Joe Powell is the President and CEO of the Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA), a peer-led recovery community organization that provides support, advocacy, and education for people in recovery from substance use disorders. Joe has over 30 years of personal and professional experience in the field of addiction and recovery, and he is a nationally recognized leader and speaker on these issues. He is also a person in long-term recovery, having overcome his own struggles with alcohol and drugs.
Joe is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Texas. He has served on various boards and committees at the local, state, and national levels, including the Texas Recovery Initiative, the Faces and Voices of Recovery, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work, such as the Vernon Johnson Award, and the America Honors Recovery Award.
Joe's vision is to create a culture of recovery in his community and beyond, where people with lived experience of addiction are valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential. He believes that recovery is possible for anyone who seeks it, and that peer support is a vital component of the recovery process. He is passionate about sharing his story and inspiring others to find hope and healing through recovery.
Funding for this initiative was made possible by grant no. 1H79TI083022 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
