Addiction Prevention Coalition

APC Recovery Cafe

Addiction Prevention Coalition

  • How Did You Get Here: A Conversation with Ashley Loftis

How Did You Get Here: A Conversation with Ashley Loftis

Thursday 27th July 2023

Hear Ashley Loftis' inspiring journey from a small town affected by opioids to her role in substance use prevention at APC Recovery Cafe. Listen now.
39 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate

About this podcast

APC Recovery Cafe
Author:
Addiction Prevention Coalition
Overview:
Categories:
Family Recovery from Addiction
Recovery Reimagined
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Creative Recovery Journeys
Links:
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Episodes:
41 (View all)
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From Small Town Roots to Big Impact: Ashley Loftis on Substance Use Prevention

Episode Overview

  • Ashley Loftis shares her journey from growing up in a small town heavily impacted by the opioid epidemic to becoming a prevention navigator at APC
  • She discusses her work in substance use prevention and HIV prevention, providing harm reduction resources, and advocating for mental health resources for children
  • Ashley's analytical mind and passion for solving mysteries through true crime podcasts have led her to make a real difference in people's lives through prevention work and community engagement
  • She encourages parents to have open conversations with their kids about substance use and emphasizes the importance of advocating for mental health resources
  • Join APC Recovery Cafe to hear more inspiring stories and insights from individuals working in the field of prevention and recovery
I would just encourage people to advocate for children in their mental health, people with substance use disorders. Advocate, speak up about it, whether it's like a post on social media, if it's a retweet on Twitter, or just having the conversation with somebody else.
Imagine growing up in a small town where the opioid epidemic casts a long shadow. For Ashley Loftis, this wasn't just a reality; it was the catalyst for her life's work. In this episode of APC Recovery Cafe, Ashley shares her compelling journey from her hometown in Western North Carolina to her impactful role as the Prevention Navigator for Project LEAP at the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC). Ashley's story is one of resilience and dedication.
Moving to Alabama for college, she fell in love with the state and decided to stay, earning her MA in Counselor Education and currently working towards her PhD. Her passion for helping others shines through as she discusses her work with adolescents at risk of contracting HIV due to substance use, and her efforts to provide harm reduction resources and advocate for mental health support.
Ashley's enthusiasm isn't limited to her professional life; she's also an avid learner and true crime podcast enthusiast. Her analytical skills and curiosity help her tackle complex issues in substance use prevention and community engagement. Throughout the episode, Ashley emphasizes the importance of open conversations about substance use between parents and children, and the need to break the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health.
She encourages listeners to advocate for better mental health resources and highlights the critical role of community support in recovery. Tune in to APC Recovery Cafe to hear Ashley's inspiring story and gain valuable insights into the world of substance use prevention and recovery.