The Use of Peer Mentors in the Recovery Process:

Transcription

1 The Use of Peer Mentors in the Recovery Process: How and Why Session learning objectives: Increased awareness of the evidence supporting the use of peer mentors in the recovery process Increased understanding of the role of the peer mentor Increased understanding of the components of an effective peer mentor program Increased understanding of the benefits (to mentors mentees, and agency) of incorporating a peer mentor program into an outpatient setting Evolution of the Program Purpose: to cultivate relationships through recovery, and support recovery. (* Peer means people who share the experience of addiction and recovery, either directly or as family members/significant others.) Ari - the sparkplug - began as a teen client at Connections, and become the first teen mentor. Other teens stayed sober and became mentors. As teen mentors reached their 20 s, created young adult and college mentor program Incorporated parents of mentors into mentor program As Connections clientele diversified, so did the mentors expanding into adult services and thus, adult mentors Developed mentor-specific support groups Formalized mentor responsibilities mentor contract for accountability & clarity 1

2 Evolution of the Program Incorporated annual mentor appreciation and recognition events, including staff Create opportunities for mentors to attend workshops, conferences, panels, fundraisers, Recovery Foundation events Provide encouragement, support & opportunities for peer mentors interested in counseling track through Connections. Peer mentor eligibility Connections clients Nominated to be a peer mentor by their primary therapist Have achieved a minimum of 90 days of sobriety Ability and interest to be a recovery role model for other clients at Connections Commitment to maintain sobriety and engage in individual recovery program Participate in groups as assigned by staff Confidentiality Refrain from dating clients in primary treatment Sign contract outlining expectations & responsibilities What our peer mentors do Make a minimum two phone calls/week to new or struggling clients Accompany or transport a client to a group activity, sober event, or self-help group Plan and host sober events Attend sober events Participate in/coordinate service work Participate in speaker panels for recovery awareness Young People in Recovery, Collegiate Sober Housing (see article at Young and Sober: a thriving movement provides support for clean living in Madison) Other activities approved by Connections Counseling staff 2

3 Benefits For mentors: Builds self-worth and leadership skills Enhances recovery through service Strengthens commitment to dispelling myths and stigma about addiction and recovery Improves communication and listening skills Benefits For Mentees: Helps them understand and embrace the value of feedback necessary to continued growth Decreases isolation by increasing network of sober support Increases understanding of the we of recovery Diminishes social anxiety of going to meetings or sober events by attending with a mentor Opportunities to practice expressing feelings in a safe, supportive environment Opportunities for having sober fun Benefits For our agency: Keeps clients invested in recovery and thus improves retention Increases referrals Increases revenue due to increased referrals, retention, and stronger community awareness of agency Increases staff morale 3

4 Peer Mentor Role Peer mentors are not recovery coaches, sponsors or professional counselors Legitimacy is from experiential knowledge and expertise, transforming own knowledge into skill of supporting others on their path to achieve and sustain recovery. Peer mentors do not diagnose give advice provide therapy They encourage peers to find the recovery path that will be in the peer s best interest and one he or she can follow. What is the evidence base for peer mentors? The evidence base for peer mentors Independent studies of particular peer-based recovery support services have been linked to enhanced engagement, access, treatment completion, and improved long-term recovery (White 7 ) Recovery is enhanced/facilitated by social support (CSAT 1, NIDA 2, Laudet & Humphries 3, White 7 ) Peer support helps people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse (NIDA 2 ) Mentors help provide a social bridge from the culture of addiction to the culture of recovery (White 4 ) 4

5 The evidence base for peer mentors To be effective, recovery systems should provide care in the person s community using natural supports (e.g., recovering peers). (Kaplan 5 ) Peer support services effectively extend reach of treatment beyond clinical setting into everyday environment of those seeking to achieve/sustain recovery (CSAT 1 ) Individuals in long-term recovery from SA report key factor in establishing/maintaining recovery status is social & community support, specifically, peers, family and friends (Laudet et. al. 6 ) The evidence base for peer mentors 4 types of social support have been identified in the literature 1,5 : emotional, informational, instrumental, and affiliational support. Emotional: Demonstrate empathy, caring, or concern to bolster person s self-esteem and confidence Informational: Share knowledge and information and/or provide life or vocational skills training Instrumental: Provide concrete assistance to help others accomplish tasks. Affiliational: Facilitate contacts with other people to promote learning of social and recreational skills, create community, and acquire a sense of belonging. The evidence base for peer mentors NIDA 2 : How mentors and mentees benefit: Safe place to socialize Sharing personal stories and problem solving Enriching spiritual values Learn new skills Place to practice new social skills Providing service to others Services available at different stages of recovery Leadership development Always available Promotion of shared values 5

