Coping Strategies and Workplace Supports for Peers with Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Introduction: Substance use disorder (SUD) peers provide support and navigation through a fragmented treatment system for people who use drugs (PWUD) and those in recovery. While barriers to peers’ work are well established, from role ambiguity to stigma surrounding substance use, little research has focused on factors that facilitate peers’ work. Methods: We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews (N=20) with peers as part of an evaluation of a larger project related to the opioid crisis in Western New York. Participants were recruited from a regional peer network via flyers, emails, and a brief presentation. Interviews were conducted in person or by phone, audio recorded, and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Peers emphasized two factors: healthy personal coping strategies and strong workplace supports. Coping strategies included a sense of community, setting appropriate boundaries, and self-care routines. At the workplace, peers valued mental and emotional support, as well as professional relationships and organizational policies that made their work easier and supported self-care. For a few peers, professional relationships included advocating on behalf of PWUD by sharing personal experiences of SUD. Conclusions: Peers valued peer colleagues and peer-led organizations, noting how shared experiences of substance use and recovery enabled a unique support system. For peers who lack such support at work, the authors suggest peer networks as an alternative. We also recommend organizational policies and practices to facilitate peers’ work, such as promoting peer input and feedback, but further research is needed to measure effects on peer retention and job satisfaction.

Keywords:

• Peer recovery specialists
• peer navigators
• substance use disorder treatment
• coping strategies
• workplace supports
• qualitative

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the peers who made this work possible by sharing their joys and frustrations. In addition, the authors wish to acknowledge COPE, the regional peer network, for their contribution to the success of the project.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the New York State Department of Health, Erie County Department of Health, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Additional information

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (FR-CARA) grant # 1H79SP080297-01. Supporting organizations had no further role in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.