Elisha Seabolt, a founder of Freedom Fighters Inc. in Parkersburg, received the 2025 Substance Use Disorder Peer Recovery Support Specialist of the Year by the West Virginia Department of Health Services. Freedom Fighters Inc. is an addiction support organization. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — A counselor from Parkersburg has been named the Substance Use Disorder Peer Recovery Support Specialist of the Year by the West Virginia Department of Health Services.

Ellisha Seabolt is a founder of the nonprofit Freedom Fighters Inc. in Parkersburg, an addiction support organization that originally started as a podcast more than a year ago.

Seabolt, a recovering addict herself, said she was surprised by the nomination by the department for the award.

“I was very happy to be nominated for the award,” she said. “It’s truly an honor.”

She also is a peer recovery support specialist at St. Joseph’s Recovery Center in Parkersburg.

The 2025 Substance Use Disorder Peer Recovery Support Specialist of the Year award from the West Virginia Department of Health Services honoring Elisha Seabolt. (Photo Provided)

Freedom Fighters is involved with Narcan distribution and housing case management. The organization has helped thousands of people, she said.

The organization can be contacted through its Facebook page, Freedom Fighters Inc., at freedomfightersoutreach@gmail.com or by texting 304 966-8081 around the clock.

“Anytime, 24-7,” Seabolt said.

The 2025 awards were announced by the Department of Health Services, Office of Drug Control Policy and the Bureau for Behavioral Health. They recognized outstanding contributions in addiction treatment and recovery and honored individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment, innovation and impact in supporting those affected by substance use disorder.

“This recognition reflects our mission to expand opportunity, strengthen recovery pathways, and improve outcomes for individuals and families affected by addiction,” Secretary Alex Mayer of the Department of Human Service said.

Other recipients were:

* Michael Joe Deegan: Excellence in Substance Use Disorder Treatment.

* Todd Davies, PhD, Huntington: Substance Use Disorder Research on Prevention & Treatment:

* Youth Services System Inc., Wheeling: Certified Recovery Residence of the Year.

* Jobs and Hope WV, Community Organization Award for Statewide Impact on Substance Use Disorder Care.

* Maureen Talkington, Oak Hill: Mental Health Peer Recovery Support Specialist of the Year.

* Jessica Kerns-Galloway, Elkins: Recovery Community Statewide Impact Award of the Year.

Recipients were announced at the West Virginia Peer Recovery Support Services and Recovery Housing Conference at the Appalachian Addiction and Prescription Drug Abuse Conference earlier this month in Charleston.

“What makes this group extraordinary is not only the services they provide, but the hope they inspire,” Health Services Deputy Secretary Christina Mullins said. “Their work shows us that recovery is not just an outcome, it’s a movement transforming the future of West Virginia.”

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.