How can a peer who provides recovery support best be described?

The most accurate description of a peer who provides recovery support is someone with lived experience and formal training. This means they not only have personal experience with their own recovery journey, which gives them insight and empathy towards others in similar situations, but they also have undergone training that equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary to support others effectively. This combination of lived experience and formal training allows peers to connect authentically with those they help while also using best practices in recovery support.

Providing recovery support is fundamentally about understanding the challenges faced by others and having the tools to facilitate their recovery process. Thus, a peer recovery coach's unique perspective as someone who has navigated similar struggles and has received formal education distinguishes them from individuals lacking personal recovery experience or training. This dual qualification enhances their capacity to inspire hope, share coping strategies, and help individuals find their own path to recovery.