Research to Recovery 2025

This presentation will cover the following learning objectives: Understand the service delivery of peer support services.

Learning objectives  
-Understand what Peer Support is and is not.
-Understand the medical versus recovery model.
-Understand why Peer Support is necessary/makes a difference.
-Learn ways to protect against peer drift within an agency and as a PRS.

A introduction to Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Anhedonia: what it is, how it impacts recovery and its potential influence on return to use. Techniques and skills to foster meaningful peer connections. Long term benefits of peer support in recovery from Anhedonia.

This panel will explore the challenges and opportunities involved for family members working to support their loved ones in recovery from addiction.  The panel will include parent/child, sibling, peer recovery support specialist and community support perspective all from a place of lived experience.  

A brief overview of Oxford House's history and model, a discussion of research on Oxford House specifically and recovery residences more generally. A discussion of best practices as informed by the research and certification standards (Oxford House, Inc. and National Alliance of Recovery Residences). A brief overview of current recovery residence legislation/regulation and its relationship to research.

While the peer support profession was not official recognized in Virginia until 2016, people with lived experience have been integral to care for individuals with substance use disorders throughout the history of addiction treatment.  This panel will explore the wisdom of professionals who utilized their lived experience as critical part of care since long before peers could become certified in Virginia.  The panel will also explore the individual, organizational and systemic challenges and opportunities of a rapidly growing profession, and how to train and support Professional Peers within addiction treatment and recovery support services.