Peer support can be a valuable component of recovery programs for individuals dealing with substance abuse and mental health challenges. This type of support goes beyond traditional clinical treatment by involving people with lived experiences who offer guidance, empathy, and support.
During a recent panel discussion in Clarksville hosted by the 100 Families Initiative, experts highlighted the transformative impact of peer support, its historical roots, and the progress it has made, particularly in Arkansas.
The panel began by discussing the multifaceted nature of recovery programs. A comprehensive recovery approach often involves more than just drug and alcohol counseling; it includes a variety of supportive services such as parenting classes, budgeting, domestic violence counseling, anger management, and an evidence-based recovery curriculum. Some programs also incorporate medical professionals to assess the overall health needs of clients, addressing issues like untreated diabetes or mental health disorders that may be mistaken for symptoms of substance abuse.
Sharon Garrett, the executive director at Safe Haven Ministries, highlighted the role of integrated medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. MAT combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery.
"We want to make sure we are addressing the problems they have, rather than just treating the symptoms," said Garrett.
Safe Haven provides additional support such as free childcare and transportation, making it easier for parents to access the help they need.
Executive Director of Next Step Recovery Jimmy McGill, a panelist with extensive experience in recovery advocacy who currently manages a recovery house for men in Clarksville, traced the origins of peer support back to the 1800s. He shared the story of John Thomas Perceval, a British soldier who was confined in an asylum due to schizophrenia.
"He sought out help, and he found himself chained to a wall in an asylum. For three years, this British soldier who should have been getting the help he needed was shackled by his hands and feet and chained to a wall. That was their form of help back then," explained McGill.
After his release, Perceval began advocating for others who were still institutionalized, eventually forming the Friends of Lunacy Society. This grassroots advocacy laid the groundwork for modern peer support by emphasizing lived experience and mutual support as key components of recovery.
"There's a quote by Perceval that I like to use: Who will be their voice if not me?" McGill noted.
Today, peer support is recognized as an evidence-based practice delivered by individuals with both lived experience and professional training. Peer support specialists undergo certification, adhere to a code of ethics, and work under the supervision of credentialed recovery managers. These specialists help bridge the gap between clinical treatment and the lived realities of those in recovery.
Amber McClure is the residential administrator at Safe Haven Ministries. She once went through the recovery process and is now giving back by providing support to the 22 women who currently live at Safe Haven.
"I think one of the most profound revelations that I've had coming from a life of addiction and transitioning into recovery is that I can't do it alone. And, the program I was in, there was a group of us and we went to meetings. We were doing it together and learning how to live together. We're all still very close. Any new ladies that come into the program, they see that and they want that too. I think it's evidence that there is hope," said McClure.
Peer Support in Arkansas
The introduction of peer support programs in Arkansas was significantly influenced by McGill’s advocacy efforts. In 2017, Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a waiver allowing McGill, then a parolee with three years of recovery, to lead the development of peer support services in the state. McGill’s work resulted in the creation of 54 programs, and today there are over 800 peer support specialists in Arkansas.
Peer support has been integrated into various sectors, including law enforcement, community centers, and specialty courts.
"I like having the peer support specialists so we have someone to refer people to who has been through it. Being able to talk to someone who has had some experience just makes a world of difference," said Johnson County Sheriff Tom Hughes.
The panel noted the effectiveness of having peer support specialists within law enforcement agencies to help change perceptions and improve outcomes.
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The Benefits and Challenges of Hiring Peer Support Specialists
Hiring peer support specialists offers numerous benefits, but it also presents unique challenges. As the panelists discussed, one of the most significant advantages is the ability of peer support specialists to connect with clients on a deeper level. However, peer support specialists may lack certain life skills due to time spent in addiction, which can require additional training and support from their employers. Effective communication, mutual respect, and shared learning are critical to overcoming these challenges.
Peer Support Across Different Fields
Peer support specialists in Arkansas can be found working in diverse settings, including emergency rooms, jails, and treatment centers. Their presence has been shown to reduce costs and improve outcomes. For example, the integration of peer support in emergency rooms has saved hospitals significant costs by reducing repeat admissions for overdoses. Similarly, peer support programs in jails have helped reunify families and keep individuals out of the criminal justice system.
Looking to the Future
The panelists emphasized the importance of a future where peer support becomes even more widespread and integrated into various facets of community life. They also noted the importance of a unified front in expanding peer support services, suggesting that even small differences made by individual peers can collectively result in substantial positive changes.
The panel concluded with a discussion on how communities can work together to remove judgment and bias against peer support programs. They stressed the importance of education, open dialogue, and community involvement in overcoming stigma and building a more supportive environment for recovery.
Smart Justice is a magazine, podcast, and continuing news coverage from the nonprofit Restore Hope and covers the pursuit of better outcomes on justice system-related issues, such as child welfare, incarceration, and juvenile justice. Our coverage is solutions-oriented, focusing on the innovative ways in which communities are solving issues and the lessons that have been learned as a result of successes and challenges.
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