The Use of Peer
Mentors in the
Recovery Process:
How and Why
Session learning objectives:
Increased awareness of the evidence supporting the use of peer mentors in the recovery process
Increased understanding of the role of the peer mentor Increased understanding of the components of an
effective peer mentor program
Increased understanding of the benefits (to mentors mentees, and agency) of incorporating a peer mentor program into an outpatient setting
Evolution of the Program
Purpose: to cultivate relationships through recovery, and support recovery. (* “Peer” means people who share the experience of addiction and recovery, either directly or as family members/significant others.) Ari - the “sparkplug” - began as a teen client at Connections, and
become the first teen mentor. Other teens stayed sober and became mentors.
As teen mentors reached their 20’s, created young adult and college mentor program
Incorporated parents of mentors into mentor program As Connections clientele diversified, so did the mentors…expanding
into adult services and thus, adult mentors Developed mentor-specific support groups Formalized mentor responsibilities – mentor contract for
Evolution of the Program
Incorporated annual mentor appreciation and recognition events, including staff
Create opportunities for mentors to attend workshops,
conferences, panels, fundraisers, Recovery Foundation events
Provide encouragement, support & opportunities for peer mentors interested in counseling track through Connections.
Peer mentor eligibility
Connections clients
Nominated to be a peer mentor by their primary therapist Have achieved a minimum of 90 days of sobriety
Ability and interest to be a recovery role model for other clients at Connections
Commitment to maintain sobriety and engage in individual recovery program
Participate in groups as assigned by staff
Confidentiality
Refrain from dating clients in primary treatment
Sign contract outlining expectations & responsibilities
What our peer mentors do
Make a minimum two phone calls/week to new or struggling clients Accompany or transport a client to a group activity, sober event, or
self-help group Plan and host sober events
http://www.connectionscounseling.com/sober-events Attend sober events
Benefits
•For mentors:
•Builds self-worth and leadership skills •Enhances recovery through service
•Strengthens commitment to dispelling myths and stigma about addiction and recovery
•Improves communication and listening skills
Benefits
•For Mentees:
Helps them understand and embrace the value of feedback necessary to continued growth
Decreases isolation by increasing network of sober support Increases understanding of the “we” of recovery Diminishes social anxiety of going to meetings or sober
events by attending with a mentor
Opportunities to practice expressing feelings in a safe, supportive environment
Opportunities for having sober fun
Benefits
•For our agency:
•Keeps clients invested in recovery and thus improves retention
•Increases referrals
•Increases revenue due to increased referrals, retention, and stronger community awareness of agency
Peer Mentor Role
•Peer mentors are not recovery coaches, sponsors or
professional counselors
•Legitimacy is from experiential knowledge and
expertise, transforming own knowledge into skill of supporting others on their path to achieve and sustain recovery.
•Peer mentors do not…
•diagnose •give advice •provide therapy
•They encourage peers to find the recovery path that will
be in the peer’s best interest – and one he or she can follow.
What is the
evidence base for
peer mentors?
The evidence base for peer
mentors
•Independent studies of particular peer-based recovery
support services have been linked to enhanced engagement, access, treatment completion, and improved long-term recovery (White7) •Recovery is enhanced/facilitated by social support
(CSAT1, NIDA2, Laudet & Humphries3, White7) •Peer support helps people become and stay engaged in
The evidence base for peer
mentors
•To be effective, recovery systems should provide care in
the person’s community using natural supports (e.g., recovering peers). (Kaplan5)
•Peer support services effectively extend reach of
treatment beyond clinical setting into everyday environment of those seeking to achieve/sustain recovery (CSAT1)
•Individuals in long-term recovery from SA report key
factor in establishing/maintaining recovery status is social & community support, specifically, peers, family and friends (Laudet et. al.6)
The evidence base for peer
mentors
4 types of social support have been identified in the literature1,5: emotional, informational, instrumental, and affiliational support.
•Emotional: Demonstrate empathy, caring, or concern to bolster person’s self-esteem and confidence •Informational: Share knowledge and information and/or
provide life or vocational skills training
•Instrumental: Provide concrete assistance to help others accomplish tasks.
