Recovery Advocacy: Making a Difference with Sherri Layton
Episode Overview
Advocacy is crucial for ensuring access to addiction treatment services. Building relationships with policymakers can lead to significant legislative changes. The field of addiction counselling faces challenges in attracting new professionals. Innovative solutions like pilot programmes can help increase professional association membership. Personal stories from advocates like Sherri Layton highlight the impact of dedicated advocacy work.
Advocacy is all about relationships, George. And we as counsellors know how to build relationships.
In this episode of Positive Recovery MD, guest host George Joseph sits down with Sherri Layton, a veteran in the field of addiction treatment and advocacy. With over 47 years of experience, Sherri shares her journey from a summer job at a psychiatric hospital to becoming a leading voice in recovery advocacy. Sherri’s passion for making a difference shines through as she recounts her early days in the field and the pivotal moments that led her to focus on advocacy.
She emphasises the importance of building relationships with policymakers and the impact of legislative work on ensuring access to addiction treatment services. Sherri’s stories are both inspiring and enlightening, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of advocating for those affected by addiction. George and Sherri also discuss the critical need for more addiction counsellors and the barriers to entering the field. They explore innovative solutions, such as pilot programmes to increase membership in professional associations, which could strengthen advocacy efforts.
This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in recovery advocacy or looking to understand the broader landscape of addiction treatment. Tune in to hear how one person’s dedication can lead to meaningful change and learn how you too can get involved in advocacy efforts. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply passionate about making a difference, this conversation offers valuable perspectives and practical advice.