More than Just a “Peer” — A Lifesaver

Peer support services in addiction care are growing across the United States. A variety of models and professional titles (e.g., recovery coach, peer support, peer advocate) exist; the common denominator is that peer workers have lived experience with addiction and undergo specialized training in resource navigation and emotional support (see Figure 1). In this study, investigators in New York City examined outcomes of a citywide peer support program with 24/7 coverage in 14 emergency departments (EDs). Peer workers provided personalized overdose risk reduction and resource navigation in the ED and during an offered 90-day follow-up period to 5000 patients over 6 years.