Peer Support in Community and Outpatient Settings: Successes, Challenges, and Lessons Learned Claire Bigham, NCCPSS, DRRC June 22, 2023 My Experience PSS Certification in July 2022 Durham Recovery Response Center - Recovery Coach from June
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Presentation Transcript
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Peer Support in Community and Outpatient Settings: Successes, Challenges, and Lessons Learned Claire Bigham, NCCPSS, DRRC
June 22, 2023<br>
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My Experience PSS Certification in July 2022
Durham Recovery Response Center - Recovery Coach from June 2022 to December 2022, Peer Navigator for CLC Peer Support Program from January 2023 to Present
Working with guests to obtain resources such as housing, treatment placement, medication management, benefits, jobs, and more<br>
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Post Overdose Visits with EMS Coordinating with EMS to go out into the community to those who have overdosed within the last 72 hours to follow up with resources, narcan, etc
Can be awkward, embarrassing, or uncomfortable for the guest
Meeting people where they’re at in their recovery journey and reminding them that we are here for them regardless if they are interested in being clean
Out in the community - much more real<br>
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Success Stories Built good rapport with guests
“June” - Guest I met on the unit when she first came on to detox, then came to OPT a few months later and is doing great
“Allie” - A referral from the jail who has been clean since she got here, has started the process of going back to school, and more
“Hector” - A referral from Duke Regional who I’ve worked with on housing, diabetes treatment, and job opportunities<br>
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Challenges & Barriers Carrying the emotional load of guests and their traumas/circumstances/etc
Not always being able to provide proper help to guests - finding housing specific to their needs, proper health care, free programs/benefits
Systemic issues and implications - Programs that do not cater to certain people(i.e. Unable to find housing due to not being “clean”), working around people who have disabilities and limitations, medications/treatments being too expensive
Working with guests who are highly reactive, tend to have outbursts, etc - having to deescalate guests during these times and not take it personally
Having to tell a guest “I can’t help you”<br>
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In Conclusion… Being a Peer Support Specialist has its challenges and its successes, and most importantly an impact
The job can be very rewarding while it also can be hard at times
I love what I do and I love helping people<br>
