The Importance of Peer Support in Addiction Treatment

Living in active addiction is chaotic. When a person is addicted, their addiction becomes their number one priority. Everything else takes a backseat—personal hygiene, diet, sleep, personal finances, cleaning, family time—nothing other than staving off the withdrawal matters.

When addiction goes on for years, a person may find that they have lost everything that ever meant anything to them, including intangible things like their honesty, pride, and self-worth.

That’s why those who decide to face their addiction and overcome it are courageous. When the effects of the drugs or alcohol wear off, the harsh reality of their circumstances comes crashing in. That’s also why facing addiction is most often best done with the help of a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.

In Narconon centers across the world, you will find caring and professional staff, many of whom have firsthand experience with addiction—people who have struggled with their own addiction, have successfully overcome it, and have decided to use their experience for good and give back and help others. These are individuals who had the strength to face and battle their own demons and who have the courage, compassion, and resilience to help others do the same.

For many addicts who decide to get help, having someone who has had similar experiences and who has made it through the other side of addiction can be a crucial factor in their own success. Many recovery programs have their roots in peer support. Peer support workers can provide inspiration and hope for those going through treatment, and because of shared similar experiences, they are able to communicate with true compassion and understanding. In recent times, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has stated that “peer workers are emerging as important members of treatment teams.” Peer support has been a central part of the success of the Narconon program since its inception.

“I became better at communicating with my surroundings and my twin. My life improved, and I became better at following my thoughts, my thought train, and understanding my emotions.”

Not only do many of the staff understand addiction on a personal level, but individuals going through the program are also paired up in teams to help one another through the steps of the program, particularly the Objectives. One Narconon graduate shares the value of the Objectives and, working with a peer in their success story, stated that “objectives were full of difficulties—with myself, my patience, my twin, and the Objectives themselves. Over time, I became much more patient and aware of my surroundings, body, and environment. I became better at communicating with my surroundings and my twin. My life improved, and I became better at following my thoughts, my thought train, and understanding my emotions.” Patience and communication are two important building blocks to a successful, drug-free life. These are skills this individual gained through working with a peer.

Tackling addiction is not an easy task, especially at the beginning. But with the right program and the right support, addiction can be overcome, and eventually, it will get easier day by day. There is a way through to the other side of addiction, and that path can be traveled with help from those who have been there and know the road out.

Source:

• SAMHSA. “Peer Support Workers for Those in Recovery,” n.d. https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/peers.