Ongoing Recovery Support and Peer Networks: A Preliminary Investigation of Recovery Peer Supporters and Their Peers

Abstract

Social networks are important to recovery—fewer drug users and fewer heavy drinkers in a social network have been associated with a higher likelihood of remission. The aim of this study is to evaluate the recovery capital and quality of life of recovery peer supporters and their community peer contacts and to map their social networks. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were combined in a cross-sectional survey with matched pairs recruited through the Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme, based on 13 paired interviews. There are positive correlations between outcomes on the recovery-functioning scales and time in recovery. People in recovery are well connected to other people in recovery; they spend the most time with other people in recovery and go to them for emotional support and practical help.

KEYWORDS:

• recovery peer supporters
• peer networks
• social supports