The United States is facing an unprecedented addiction and overdose epidemic. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency in response to the increasing number of opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Due to differences in funding, policies, regulations, available resources, and the overall approach to addressing substance use disorders (SUDs), substance use treatment and harm reduction options may vary across states.

One promising strategy to address the rising rates of SUDs and drug overdose is peer recovery coaching. As a type of peer support, a nonclinical professional with lived SUD experience provides guidance to individuals with a SUD by helping them access care, develop a personalized plan to promote long-term. recovery, and remove barriers to recovery (for example, housing, employment, or transportation).

This study used a mixed methods approach to examine implementation and outcomes of peer recovery coaching models across four different AmeriCorps grantees.

Research Objectives

  • Describe peer recovery coaching model approaches, including promising practices and implementation challenges.
  • Understand how peer recovery coaching improves outcomes for organizations, peer recovery coaches, and program participants.

Findings

  • Lived experience is crucial to peer recovery coaching because it facilitates relationship-building between coaches and participants.
  • Peer recovery coaches support participants in recovery from SUDs and mental health diagnoses.
  • Grantees reported capacity improvements in providing services, leveraging financial support, and collaborating with partners.
  • Peer recovery coaches reported increased knowledge, improved attitudes and behaviors, as well as increased opportunities for maintaining their own recovery.
  • Program participants reported high levels of recovery capital (internal and external resources that enhance capacity for and commitment to living a sober life), which were greater than their counterparts who did not receive peer recovery coaching.

APHA Poster

LIFE CYCLE EVALUATION BUNDLED RECOVERY COACHING

COHORT 1 SNAPSHOT

FULL REPORT TO COME

Full report

Further information

Program/Intervention
Peer Recovery Coaching
Implementing Organization
Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center; Foundation for Recovery; Healing Action Network; Recovery Corps
Intermediary(s)

AmeriCorps Office of Research and Evaluation Commissioned Report

AmeriCorps Program(s)
AmeriCorps State and National
AmeriCorps VISTA
Age(s) Studied
18-25 (Young adult)
26-55 (Adult)
55+ (Older adult)
Focus Population(s)/Community(s)
Rural
Suburban
Urban
Low-income
Outcome Category
Healthy Futures
Access to care
Study Type(s)
Outcomes
Study Design(s)
Quasi-experimental (QED)
Researcher/Evaluator
ICF International
Published Year
2023
Study Site Location (State)
Illinois
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada