Troy, N.C. - Peer support specialist (PSS) Chrystal Weatherly has joined FirstHealth of the Carolinas in Montgomery County as part of an effort to address and prevent substance and opioid use disorder.
Peer support specialists are people living in recovery who provide support to individuals with substance and opioid use disorder. Weatherly started working as a FirstHealth PSS in May. Prior to joining FirstHealth, she worked as a PSS with the Sandhills Opioid Response Consortium in Montgomery County.
She earned her peer support specialist certification from the University of North Carolina School of Social Work in 2020, after completing the required 60 hours of training. She is also a certified recovery coach and mental health behavioral specialist. Weatherly’s own recovery journey began in 2015 and she has had continuous recovery since 2017. If you or someone you know needs support services, Weatherly can be reached at (910) 331-0474 or (910) 572-1393 ext. 1243. Her office is located within the Montgomery County Health Department at 217 S. Main Street in Troy.
“I became a peer support specialist because I understand the struggle with addiction firsthand,” she said. “I want to help others find the same freedom I experience from a life of recovery.”
The PSS position in Montgomery County is funded by the county’s opioid settlement funds and a matching grant from Vital Strategies to address substance use disorder and opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction and awareness. The grant also contributes to greater distribution of harm reduction kits and community education efforts.
Peer support specialists partner with agencies in the community, including the justice and law enforcement systems and social services. Weatherly can aid individuals with a variety of recovery needs and resources, including:
- Narcan distribution
- Support group meetings
- Medication for opioid use disorder
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment referrals
“I am most excited about seeing people’s lives change,” Weatherly said. “I want others to know they do not have to live a life of addiction. There is help and recovery is possible. Being able to witness someone walk in a new direction after they’ve struggled with substance use and been counted out by others is the most rewarding experience.”
Montgomery County Manager Frankie Maness said he is excited to see the PSS service available in the area.
“The opioid epidemic has impacted the nation as a whole, and we are not immune to those devastating effects,” Maness said. “There is a definite need for more treatment and recovery resources in Montgomery County and we are happy to partner with FirstHealth to address those needs. Chrystal will be an asset to the area and hopefully pave the way for other PSS.”
For more information, please call the Sandhills Opioid Response Consortium rapid response line at (910) 469-1499 for a referral or visit www.firsthealth.org/recoveryresources.
