Incorporating Peer Support Into Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services, Module 1 (3 hours)

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Peer support services (PSS) enhance traditional
substance use disorder (SUD) treatment
and services by connecting people who are
experiencing problematic substance use to others
who have lived experience with problematic
substance use and recovery. SUD treatment
program providers, supervisors, and administrators
(including clinical/program directors) should offer
PSS for problematic substance use and ensure
that individuals in or seeking recovery are aware
of and can access these services. Any setting that
offers care and support for individuals who have
problematic substance use should also offer or
arrange for PSS. Integrating the peer position
into SUD treatment programs should supplement
PSS that are offered by recovery community
organizations (RCOs) and recovery community
centers (RCCs)—not replace them.
PSS are an important part of a recovery-oriented
system of care (ROSC) and are associated with
improved outcomes. ROSCs are multisystem,
strengths-based, person-centered continuums of
care in which a variety of coordinated supports
is tailored to an individual’s needs and chosen
recovery pathway.
The settings and contexts in which PSS are offered
are changing rapidly. This Treatment Improvement
Protocol (TIP) supports learning about the key
aspects, functions, and uses of PSS in recovery
from problematic substance use, which will help
providers, supervisors, and administrators in
SUD treatment programs better understand and
respond to these changes.

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