Research to Recovery 2025

Graduate Student Presentation Contest: A select number of graduate students will be chosen to give a brief presentation (10-15 min) of their research. These students will be eligible for an additional prize based on their ability to make their research accessible for a general audience.

The integration of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) into the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health (VPGH) has been a transformative force in expanding access to recovery services and improving client outcomes. This presentation will explore how the introduction of CPRS—starting with the first specialist and expanding over time—has enhanced engagement, strengthened support networks, and contributed to measurable program success.

Through data-driven insights, we will examine the impact CPRS have had on client retention, service utilization, and overall recovery success. Additionally, personal testimonials from individuals served by VPGH will highlight the profound role that peer support has played in their journey to overcome problem gambling.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how lived experience, combined with structured peer support in a supportive work environment, fosters connection, trust, and long-term recovery.

This session is ideal for professionals in addiction recovery, behavioral health, and gambling harm reduction, as well as policymakers and advocates looking to strengthen recovery-oriented systems of care.