What is Peer Recovery Support?
Peer Recovery Support is the act of people who have had similar experiences with substance use disorders giving each other encouragement, hope, assistance, guidance and understanding, all which aids in recovery. It can be done anytime or anywhere when two or more peers are in a mutual, supportive relationship.
What are Peer Recovery Support Services?
As the words imply, Peer Recovery Support Services are designed and delivered by people who have experienced both a substance use disorder and recovery. These services include:
- Range of non-clinical services to facilitate the process of recovery and holistic wellness
- Potential of assistance being provided prior to, during, or after treatment to an individual and/or a family member of an individual with a substance use disorder
- The ability to provide services in an individual or group setting
- Having a certified Recovery Support Specialist on site to assist with services
- Capitalizing on the desire among many in recovery to give back to their communities by providing services to others as volunteers
Characteristics of Peer Recovery Support Services
- Building an individual’s resilience and capacities rather than providing services focused primarily on correcting their deficits, disabilities, or problems
- Placing an emphasis on uncovering, reaffirming and enhancing the abilities, interests, knowledge, resources, aspirations and hopes of individuals, families, groups and communities
- Acknowledging that there are multiple pathways to recovery
- Self-directed care
- Encouraging advocacy
- Promoting wellness principles and self-care
Peer Recovery Support Specialist at COSA-NCADD
Since 2010, COSA-NCADD has utilized Peer Recovery Support Specialist to provide services to individuals in recovery. Currently, Specialists are conducting new client in-takes, completing community referrals, facilitating group meetings, conducting training and implementing prevention and recovery programs.