About

Peer-based services for people seeking addiction recovery.

About – Equal Srq

Equal SRQ Recovery provides the support and guidance needed to navigate addiction recovery.
We help adults find and maintain a recovery identity through peer mentorship,
peer facilitated groups, a recovery community center, recovery events, and a leadership development program.

OUR VISION

EqualSRQ envisions a future where systems, communities, and individuals work together to ensure all people can access the resources necessary to find sustained recovery from alcohol and substances.

OUR MISSION

To provide–in partnership with systems, communities, and individuals–a variety of recovery support services to adults in recovery.

PARTICIPANT VALUES & RIGHTS

  1. Adults seeking recovery have specialized needs and therefore require specific recovery services that are sensitive to race, culture, and gender identity.
  2. Substance use disorder does not discriminate and neither should systems, communities, or individuals that support recovery. Recovery support should be on demand and available to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, or the ability to pay for treatment.
  3. Each person’s recovery journey is unique and they are the experts in their own life. All pathways to recovery are equally valid, including harm reduction and medication-assisted treatment.
  4. Peer services are as vital as clinical services. Working together is the best way to ensure successful, longterm recovery.
  5. Stigma is a major barrier in helping people recover. Substance use disorder is a disease–not a moral failing.

Collaborations

  1. EqualSRQ collaborates with public and private organizations involved with people with substance use disorders.
  2. We work with DMV Court of Sarasota, Faces and Voices of Recovery, Floridians for Recovery, Peer Support Coalition of Florida, LIVE Tampa Bay, we also collaborate with the Florida Harm Reduction Collective, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Sunshine Peer Network, Purpose House Transitional Living Homes and many other recovery organizations.
  3. We are looking to further broaden our collaborations with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department , SAMHSA, Salvation Army Center Of Hope, Local Healthcare Providers, Mental Health Agencies, Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, Legal and Social Service Agencies, Faith-Based Organizations, Justice System Entities and Educational Institutions.

“[My Certified Recovery Peer specialist] helped me get my life back in order by first teaching me how to set realistic goals, helping me find transitional housing, and then providing transportation to enroll in school. … I think having a specialist keeping me accountable and pushing me to achieve my goals was the best tool I’ve had in my recovery.”
– Former EqualSRQ Participant

“I really like the way that you can just be yourself without any judgment. If you want help, you can just ask for it and they will not think of you any less no matter what you are going through. They are just there to help.”

— EqualSRQ Participant

“I struggled with depression & anxiety for years, for a long time I felt alone, like I had no one to turn to. The peer community has given me a place where I can be myself and not feel alone, makes me feel like my problems matter, I don't feel judged, I don't always feel like I'm the weirdo in the room, unflagging positive attitude, whether I needed to sit and talk or have someone listen, I feel safe.”

— EqualSRQ Participant

“I love being able to take my dogs with me wherever I go, I’m glad you have a space for me to be with my “kids” during our time together.”

— EqualSRQ Participant

“I love being able to take my dogs with me wherever I go, I’m glad you have a space for me to be with my “kids” during our time together.”

— EqualSRQ Participant

“What I needed was a job and I'd be good. I also needed housing, I was tired of the sprinklers coming on, getting me wet in the middle of the night in the community park! I also needed food had no refrigeration living in the bushes! My peer helped me tackle these challenges one by one.”

— EqualSRQ Participant