Do Peer Recovery Specialists Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder in an Integrative Primary Care
- PDF / 620,837 Bytes
- 12 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 73 Downloads / 157 Views
Do Peer Recovery Specialists Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder in an Integrative Primary Care Setting? A Program Evaluation Travis A. Cos1 · Archana Bodas LaPollo1 · Mara Aussendorf1 · Jason M. Williams2 · Kimberly Malayter3 · David S. Festinger4
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019
Abstract Peer recovery specialists (PRSs) combine their personal experiences with substance use and recovery with clinical skills to support patients in treatment for or recovery from substance use. This paper provides evaluation findings from a SAMHSAfunded program that integrated a PRS team into a primary care clinic to assess the efficacy of PRS support on patients’ substance use, healthcare involvement, and criminal justice involvement. PRSs provided a range of services to patients with histories of incarceration and substance use, including facilitating support groups, providing one-on-one individualized support, and navigating services. Data were collected from PRS-supported patients at intake, discharge, and 6 months postintake. Results revealed reductions in the percentage of patients using substances in the past 30 days, decreased number of days using alcohol, increased engagement in more medical services after program enrollment, increased school enrollment, and increased rates of employment for PRS-supported patients. Keywords Peer recovery specialists · Evaluation · Integrated primary care · Substance use recovery Peer recovery specialists (PRSs), also referred to as certified recovery specialists, peer support specialists, and recovery * Travis A. Cos [email protected] Archana Bodas LaPollo [email protected] Mara Aussendorf [email protected] Jason M. Williams [email protected] Kimberly Malayter [email protected] David S. Festinger [email protected] 1
Public Health Management Corporation, Research & Evaluation Group, Philadelphia, PA, USA
2
Public Health Management Corporation, Specialized Health Services, Philadelphia, PA, USA
3
Merakey, Erdenheim, PA, USA
4
Department of Psychology, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
coaches, are individuals who utilize their personal experiences with mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery combined with clinical knowledge and skills (e.g., peer recovery support training; delivery of evidence-based interventions such as Seeking Safety, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing) to help others succeed in their recovery (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2009). The use of PRSs serves multiple functions, including helping individuals in recovery obtain essential resources, connect with the community, and engage in prosocial activities; and motivating patients to adhere to treatment and their personal recovery goals, in part through sharing their own stories of challenges and successes. One of the most prominent and instrumental characteristics of PRSs may be their ability to offer guidance and advice stemming f
Data Loading...
