Lessons learned from a peer support program for individuals seeking substance use recovery

Peer navigation is a model that includes connecting an individual in need of services with a peer who can navigate engagement in clinical treatment services and provide emotional and logistical support that is often unavailable through the traditional system. In the substance use field-where the use of peers is a relatively new phenomenon-peers are individuals with lived experiences who are in recovery themselves. In 2016, a peer program called RECOVERY was implemented in a northeastern U.S. state. This team of peers act as a bridge between a referral source (e.g., police, emergency services, hospital) and treatment facilities. Using semi-structured interviews from the team of peers (N = 5), this paper provides a case study of the implementation process for this peer recovery program. The findings identify potential barriers and facilitators to peer services and offer a feasible approach for implementing peer support programs in substance use settings.