Recovery Mentoring

Peer Recovery Specialist Defined

Anyone interested in promoting recovery by removing barriers and obstacles to recovery by serving as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking or in recovery. (CCAR)

Roles• Community organizer

• Friend and companion

• An Equal• Advocate

• Cheerleader• Role model• Representative• Resource Broker• Confidant

Mentor• Sponsor

• Counselor• Clergy Person

• Doctor• Mandated Reporter

Skills Active Listening Cultural

Competency

(Continuum)

Empathy

Servant Leadership

Goal Setting

Resiliency

“”

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.

Bryant H. McGill

Cultural Competency

Empathy the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Servant Leadership

Making dreams a reality

Resiliency the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties

• See events as an opportunity to grow

• Be accepting of your humanity

• Be willing to ask for help and have support of others

Wellness

Boundaries

Boundaries, cont.

• Know and share limits• Stay tuned into feelings• Be direct• Be permeable • Allow for change

Transference/Countertransference

Transference : Student to Peer

Mentor(Projection of past

feelings of a significant other onto peer)

Countertransference :Peer Mentor

to student(Projection of feelings

due to personal experiences)

Sharing your story w/ Peers

• It’s about “them” not “you”• Keep your own story brief and with a purpose• Use your story to show empathy/choice• What experiences I should not share?

Mentor Values• Gratitude• Service• Use of Self• Capability• Honesty• Authenticity• Credibility• Fidelity• Use of Self

• Humility• Loyalty• Hope• Respect• Tolerance• Autonomy• Advocacy• Stewardship• Acceptance• Protection• Discretion

Adapted from William White 2011.

TechnologyWe cannot ignore the use of technology and it's relationship with recovery.

Social Media: Sober Spot, Sober Grid Applications: 12 Step Companion, ACHESS Blogs: It's a Lush Life, She Recovers Podcasts : Bubble Hour, That Sober Guy, Recovery

Roundtable Calls/Texting Web-based

Realities of Utilizing TechnologyAdvantages

24/7 Support Privacy

Access to positive support

Cost effective

No geographical barriers

Anonymity

Diversity

Disadvantages

TrollsLoss of human contact

Inaccurate information

Ethics Does not force or coerce Respects the rights to choose May also choose to NOT work with someone Tells stories strategically Models recovery behaviors Helps others attain personal growth Strength based perspective

Connects with others where and as they are Does not evaluate or assess others Recognizes injustices and encourages to overcome Supports exploration of change and advocate for it Respects privacy and confidentiality

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far,

go together. – African proverb