Peer Support Program Offers Help from Those Who Have “Been There”

Most of us have heard the expression “Been there, done that.” It’s often said in a humorous way — but there’s also a serious and very useful application of that phrase.

If you’re facing a difficult or challenging time, it can be helpful to speak with someone who has gone through something similar. You can compare experiences and talk about different ways of coping with those challenges — what works, what doesn’t work, and how you can deal with your own emotions as you work through things.

That’s the concept behind Alta Behavioral Healthcare’s Peer Recovery Support Services. Peer Services offer a way to both give and receive support and education from individuals with shared life experiences. Those who are presently in recovery from mental illness and/or addiction use their own lived experience as a tool to assist others by sharing their personal journeys and knowledge.

This service is available not only to those actually experiencing mental health or addiction issues, but also to support the parents of adolescents who are going through treatment.

While those in treatment at Alta receive case management and/or counseling, Peer Recovery Support is outside the realm of counseling. Instead, it is similar to the “sponsor” set-up in Alcoholics Anonymous. Like AA sponsors, individuals engaged in peer services encourage, inspire and empower others to set recovery goals and achieve them. In doing so, they can play a vital role in laying the foundation for sustained recovery.

Peer Recovery Support Services are community based, individualized, recovery-focused and promote self-determination, self-advocacy, well-being and overall independence.

To learn more about Peer Recovery Support Services, call (330) 793-2487.