Poster 104 - The Power of Connection: Peer Support as an Overdose Defense

Early recovery is one of the most volatile and high-risk points in the journey from opioid use disorder to stability. Spectrum Health’s Medication-Assisted Treatment program demonstrates how combining FDA-approved medications with peer support at this critical juncture improves engagement, reduces overdose risk, and drives long-term recovery. Our data show measurable improvements across clinical outcomes, public health, and social determinants of health- including reduced ER visits, stronger family connections, stable housing, and improved employment. This presentation shares evidence that MAT, when paired with lived-experience peer services, transforms moments of crisis into opportunities for hope, connection, safety, and recovery.