Rachel Shuster, BSN, RN, CARN, CAAP is a registered nurse in long-term recovery who supports recovery pathways as both an addiction professional and as an advocate who is committed to transparency and recovering out loud.
In her professional life, Rachel is a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) and a Certified Allied Addiction Practitioner (CAAP). She has worked for UPMC Center for Opioid Recovery, Silvermist Recovery, and Gateway Health Plan, where she currently serves as an Addiction Specialist. In all of these roles, Rachel has utilized her knowledge as an addictions nurse–as well as her lived experience–to advocate for her patients and provide education to healthcare professionals less experienced in substance use and recovery.
Rachel regularly shares her recovery story with the public, including professional conferences, speaking engagements at high schools and colleges, and media interviews. She always makes it clear that she supports all recovery pathways and recognizes the value of individualized recovery. As her recovery journey has evolved from abstinence and a 12-step program into a more holistic approach, she has continued to share her journey. In doing this, Rachel has been able to connect with others who have left 12-step recovery, assisting them in feeling seen, validated, and connected.
Rachel’s nomination applauds her ongoing work to “dispel myths, eliminate stigma, question biases, and fight discrimination.”