyle consultant (assists individuals/families to develop sobriety-based rituals of daily living), and a friend (provides companionship).

Advocates for Recovery is a grassroots organization made up of people throughout Colorado who are part of the new recovery movement. The organization started with a handful of dedicated folks who recognized that the most difficult part of the road to recovery began after the individual had ceased using alcohol and other drugs.
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	Our Logo The Aspen leaf in the AFR logo represents an important element of an Aspen Grove. Each Grove grows by sending out runners from the root system, which then matures into individual trees that flourish and continue the process. Like the Grove AFR grows its organization by members spreading the word, adding beauty, joy, and motion to the lives of others through the power of their stories of recovery.
	Our Mission To advocate for planning and policies at all levels of society of recovery, and for more addiction research, prevention, and treatment. To educate the public about the disease of addiction, the consequences of untreated addiction, and the process of recovery. To dispel myths about addiction and the addict by sharing stories of recovery and by celebrating the success of recovery. To reduce the stigma associated with addiction. To develop resources to provide recovery support services for those in need.
	Recovery Recovery from addiction is a process of gaining sobriety, hope, and joy, and contributing to one's family and community as a healthy, productive person. Recovery from addiction is a reality every day in thousands of lives. Many pathways to recovery exist. Recovery flourishes in supportive communities. Recovering and recovered people are part of the solution; recovery gives back what addiction has taken.