Association of Persons Affected by Addiction

The Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA) is a nationally renowned, award-winning, grass-roots, peer driven and peer-led recovery community organization in Dallas. (“Peer” is used to refer to a person who is in recovery from substance abuse.) APAA was formed in 1998 by recovery advocacy organization Dallas Helps in collaboration with a dedicated group of peers in long term recovery.

We work with indigent and high risk people to stabilize peers’ lives in order to eliminate the “revolving door” of addiction. The debilitating cycle of recovery and relapse erodes families, is costly and frustrating for communities, and leads to early death for those who relapse. APAA provides comprehensive evidence-based wrap around services to support recovery including extensive coaching; support groups; and assistance with housing, employment, access to mental and physical health services, and educational goals.

Our certified Peer Recovery Coaches are people in long term recovery who have received extensive training. They are foundational to our success. Peers work collaboratively with their assigned Coach to assess their resources, strengths and needs. Together they create a person-centered, strength based recovery plan. Each recovery plan includes wrap around services and honors whatever road to recovery that the peer believes will best support him or her in recovery. For example, recovery plans may emphasize church, family, AA, veterans groups, and/or mental health recovery.

We provide the following at no charge to our peers:

• Regular meetings with Coaches
• Recovery checkups to prevent relapse
• Targeted recovery support groups (12 step work, ex-offenders, co-occurring disorders (mental health and addiction), family members, Spanish speakers, veterans, spirituality-focused, etc.)
• Coaching for families
• Classes on alcoholism, addiction, and recovery
• Extensive housing assistance including some contracted housing
• Employment services including classes, coaching, referrals, free voicemail, haircuts, clothing, linkages other community services, transportation, and access to computers.
• Socialization including casual interactions at our Community Center, a monthly sober party and Recovery at the Movies.
• Whole health including enrollment in health insurance; referrals to health providers; and classes in yoga, meditation, physical fitness, nutrition, healthy relationships, dual diagnosis, etc.