S2E11: Building the Recovery Den and Changing the Statistics with Paige Britton

What does it take to change the statistics in a county that ranked #1 in the nation for opioid overdoses?

In this episode of The Shield, Executive Director Nichole sits down with Paige Britton, the founder and Executive Director of the Recovery Den in Walker County, Alabama. Paige shares her raw, first-hand experience of surviving active addiction in a rural community with virtually no resources, and how that fueled her mission to become the change she wanted to see.

From patching a leaky roof she learned how to fix on YouTube, to building a 100% peer-run recovery board, Paige’s story is a masterclass in grassroots community building. We also discuss how the Recovery Den is breaking down stigmas, providing everything from business clothes to Narcan, and even bringing the first Recovery Cafe into the local sheriff's office.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Walker County Crisis: The reality of living in a county deeply impacted by the opioid epidemic.
• The Recovery Den: How a free building and a lot of YouTube tutorials led to a life-saving central hub for recovery.
• Peer-Led Support: Why it is so critical that people seeking help are met by those with real lived experience.
• Upcoming Events: Details on the Overdose Awareness Walk (Aug 31) and the "Recovery Roundup" Sober Fest.

Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with the Recovery Den and learn more about their resources.

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