Community Services Offers Help for People Recovering from Substance Use Disorders

Communities across the United States face problems related to substance use disorders. September is National Recovery Month, bringing greater awareness about addiction and the struggle of recovery.

“As we all know, addiction has hit the nation very hard, especially these last few years,” says Community Services Therapist III, Ashley Rushing. “More people are suffering, and more people are suffering in silence. I think it’s important to recognize National Recovery Month to bring awareness to the challenges that many in our community are facing. We are also shedding light on how addiction affects our communities across the nation. In bringing this awareness, we also hope to reduce the stigma of substance use and help people understand that there are resources available to them. We want our community to know that there is treatment for individuals affected by addiction, and there are people, agencies and programs who are there to help them get to where they want to be.

Prince William County Community Services offers help to adults struggling in their recovery through its Support Outreach Advocacy and Recovery, or SOAR, program. SOAR provides peer recovery support from individuals with lived experience in long-term recovery. The SOAR Program seeks to connect individuals with resources such as treatment, medication-assisted treatment, Narcan, food pantries, clothing closets, medical services, housing programs, community support meetings and social services. Peer Support Specialists in the program offer mentorship and encouragement while they walk alongside clients and their families to help connect them to recovery resources, from when they take their first steps towards recovery through successfully completing treatment. SOAR’s Peer Support Program provides a non-judgmental, uplifting space to let each individual know recovery is possible.

People with loved ones who are feeling despair from the cycle of addiction, mental illness or co-occurring disorders can connect with Prince William County Community Services. Community Services offers same day access, available at Sudley North and the Ferlazzo building, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m.−2:30 p.m. People seeking mental health and/or substance use services may walk into the Manassas or Woodbridge clinic and obtain a mental health and substance use assessment the same day. No appointment is required. Those with questions about same day access assessment services can contact the Access Intake Office at 703-792-7373 in Woodbridge, or 703-792-5241 in Manassas. Learn more at pwcva.gov/department/community-services.