The Shared Values of Recovery-Oriented Services

SAMHSA's paper entitled "What Are Peer Recovery Support Services?" (find link of the full article below) identifies certain core principles that cut across all recovery-oriented projects whether its peer mentoring, peer-led support groups, wellness centers or any other recovery-oriented community-based services. These shared values include:

1. KEEP RECOVERY FIRST-placing recovery at the center of every effort
2. CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION-honoring different roads to recovery
3. PARTICIPATORY PROCESS-the recovery community leads the process
4. AUTHENTICITY OF PEERS HELPING PEERS-mutual empowerment & service
5. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT-participants becoming leaders for others
6. FOCUS ON STRENGTHS AND RESILIENCIES-developing a strengths perspective
7. SELF-DIRECTION, EMPOWERMENT & CHOICE-the person directs their recovery

These can be "channel markers" for recovery-oriented service providers in helping them navigate successfully through the waters of traditional systems of care for better outcomes. They can also serve as a "compass" for Peer Specialists to gauge themselves against regardless of where the serve or their area of specialization.

The SAMHSA Article "What are Peer Recovery Support Services"?