Are you or is someone you know struggling with addiction? You are not alone.

Contact one of our recovery staff today:

Call us at 845-765-8301 x108 or email us at recovery@capedc.org

What is a peer engagement specialist?

Someone to help you find your personal pathway to health & wellness.

A peer engagement specialist is similar to a recovery coach or a peer recovery advocate. They are a confidential source of non-clinical, judgment-free peer support. They are there to provide encouragement and help you overcome any obstacles to recovery. They are not a sponsor, law enforcement officer, therapist, doctor, or a lawyer. They can help you whether you are actively using or not. Our recovery staff consists of individuals with sustained recovery and personal experience. They are mobile, so they can meet you wherever you are comfortable.

Peer Engagement Specialist
CAPE Office

845-765-8301 x111

Peer Engagement Specialist
CAPE Office

Looking to join our team?


Here are some examples of ways our peers can help:

  • Talking things out and listening to you
  • Sharing their personal experience in recovery
  • Explaining some of the pathways of recovery available to you
  • Finding treatment options
  • Finding support groups and meetings
  • Creating wellness plans with you
  • Helping you set goals and reach them
  • Providing access to basic personal care items
  • Providing support at appointments, court dates, and other life events
  • Accessing harm reduction supplies (ex. test kits and Narcan)
We support the use of multiple pathways of recovery

Because what works for one person might not work for another…

Our recovery staff will connect you to options until you find the best path for you.

You’re Not Alone, and Neither Are They

You may feel helpless or unsure of what to do next. At CAPE, we’re here not only for the individual facing their addictive behaviors, but also for the people who care about them. We offer guidance, education, and resources to help you understand the cycle of addiction, the recovery process, setting healthy boundaries, and finding hope. Recovery is possible, and with the right support, healing can begin for everyone involved…

Here are a few things we want you to know:

  • Addiction is not a choice—it’s a disease. Addiction is a complex brain condition, not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. It changes how a person thinks, feels, and behaves… often overriding even their deepest intentions to stop or get better.
  • They’re not in control right now—and neither are you. Just as you can’t “will” someone out of diabetes or depression, you can’t force recovery from addiction. You didn’t cause their addiction, and you can’t cure it. What you can do is offer love without enabling and support without losing yourself.
  • Take care of yourself. Supporting someone who is struggling can take a serious toll. Prioritize your own mental, emotional, and physical well-being. We encourage you to seek peace, joy, and rest.
  • Boundaries are not punishments—they’re protection. Setting limits helps both you and your loved one. Boundaries create space for accountability and healing, and they’re a vital part of any healthy relationship.
  • Education is power. The more you learn about addiction, the better equipped you’ll be to respond with compassion, clarity, and strength. Understanding the science behind addiction helps remove blame and replaces it with empathy.
  • You are not alone. Countless others have walked this path. There is strength in connection, whether through peer support groups, counseling, or simply sharing your story. Help is out there, whenever you’re ready.

You don’t have to carry this alone. Every step of the way, we’re here to offer support and resources.

  • If you have a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
  • If you have a behavioral health emergency, please call or text the Dutchess County Helpline at 845-485-9700.
 
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