Definition of Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS): Formerly called Recovery Support Services (RSS), Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) are non-clinical recovery supports provided by individuals trained and certified to utilize their own personal lived experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges to support other individuals in their journey of recovery from substance use and/or mental health or other behavioral health challenges. These services are not just about offering and receiving help, but about doing so based on a shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, making each individual feel valued and respected.
What is the difference between clinical services and peer recovery support services (PRSS)?
Both clinical services and peer recovery support services are critical for people who are facing substance use (SU) challenges and are on their journey of recovery. Despite their differences, both services share a common ground of unconditional positive regard for the individual and a mutual desire to establish a connection. This shared understanding helps the individual feel understood, enhancing the effectiveness of the services.
Certified and licensed clinicians with expertise and formal training provide clinical services and provide diagnosis, treatment, and medication monitoring for SU conditions as authorized by Administrative Rule, Part 206O and their state license.
Certified peer specialists are staff with lived expertise who use what they have learned through their recovery process to walk alongside a person's journey in recovery. These staff do not provide clinical services. Through their relationship and shared experience, they provide practical and emotional support that helps a person sustain recovery through social connectedness and community. The emphasis is on empowerment, recovery, and peer-to-peer relationships. Peer specialists can work independently of clinicians or in partnership with a clinical team to meet people where they are.
Model of Peer Recovery Support Services
Peer recovery support is a service to assist a person in initiating or sustaining their recovery from substance use or mental health. Peers use a variety of evidenced-based techniques, to build on the four dimensions of recovery and help individuals achieve overall well-being. The four dimensions of recovery include health, home, purpose, and community.
The four dimensions of recovery are defined by the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as:
- Health: overcoming or managing one's disease(s) as well as living in a physically and emotionally healthy way;
- Home: a stable and safe place to live;
- Purpose: meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society; and
- Community: relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
Topics are tailored to fit a person's individual recovery needs and are in alignment with their treatment or recovery plan. Peer recovery support services recognize that recovery is not linear and adapts and changes as needed.
