Additional Recovery Supports Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) Program Class Notes

• Family/Friends Introduction
• Pastor/Spiritual Leader
• Self-Help Sponsor
• Mental Health Services What is Recovery?
• Vocational Services The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) working
• Housing Services definition of recovery is:
Pathways to Recovery “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-
There are many different pathways to recovery. CRPA’s support individuals in any path they directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”
choose. There is no wrong choice. Some of the pathways available are: Four Dimensions of Recovery
Medication-Assisted Treatment: Patients are prescribed and delivered medication-assisted Health: Learning to overcome, manage or more successfully live with the symptoms and making
treatment (Methadone/Suboxone) to manage withdrawal symptoms from opioid use disorder. healthy choices that support one’s physical and emotional wellbeing;
These services are combined with individual and group counseling as well as referrals to
appropriate supports. Home: A stable and safe place to live;

12 Step Programs: A fellowship of persons working to achieve and sustain sobriety from the Purpose: Meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteer work, or creative
effects of addiction through working a twelve-step program rooted in peer support, including endeavors; and increased ability to live a self-directed life; and meaningful engagement in
regular attendance at group meetings. society, and;

Harm Reduction Services: Non-abstinent services available to meet the individual “where they Community: Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
are” in active drug addiction. Education and/or syringe exchange services to minimize risk and Defining the CRPA Role
harm associated with substance use disorder.
“A person who helps remove personal and environmental obstacles to recovery, links the newly
Faith-Based: Services often offered through spiritual/religious organizations helping the recovering person to the recovering community, and serves as a personal guide and mentor in the
individual to achieve goals of recovery through connection to spiritual beliefs. management of personal and family recovery.”(William White)
Community Members Engaging with Recovery Centers: A setting designed to offer persons with Use of Lived Experience
substance use disorder, their families, and members of the community meaningful activities of
education and support to understand addiction while connecting with community resources. CRPA’s identify as persons having a personal or family history of substance use disorder. This
unique combination of experiential knowledge (lived experience) and experiential expertise
Four Key Domains of the CRPA (specialized training) enables CRPA’s to assist individuals with their recovery process without
Advocacy- What is means to be an advocate for an individual. taking on a clinical role. The expectation of the CRPA is to be able to combine the experiential
knowledge with the experiential expertise to pass the IC&RC exam certifying you to use this
Ethical Responsibility- The ethical considerations that come into play and how one follows a knowledge and skills to assist someone in their recovery.
strong ethical framework of the profession.
CRPA Role & Function
Education & Mentoring- Being a positive and professional role model to support the skill
development of an individual. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment’s Recovery Community Support identified four
types of recovery support services:
Recovery & Wellness- Setting achievable goals to create a wellness plan with the individual
while using your own experience to support progress along their wellness plan. 1. Emotional Support: Demonstrations of empathy, love, caring, and concern in such
activities as peer mentoring and recovery coaching, as well as recovery support groups.
2. Informational Support: Provision of health and wellness information, educational assistance, Value of CRPA to Person in Recovery
and help in acquiring new skills, ranging from life skills to employment readiness and citizenship
• Shared Experience
restoration.
• Self-Determination
3. Instrumental Support: Concrete assistance in task accomplishment, especially with stressful • Choice
or unpleasant tasks such as filling out applications and obtaining entitlements, or providing child • Dignity of Risk & Right to Fail
care, transportation to support-group meetings, and clothing closets. • Mutuality
4. Companionship: Helping people in early recovery feel connected and enjoy being with • Non-Hierarchical
others, especially in recreational activities in alcohol and drug-free environments. This • Authenticity
assistance is especially needed in early recovery, when little about abstaining from alcohol or • Self-Direction
drugs is reinforced. • Voluntary
Qualities & Attributes of a CRPA
• Enthusiasm: Showing strong excitement and active interest. Working with The Integrated Treatment Team
• Non-Judgmental: Refraining from forming opinions of someone, especially
In your role as a CRPA, you will work directly with the individual in recovery; however, you
negative/critical opinions. will not work alone. Your role requires collaboration with clinical and medical staff to ensure
• Empathetic: Being sensitive and/or understanding of one’s experiences. holistic care of the individual.
• Good Listener: Paying attention while showing an active interest.
• Culturally Competent: Demonstrating knowledge and sensitivity toward different cultural Integrated Treatment: Bringing together a team of professionals (which includes you: the CRPA)
norms, traditions, and behaviors. to combine their individual skills in support of the person in recovery.
• Independent: The ability to work individually with the person in recovery while Holistic Care: Supporting the whole person.
remaining a valued part of the treatment team.
• Understand your Unique Role: Knowledge and competence in your abilities as a trained The Integrated Treatment Team
professional with lived experiences to assist the individual while collaborating with the CRPA: Offers support based on treatment goals identified by the person in recovery and the
treatment team. Clinical CASAC Counselor.
• Genuine: Providing sincere and honest support of the individual.
• Disclosure and Authenticity: Learning to honestly and appropriately share your story Clinical CASAC Counselor: Works with the person in recovery to identify treatment goals and
when necessary while maintaining the confidentiality of the individual in recovery. progress toward meeting each goal.
• Open Minded: Willingness to consider new ideas and reported experiences non- Clinical Supervisor: Oversees the Clinical CASAC Counselor to ensure compliance with
judgmentally. program requirements for the best care of the individual.
History of The Peer Movement Program Director: Ensures all members of clinical staff comply with program requirements in
the best interest of the individual.
• Began with the establishment of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1935. AA and other 12
step groups continue to support many individuals in and out of formal treatment. Nurse-Medical Practitioner: Works with medical staff to ensure the individual is medically
• Harm reduction and syringe exchange began in the 1980s. cleared for treatment, addresses medical concerns, and administers medications when
• Peers also work with veterans, in criminal justice, and other settings including faith-based appropriate.
settings.
Medical Director: Oversees all medical staff while ensuring treatment facilities remain in
• Faith-based recovery groups serve as a major source of unpaid peer support.
compliance with state and federal treatment guidelines.
• The current expansion of peer services allows CRPA’s working in each of these areas to
share knowledge and experience meeting the individual where they are.