Peer Recovery Specialist, who are they:

Peer Recovery Specialist, who are they:

A Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) is a person who has lived experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges and is trained to support others who are on their own recovery journeys. They use their personal experience, combined with specialized training, to help others achieve and maintain recovery.

Key Characteristics of a Peer Recovery Specialist:
Lived Experience:
They have gone through recovery themselves and can relate to the struggles of others in a unique, personal way.

Support Role:
They provide emotional support, encouragement, and guidance — not clinical treatment. Their role complements therapists, counselors, and medical professionals.

Training and Certification:
PRSs typically complete a certification program that includes training in:

Ethics and boundaries

Communication skills

Recovery principles

Crisis intervention

Cultural competency

Work Settings:
They can work in:

Mental health or substance use treatment centers

Hospitals

Community organizations

Peer-run programs

Correctional facilities

Schools or youth programs

Roles and Responsibilities:

Mentoring and advocating for clients

Helping navigate services and resources

Modeling healthy behaviors and coping strategies

Assisting with setting and achieving recovery goals

Facilitating support groups

Core Principle:
The foundational belief is “recovery is possible,” and peer support can be a powerful, hopeful force for change.

Shervan K Shahhian