The Purpose of Recovery

We are committed to building and sustaining a robust peer community for individuals in recovery and their families by providing practical support and access to resources.

Our vision is a world where individuals find purpose to sustain their long-term recovery.

Founded in 2020 by parents, supporters, and individuals in long-term recovery, The Purpose of Recovery (TPOR) is a 510(c)3 non-profit recovery community organization (RCO) in Orange County that serves individuals and families in substance use recovery through peer coaching, family support, advocacy, and community education. Services include one-on-one recovery mentoring, group meetings, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and referrals to additional services.

All programs are provided free of charge. Therefore, TPOR depends on the generosity of donors, grants, volunteers, and individuals in the community to provide support to further recovery efforts. A private family foundation provided venture start-up support permitting TPOR to establish a new service model in Orange County. Additional financial support allowed the organization to expand services to non-English speaking individuals.

The Purpose of Recovery is a member of the Association of Recovery Community Organizations (ARCO), Addiction Recovery Communities of California (ARCC), the Orange County Recovery Collaborative, and a Community Partner of The Partnership to End Addiction (drugfree.org).

The TPOR team began building a peer recovery support infrastructure in 2020 by visioning a community where individuals find purpose to sustain their long-term recovery. The organization seeks to build and sustain a robust peer recovery community for individuals and their families impacted by behavioral health challenges by providing practical support and access to resources. A team of trained and certified peer specialists offers free peer and family coaching, facilitate support groups, workshops, and recovery advocacy. TPOR collaborates with other organizations that share their mission to provide practical, ongoing support for long-term recovery for the peers they support. Among those served are homeless or low socio-economic adults, adolescents, Spanish-speaking, Pacific Islanders, older adults, and individuals that are seeking recovery through harm reduction approaches.

With a population of 3.18 million, Orange County (OC) is the third largest county in California and Orange County is one of the largest and most diverse regions in the world. The Orange County Healthy Together Dashboard shows nearly 1 in 6 people in Orange County report needing help with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems; Orange County has higher hospitalizations rates due to alcohol or substance use compared to 75% of California counties; and there has been an increase in suicide rates in Orange County in the past 10 years. In addition, the 2019 rate of deaths related to opioid overdose shows a significant increase. According to the Orange County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board & OC Health Care Agency’s most recent report entitled ‘Addressing the Opioid Crisis’: the opioid overdose death rate for Orange County is higher than the statewide rate and seven out of every ten drug related deaths in the county involve opioids and prescription opioids account for nearly half of opioid overdose deaths with more than eight out of ten opioid overdose deaths being accidental. This same report shows that there are significant barriers to accessing mental healthcare for underserved populations due to language & immigration status, school-based mental health provider shortages, stigma, and cost and insurance coverage.

Orange County

The Purpose of Recovery began serving our community with peer services in October 2020, founded by parents, supporters, and individuals in long-term recovery. By providing practical support, access to resources, and minimizing stigmatizing language we have found it is possible to build sustaining and robust recovery. We leverage each person’s natural capabilities and acknowledge that all pathways to long-term recovery are valid.

Along with the belief that we could make a positive impact, for individuals and families in recovery from substance use, we strive to do so by enhancing an individual's journey and demonstrating that recovery is real and possible, as is a fulfilling, purposeful life.

The concept of Recovery's Purpose originated in the early 1990s when I observed friends struggling with substance abuse, some tragically losing their lives. Witnessing the need for a different approach to reduce relapses and legal involvement, I pursued a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a focus on substance use disorder and mental health (SUD/MH). Through this journey, I discovered a community-centered method that effectively provided peer support in a Recovery Community Organization (RCO) framework. The efficacy of RCOs in aiding individuals and families striving for sobriety was well-documented, and Orange County was ready for such an initiative. In early 2020, a dedicated leadership team emerged, leading to the project's launch and the inaugural peer coaching session in October. It is remarkable to see The Purpose of Recovery's significant growth and the positive impact it has had in just four years. I am humbled to be part of this movement, witnessing individuals discover purpose in their recovery journey through The Purpose of Recovery.