Roles and Effects of Peer Recovery Coach Intervention in the Field of Substance Abuse: An Integrative Literature Review

Exploring the Self-Care Factors for Recovery in Alcohol Use Disorder and the Role of Peer Recovery Coaches: A Qualitative Study

Self-care is important in addiction recovery, and peer recovery coaches (PRCs) play key roles in recovery. This qualitative study explored self-care factors for individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder and the role of PRCs in supporting these individuals' self-care. Individual interviews with five PRCs and five workers in community addiction management centers in South Korea were performed. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Two categories and six subcategories were derived. The two categories were "elements of self-care: preparation and practice for a new way of life" and "the roles of PRCs: recovery facilitators with differentiated competencies." The factors identified as being involved self-care were summarized as "changing one's thought process and attitude" and "practical enactment considering the situation." The effective roles of PRCs were "sharing specific and realistic information," "providing motivation," "building empathy," and "presenting role models as mentors." This study identified self-care factors that should be included in addiction recovery programs with the participation of PRCs and also identified the roles of the PRCs. Developing and applying nursing interventions with PRCs in clinical and community nursing settings is necessary.

Experiences of peer work in drug use service settings: A systematic review of qualitative evidence

BACKGROUND

People with lived or living experiences of drug use and services have been increasingly incorporated into nonpeer-led mainstream organizational settings as a unique workforce. Despite the much discussed effectiveness of peer services in achieving measurable outcomes, limited attention has been given to the experiential aspects of peer work from the perspectives of peers, clients, or others involved. This systematic review synthesized qualitative evidence examining the experiences of peer work in nonpeer-led drug use service settings. It focused on the benefits of incorporating peers as a unique workforce, the challenges they face, and the organizational factors that influence their practices.

METHODS

A search of 15 databases identified 3,940 unique citations, 33 of which met inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis was utilized to synthesize their findings.

RESULTS

Foregrounding the uniqueness of peers' shared experience, studies have shown that incorporating peers into nonpeer-led settings can provide benefits at the client, organizational, and societal levels while promoting peers' personal and professional growth. The unique shared experience of peers can also present multidimensional challenges, such as triggering, boundary negotiation, and feelings of being trapped by their peer identity. To fully integrate peers into the system, organizations need to work with them to reconstruct organizational mission, culture, and structures in a way that recognizes and genuine commits to peers' unique values.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the significance of understanding peer uniqueness for organizations to create nourishing conditions for peer services and calls for future research exploring context- and setting-specific peer roles and organizational enablers and barriers.

Racial Differences in Retention in a Community-based Addiction Reduction Program Implemented by Peer Recovery Coaches for Women of Reproductive Age

To identify program characteristics that influence the retention of women of reproductive age in the Community-based Addiction Reduction program (CARE), mixed-method analyses of CARE survey data and CARE Peer Recovery Coach (PRC) narrative entries of participant encounters were performed. About 251 women were enrolled in this prospective community-based implementation science intervention. We compared survey responses by race for treatment status, treatment motivation scales, and retention in the program at intake, 2-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow ups using Chi-square/T-tests. Qualitative analysis of PRC narrative entries was conducted following thematic analysis and crystallization immersion analytic methods. White compared with Black women in CARE were significantly more likely to be in treatment at intake (P < .001) and more motivated to engage in recovery treatment (P < .001). However, Black women were retained longer in CARE at 2- (P < .006), 6- (P < .011), and 9- (P < .004) months. PRC narrative entries were coded, and emergent themes mapped well to the 4 types of supports provided by PRC as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: emotional, instrumental, informational, and affiliational. Analysis of narrative entries by race revealed that Black women were given more detailed information, communications with PRC were more encouraging and proactive in identifying and meeting needs, and PRC took a more hands-on approach when assisting and linking to resources. The inclusion of PRC as integral members of SUD recovery programs may preferentially provide Black women with SUD the opportunity to build more trusting relationships with these peer coaches, thereby increasing their participation and retention.