6 Peer mentors perspectives Some of our mentors completed a short survey in July 2014 about the peer mentor program N = 10 (6 male, 4 female) Age range = years All working FT or PT, in school FT or PT, or both 60% had received inpatient/residential tx before coming to Connections; half of those, more than once 60% had been in outpatient tx before coming to Connections; half of those, more than once Length of sobriety range = 6 months 9 years Length of time as peer mentor = 3 months 3 years Peer mentors perspectives Why did you decide to become a mentor? A desire to give back to others and to connect with others Helps me with my own sobriety Group attendance at no charge What do you like about being a mentor at Connections? Being able to help others Seeing change and growth in others Helps my sobriety to have continued involvement Gives me a sense of duty and accomplishment Feels like I belong to something Keeps me close to my own story (reminds me of my own early struggles) How does it benefit others in their recovery efforts? Having support and seeing others who are making it in recovery gives them hope Peer mentors perspectives What does your investment as mentor consist of? What is your role/function? Regular attendance at groups to share experience and support Act as a role model in groups; model openness and honesty Reach out and help widen the circle of support by inviting others to attend events and meetings Did you have a mentor/role model at Connections before you became a mentor? There was not one person in particular that mentored me, but the group of mentors as a whole made me feel welcome and connected. The mentors had great things to say in groups, and that had a positive impact on me. 6

7 Peer mentors perspectives What do you think is needed to make a peer mentor program effective? Good orientation for new mentors, including a description, the benefits of being involved, and clear expectations about role and responsibilities. Retaining mentors for consistency and longevity Mentors reaching out to newcomers to connect them to sober people and events Element of fun Skill development, opportunity to use skills, and recognition/rewards Accountability Connections to others is the key What makes Connections unique? There is a culture of connected community Open, honest, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere where people are treated with dignity and respect Staff that demonstrate care and compassion along with expertise Fun and relaxed atmosphere but serious about recovery Presenter Stories Creating a peer mentor program Critical to have an idea champion at the decision-making level of the organization Identify passionate staff to organize and facilitate mentor program Staff buy-in: educate/motivate your staff through presentations from other agencies or mentor panels Adequate planning and preparation Establish criteria for mentor eligibility Establish clear roles and expectations for the peer mentors, especially around boundaries and confidentiality Staff leadership provides direction, recognition, incentive, support and accountability Staff matches mentors with appropriate clients and client needs Alumni and current clients are the source for mentors. Host an event to roll out the mentor program 7

8 And the most important thing. Create a culture of we and a community of recovery. Together we recover. References 1. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, What are Peer Recovery Support Services? HHS Publication No. (SMA) Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIDA Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide (3 rd Edition). Accessed online on at 3. Laudet, A and Humphreys, K. Recovery Support Services: Brief Overview of Existing Models. J Subst Abuse Treat. Jul 2013; 45(1): White (2004). The history and future of peer-based addiction recovery support services. Prepared for SAMHSA Consumer and Family Direction Initiative 2004 Summit, March 22-23, Washington, DC. Posted at recovery.org/pdf/peer-based_recovery.pdf References (cont d.) 5. Kaplan, L. The Role of Recovery Support Services in Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Laudet, A, Savage, R and Mahmood, D. Pathways to Long-term Recovery: A Preliminary Investigation. Journal of psychoactive drugs. 2002; 34(3): White, W. Executive summary. Peer-based addiction recovery support: History, theory, practice, and scientific evaluation. Counselor. 2009;10(5), Money, N., Moore, M., Brown, D., Kasper, K., Roeder, J., Bartone, P., & Bates, M. Identification of Best Practices in Peer Support Programs: White Paper. Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury,