How We Work

Peer Support

Peer support refers to a form of assistance and encouragement provided by individuals who have lived experience with a particular challenge or condition. It is based on the idea that people who have gone through similar experiences can offer unique insights, understanding, and empathy to others facing similar circumstances. Peer support creates a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share their stories, receive validation, and gain practical guidance.

Peer support can take many forms, including one-on-one conversations, support groups, online communities, mentorship programs, and organized events. The key aspect of peer support is that it is a mutual relationship where both individuals involved can give and receive support. It is a collaborative approach that recognizes the value of lived experience in promoting well-being and recovery.

Benefits of peer support include:

  • Shared Understanding: Peers who have faced similar challenges can provide empathy and understanding that may be difficult for others to fully grasp. They can validate experiences, emotions, and struggles, creating a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation.
  • Inspiration and Hope: Hearing success stories from peers who have overcome similar difficulties can instill hope and motivation. It shows that recovery is possible and encourages individuals to persevere in their own journeys.
  • Practical Guidance: Peers can offer practical advice, coping strategies, and resources based on their own experiences. They can share what has worked for them and provide suggestions for navigating various aspects of recovery or managing mental health challenges.
  • Empowerment: Peer support empowers individuals to take an active role in their own recovery process. It promotes self-advocacy, self-determination, and a sense of agency by emphasizing personal strengths and resilience.
  • Non-Judgmental Atmosphere: Peers create a safe space where individuals can freely express themselves without fear of stigma or judgment. This environment encourages open and honest discussions, fostering trust and deeper connections.

Peer support is widely recognized as a valuable complement to professional services in the field of addiction recovery, mental health, and various other areas. It enhances the existing support system by providing unique perspectives, shared experiences, and a sense of community. Through peer support, individuals can find strength, encouragement, and the support they need to move forward on their path to wellness.

Recovery Ally Training

Recovery is a whole-person process that works in tandem with the community surrounding them. A person in recovery may have employers, friends, and family members in their lives that support their recovery pathway, but are not in recovery themselves. At Reconnected, we consider the surrounding support system as Recovery Allies, people who support the individual in recovery and do not identify as being in recovery themselves. Recovery Allies are crucial to the process of recovery. This training supports families, employers, and friends who have loved ones in recovery, as well as people who are interested in eliminating stigma surrounding addictions and mental health. 

In our Recovery Ally Training, you will gain an understanding of…

  • Recovery as a long-term process and the way that impacts conversations with the person in recovery
  • The difference between myths and realities of substance use and addiction
  • The power of stigma and how it impacts substance users
  • Ways to employ appropriate language related to addiction and recovery
  • How to effectively apply skills for interactions with people who are ambivalent about change and investigate resources for substance use treatment and recovery
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