Life In Recovery

What Is a Peer Recovery Support Specialist?

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Written by

Anna-Grace Washington

Medical Content Writer

Medically reviewed by

Dr. William J. McCreight III, MD

Medical Director, 2019–2024

Published May 17, 2021 · Updated November 5, 2025

On This Page · 6 Sections

Peer support is an essential part of recovery that adds to the quality of addiction treatment programs as well as life after treatment. If you’re in recovery, a Peer Recovery Support Specialist is just one type of professional you may work with during treatment.

Below, we’ll explain more about what a Peer Recovery Support Specialist is, what they do, and how they are qualified to lead you through your sobriety journey.

What Is a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist?

A Peer Recovery Support Specialist is an individual who is in recovery from a substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health disorder. They draw from specialized training and personal experience to provide recovery support to others in recovery.1 Sometimes, a Peer Recovery Support Specialist may also be called a Peer Recovery Coach.

Peer Recovery Support Specialists may work in a variety of settings, including:

  • Recovery centers
  • Sober living homes
  • Drug courts
  • Emergency room departments
  • Child welfare agencies
  • Homeless shelters
  • Behavioral health and primary care settings

What Does a Peer Recovery Coach Do?

Peer Recovery Coaches or Peer Recovery Support Specialists walk alongside sober individuals as they adjust to a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. Recovery coaches work directly with clients to establish a relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect.

To help individuals achieve long-term sobriety, Peer Recovery Support Specialists provide many different types of non-clinical support, which fosters hope, healing, and overall wellness.

Emotional support – Peer Recovery Support Specialists provide emotional support by offering sincere empathy and concern. Their life experiences with addiction help them connect with individuals who are newly sober and provide validation and understanding.

Concrete support – Peer Recovery Support Specialists can also help people in recovery locate sober housing, employment, volunteer opportunities, and local recovery support groups. These resources help newly sober individuals establish a stable life after addiction treatment.

Informational support – Peer Recovery Support Specialists can provide referrals to community resources that support health and wellness as well as other pertinent information that newly sober individuals might need.

Outreach support– Peer Recovery Support Specialists have many valuable connections to community support groups, recovery events, and related activities that can enhance a person’s recovery experience.

Peer recovery coaches also work one-on-one with clients and their families to develop a recovery plan for each individual. These plans are tailored to each person, taking their ongoing treatment needs, financial circumstances, and lifestyle into consideration.

Overall, peer recovery support services encompass a whole-person approach to recovery. They provide valuable tools and resources that help people thrive in recovery.

Common topics covered in clinical group therapy.

What Qualifications Does a Peer Recovery Support Specialist Have?

Peer Recovery Support Specialists have very specific qualifications, training, and life experiences that equip them to work with people in recovery. As such, they are uniquely qualified to support newly sober individuals and guide them through that life transition.

The National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) provides a certification program for people who want to become certified Peer Recovery Specialists. To become nationally certified by the NAADAC, applicants must:

    • Have a high school diploma, GED, or higher
    • Have a minimum of two years in recovery
    • Have a minimum of 200 hours of direct practice in a peer recovery support environment (paid or volunteer)
    • Have earned 60 contact and training hours of peer recovery-focused education and training
    • Have two references
    • Receive a passing score on the National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) exam

Inside Rustic Creek, our Austin flagship

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Cozy living area in Austin sober living home with sectional sofa, glass coffee table, and wall art.
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Shared apartment kitchen with dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel stove, microwave, and refrigerator.

What Are the Benefits of Working With a Peer Recovery Specialist?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, peer recovery coaching is a highly effective service. Not only do individual testimonies support that fact, but so does the research.2

A continually growing body of research shows evidence that people receiving peer recovery support are likely to experience:

      • Reduced drug and alcohol use
      • Reduced criminal justice involvement
      • Decreased emergency service utilization
      • Reduced re-hospitalization rates
      • Increased housing stability
      • Increased treatment retention
      • Improved relationships with treatment providers
      • Improved access to peer support

It’s not surprising that peer support services come with such great benefits. Working with a Peer Recovery Specialist combines the real life experience of a sober mentor with specialized training and one-on-one supervision. This enhances the quality of life for people in long-term recovery.

