What is a “peer”?

A peer is a person who identifies as having an addiction, mental health condition, or challenged with co-occurring disorders (have received a dual diagnosis), and their families who are in crisis. Peers may be incarcerated, on parole, probation, or may have never been arrested. Some peers have attended and successfully completed a treatment program while others have not been to treatment. A peer may be new to the recovery process or already in long term recovery and wanting to access additional support.

What is peer support?

Peer support is community-based, non-clinical support for people in recovery, and it is meant to supplement (not replace) clinical treatment and other services. “The primary responsibility of the Peer Specialist is to support the recovery of the individual and assist them in achieving their own needs, wants, and goals. Peer Specialists are guided by the principle of self-determination for all and shall serve as advocates for the people they serve. Peer Specialists will maintain high standards of personal conduct that foster their own recovery journey.” (NAADAC Arkansas Peer Specialist Program – Code of Ethics)

Peer Specialists have been trained to use their lived experience to provide support and assist and guide peers on their recovery journey. Peer support includes multiple phases to serve people seeking harm reduction services, people in early recovery, people discharging from residential programs, people engaged in intensive outpatient or outpatient treatment programs, people currently incarcerated or otherwise engaged with the justice system, and people who find themselves in other situations or desiring more direct guidance and assistance with their recovery.

NWAHR has Peer Support Specialists available to provide support for wherever you are right now. They meet you where you are and seek to help you in achieving your own needs, wants, and goals. There is no pressure to choose any certain path and we support all pathways to recovery, especially in the area of harm reduction.

Peer support helps peers find meaningful, deep connection to the world around them and therefore a more sustainable road to recovery. “Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process.” (SAMHSA, 2017)

For more information, click the button below to contact our peer recovery support specialist or text our 24/7 hotline for a more immediate response.