Near & Far Video, Introduced by Richard Kemp: The Road to Recovery 2013: Peer Recovery Support: Leveraging Personal Experience in Helping Others

Description

Ivette Torres, Associate Director for Consumer Affairs, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Peer recovery support in behavioral health is a powerful and essential component of the recovery process. More recently, however, the recognition of the importance of peer support has led to more structured and intentional applications of this recovery support approach. For example, many peer “recovery support specialists” and “recovery coaches” have received training on the most effective ways to help peers in recovery. Use of trained individuals along with other strategies for providing peer support is found in both mental health and substance use settings. Peer support is especially effective within certain groups such as military service members and veterans, young adults, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations. In some applications, online technologies are used to facilitate peer support processes. This show will also address the use of peer support in recovery community centers and recovery living settings.

If you have questions or comments about this program, please contact Richard Kemp at rtkemp@aol.com.