Work With a Peer Recovery Specialist at Eudaimonia Homes

At Eudaimonia Homes, we see great value in peer recovery support services, so we partnered with Austin-based provider, MAP (Measure Act Prevent) to offer peer support programming to our clients.

Our certified Peer Recovery Specialist Support (PRSS) Program helps clients maintain their sobriety by offering:

      • A personalized recovery plan
      • Weekly support sessions with a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist
      • 24/7 access to live recovery support services
      • Bi-weekly family support sessions

By offering our PRSS program to eligible clients, we help newly sober individuals sustain their sobriety by extending their time in treatment. These peer support services also help prevent relapse and ease the transition between different levels of care, such as moving from a residential rehab program to an intensive outpatient program.

Eudaimonia clients are eligible for our PRSS program when they:

      • Transition out of detox and residential rehab
      • Are admitted into our IOP or sober living programs
      • Are discharged home from residential rehab or detox

Many of our clients also use our MAP PRSS program to enhance their IOP attendance or sober living program participation.

Get Peer Recovery Support Today

If you or a loved one recently got sober, now is a great time to enroll in our certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist Program. Our admissions team is available to answer any questions you have or to verify your insurance coverage for our MAP PRSS program. Please call (713) 818-2361 to get started today.

References:

    1. https://www.naadac.org/ncprss
    2. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/brss_tacs/value-of-peers-2017.pdf

    • What residents say

    In their words, not ours

    Real Google reviews about the rooms, the staff and the structure.

    4.4 average across 4 rated Eudaimonia locations · 161 reviews · pulled from Google August 15, 2026

    “Overall, it's a great place to build on your recovery. It's a different concept from traditional sober living homes because you're actually living in apartments. I have my own apartment so I have a…”
    Chad2 months agoAustin
    “I’d live here forever if I could. Clean, comfortable and great people live here. Exactly everything you’d expect from a sober living. Accountability for recovery; which includes 12 step mtgs, a…”
    Nicholas Tolar4 months agoAustin
    “I've been in several sober living facilities in the last three years. There were those that were only facades run by thieves and hypocrites. It takes not much to supply an excuse to a person newly in…”
    Christopher Sandersa month agoAustin
    “First of all really great experience at this house I mean everybody respects each other cook great food.. That guy Jamie though top notch chef in the kitchen every day slaving over a hot stove.. It…”
    Jason Saizxsaiza year agoCollingdale
    “Absolutely exceptional experience at this recovery home! Rich Pappas, the owner’s dedication shines through in every aspect – from the immaculate cleanliness of the facility to the genuine care and…”
    Patrick Debinski2 years agoCollingdale
    “I've been with Eudaimonia Recovery Homes for nearly 2 years now. From nice amenities to cozy beds. This as been the best part of my recovery journey yet! And I'm still going. Thank you guys in…”
    Collin White8 months agoHouston
    “Been living here since they opened. The house is beautiful and spacious. I wouldn't want to work my recovery anywhere else.”
    clutch fork2 years agoColorado Springs
    “Wonderful place to get grounded in recovery. Great place to learn the proper way to go through the 12 step program. The design and the staff teach at a healthy pace to get you through the steps in a…”
    Danny Grimes2 months agoAustin
    “If I could do four and a half I would but I can't so I'll err on the side of grace. The pictures on the website actually match the apartments. The maintenance is mostly on point except for smaller…”
    Antonio Renaud2 months agoAustin
    “Good location and the house is full of good guys. Everybody is respectful, clean and nothing is ever pushed onto you- only suggested. Your recovery is your choice and what you make it and this house…”
    Steven6 months agoCollingdale
    “This is a great place to start a recovery journey. They created a positive and safe environment to feel comfortable at. The house is updated, newer, and clean. Very easy living. The owner, Rich…”
    Daniela year agoCollingdale
    “Best sober living homes in Texas, especially in Houston! Rates are great and staff are great to work with! Houses are comfortable and the recovery is strong! Locations are great too!”
    Michael Kerr8 months agoHouston
    “They treat you fair and like an adult . You aren't treated like an addict but more so a human . Everyone is held to the same standards and things run smoothly.”
    Trevin McCormick2 years agoColorado Springs

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