What is a Peer Recovery Specialist?
A Peer Recovery Specialist is someone who has lived experience with being in recovery from substance use disorder and is willing to share that experience with others. They also have knowledge of recovery resources on and off campus.
What does a PRS Do?
- Meets with students one on one
- Supports students who are looking to make changes in their substance use or are in recovery
- Focuses on removing obstacles and increasing independence to reach recovery goals
A PRS provides support that is:
- Non-clinical
- Strengths-based
- Trauma-informed
- Resilience-focused
Interested in working with a peer recovery coach? Meet with a Rams in Recovery Team Member
FAQ
Peer Recovery Coaches are people in recovery from substance use disorders and use their lived experience as one of their main connecting points with students who are concerned about their substance use or are in recovery. They uplift and encourage students in their recovery journeys through helping with goal setting, connecting them to resources, and supporting their engagement in the larger recovery community. Peer coaching is generally less formal and is directed by the student. Counseling, available through University Counseling Services, provides clinical interventions and are trained to diagnose mental health and substance use disorders. These two approaches to healing can be used together or individually depending on what is most helpful to you.
That is ok. Different people have different goals when it comes to substance use, and those goals can change over time. We provide coaching services to students focused on reducing harm associated with use as well as students seeking healing and recovery regardless if they are seeking abstinence. Everyone's journey is their own, and we are happy to support you in your substance related goals.
Rams in Recovery services are private, but not confidential. Recovery records are completely separated from academic records.
Information disclosed in recovery coaching and recovery seminars sessions is private and may not be released to anyone outside of RIR without an exception noted by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act(FERPA). RIR adheres to professional, legal, and ethical guidelines established by professional organizations and state law. In accordance with the Code of Virginia, 23-9.2:3, Virginia Commonwealth University (7/1/08) developed policy and procedures for parental notification for dependent students that occurs when there is a (1) substantial likelihood that the student will in the near future cause serious harm to himself/herself or others as evidenced by recent behavior or any other relevant information or (2) suffer serious harm due to his/her lack of capacity to protect himself/herself from harm or (3) to provide for him/her basic human needs. RIR also may consult with other key University partners including University Counseling Services, University Health Services, the Office of Student Advocacy, and the Title IX office in order to coordinate care and support students.