Project Summary:
Substance use disorders (SUD) are a major public health and economic challenge in Wisconsin, affecting over one million residents and costing an estimated $6.8 billion annually. Individuals with low income, unstable housing, limited healthcare access, or recent justice involvement are disproportionately affected, yet fewer than 10% receive treatment due to barriers like accessibility, stigma, and affordability. Reducing these disparities is a statewide priority.
Apricity will expand hospital-based peer recovery coaching to address this critical need. Peer coaches—people with lived experience of addiction—provide empathetic, person-centered support that bridges crisis care and long-term recovery. Coaches respond 24/7 to referrals from partner hospitals following overdose or substance use–related events, connecting patients to treatment, social supports, and community resources. In collaboration with an academic partner, Apricity will develop a data system to track hospital readmission, treatment completion, and ongoing recovery engagement, demonstrating program effectiveness and cost savings.
The project has three key components: continue high-quality peer support in hospitals, formalize an evaluation report, and produce a program report to quantify outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Anticipated impacts include increased treatment engagement, reduced hospital readmissions and overdoses, improved continuity of care, and strengthened recovery-oriented systems. By addressing patients’ mental and emotional needs, supporting hospital staff, and ensuring culturally responsive care for historically under served populations, this project advances health equity and builds a model for statewide expansion of peer recovery coaching.
Community Partners: ThedaCare, Ascension