•Affiliational: Facilitate contacts with other people to promote learning of social and recreational skills, create community, and acquire a sense of belonging.
The evidence base for peer
mentors
•NIDA2: How mentors and mentees benefit:
Safe place to socialize
Sharing personal stories and problem solving Enriching spiritual values
Learn new skills
Place to practice new social skills Providing service to others
Services available at different stages of recovery Leadership development
Always available Promotion of shared values
Peer mentors’ perspectives
Some of our mentors completed a short survey in July 2014 about the peer mentor program
N = 10 (6 male, 4 female)
Age range = 16-51 years
All working FT or PT, in school FT or PT, or both
60% had received inpatient/residential tx before
coming to Connections; half of those, more than
once
60% had been in outpatient tx before coming to
Connections; half of those, more than once
Length of sobriety range = 6 months – 9 years
Length of time as peer mentor = 3 months – 3
years
Peer mentors’ perspectives
•Why did you decide to become a mentor? A desire to give back to others and to connect with others Helps me with my own sobriety
Group attendance at no charge
•What do you like about being a mentor at Connections? Being able to help others
Seeing change and growth in others Helps my sobriety to have continued involvement Gives me a sense of duty and accomplishment Feels like I belong to something
Keeps me close to my own story (reminds me of my own early struggles)
•How does it benefit others in their recovery efforts? Having support and seeing others who are making it in recovery
gives them hope
Peer mentors’ perspectives
•What does your investment as mentor consist of? What
is your role/function?
Regular attendance at groups to share experience and support
Act as a role model in groups; model openness and honesty Reach out and help widen the circle of support by inviting
others to attend events and meetings
Did you have a mentor/role model at Connections before
Peer mentors’ perspectives
What do you think is needed to make a peer mentor program effective?
Good orientation for new mentors, including a description, the benefits of being involved, and clear expectations about role and responsibilities.
Retaining mentors for consistency and longevity Mentors reaching out to newcomers to connect them to sober
people and events Element of fun
Skill development, opportunity to use skills, and recognition/rewards
Accountability
Connections to others is the key What makes Connections unique?
There is a culture of connected community
Open, honest, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere where people are treated with dignity and respect
Staff that demonstrate care and compassion along with expertise Fun and relaxed atmosphere but serious about recovery
Presenter Stories
Creating a peer mentor
program
•Critical to have an idea champion at the decision-making level of the organization
•Identify passionate staff to organize and facilitate mentor program •Staff buy-in: educate/motivate your staff through presentations
from other agencies or mentor panels •Adequate planning and preparation •Establish criteria for mentor eligibility
•Establish clear roles and expectations for the peer mentors, especially around boundaries and confidentiality
•Staff leadership provides direction, recognition, incentive, support and accountability
•Staff matches mentors with appropriate clients and client needs •Alumni and current clients are the source for mentors. Host an
And the most important
thing….
Create a culture of “we” and
a community of recovery.
Together we recover.
References
1. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, What are Peer Recovery Support Services? HHS Publication No. (SMA) 09-4454. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009.
2. NIDA Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide (3rd
Edition). Accessed online on 8-6-14 at
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment
3. Laudet, A and Humphreys, K. Recovery Support Services: Brief Overview of Existing Models. J Subst Abuse Treat. Jul 2013; 45(1): 126–133.
4. White (2004). The history and future of peer-based addiction recovery support services. Prepared for SAMHSA Consumer and Family Direction Initiative 2004 Summit, March 22-23, Washington, DC. Posted at http://www.facesandvoicesof recovery.org/pdf/peer-based_recovery.pdf
References (cont’d.)
5. Kaplan, L. The Role of Recovery Support Services in Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 08-4315. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008.
6. Laudet, A, Savage, R and Mahmood, D. Pathways to Long-term Recovery: A Preliminary Investigation. Journal of psychoactive drugs. 2002; 34(3):305-311.
7. White, W. Executive summary. Peer-based addiction recovery support: History, theory, practice, and scientific evaluation. Counselor. 2009;10(5), 54-59.
