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Assessing the Evidence Base Series
Published Online: 15 October 2014

Peer Recovery Support for Individuals With Substance Use Disorders: Assessing the Evidence

Sharon Reif, Ph.D., Lisa Braude, Ph.D., D. Russell Lyman, Ph.D., Richard H. Dougherty, Ph.D., Allen S. Daniels, Ed.D., Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Ph.D., Onaje Salim, Ed.D., L.P.C., and Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 65, Number 7
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201400047
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Abstract

In recent years, peer recovery support services have become an accepted part of the treatment of substance use disorders, providing a more extensive array of services than typically associated with mutual support groups. Peer providers may help consumers set recovery goals, develop a plan, and work toward and maintain recovery. In this literature review, the last in the Assessing the Evidence Base (AEB) Series, the authors review the evidence supporting peer recovery support services, noting that more research is needed to distinguish the effects of peer recovery support from other recovery support activities.

Abstract

Objective

Peer recovery support services are delivered by individuals in recovery from substance use disorders to peers with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental disorders. This review describes the service and assesses its evidence base.

Methods

Authors searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, and Social Services Abstracts for outcome studies of peer recovery support services from 1995 through 2012. They found two randomized controlled trials, four quasi-experimental studies, four studies with pre-post service designs, and one review. Authors chose from three levels of evidence (high, moderate, and low) on the basis of benchmarks for the number of studies and quality of their methodology. They also described the evidence of service effectiveness.

Results

The studies met the minimum criteria for moderate level of evidence. Studies demonstrated reduced relapse rates, increased treatment retention, improved relationships with treatment providers and social supports, and increased satisfaction with the overall treatment experience. Methodological concerns included inability to distinguish the effects of peer recovery support from other recovery support activities, small samples and heterogeneous populations, lack of consistent or definitive outcomes, and lack of any or appropriate comparison groups.

Conclusions

Peer recovery support providers aim to help individuals achieve and maintain recovery, yet studies to date have not tested the key mechanisms of this intervention. To better demonstrate the effectiveness of peer recovery support, researchers should isolate its effects from other peer-based services. Additional research should solidify its place within the substance use treatment continuum for adults with substance use disorders.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

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Cover: The Nation Makers, by Howard Pyle 1903. Oil on canvas. Collection Brandywine River Museum of Art, purchased through a grant from the Mabel Pew Myrin Trust, 1984.

Psychiatric Services
Volume 65 • Number 7 • July 2014
Pages: 853 - 861
PubMed: 24838535

History

Published in print: July 2014
Published online: 15 October 2014

Authors

Details

Sharon Reif, Ph.D.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
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Lisa Braude, Ph.D.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
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D. Russell Lyman, Ph.D.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
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Richard H. Dougherty, Ph.D.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
View all articles by this author
Allen S. Daniels, Ed.D.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
View all articles by this author
Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Ph.D.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
View all articles by this author
Onaje Salim, Ed.D., L.P.C.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
View all articles by this author
Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D.
Dr. Reif is with the Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Braude, Dr. Lyman, and Dr. Dougherty are with DMA Health Strategies, Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Ghose are with Westat, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Salim is with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rockville, Maryland. He is also with the Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation at SAMHSA, where Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was affiliated when this work was done. Send correspondence to Dr. Lyman (e-mail: [email protected]). This literature review is part of a series being published in Psychiatric Services. The reviews were commissioned by SAMHSA through a contract with Truven Health Analytics. The reviews were conducted by experts in each topic area, who wrote the reviews along with authors from Truven Health Analytics, Westat, DMA Health Strategies, and SAMHSA. Each article in the series was peer reviewed by a special panel of Psychiatric Services reviewers.
View all articles by this author

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