Recovery Coaches (CARCs) & Peer Advocates (CRPAs)

Peers can be a valuable asset to someone in recovery or working toward recovery from addiction.

According to Recovery Coaching International, “Recovery Coaching is an ongoing relationship that helps folks who are in or who are considering recovery from addiction to produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses or organizations – while advancing their recovery from addiction.”

We became the coordinating body for Recovery Coach training in New York State in 2011. Since that time, we actively engage in discussions regarding plans for future trainings, building a framework for supervision and certification of recovery coaches and Peer Advocates, and taking responsibility and authority for coordinating recovery coach/peer advocate trainings throughout the state.

According to the New York State Office of Addiction Services & Supports (NYS OASAS), Recovery Coaching is “a form of strengths-based support for persons in or seeking recovery from alcohol and other drugs and other addictions. Similar to life and business coaching, it’s a type of partnership where the person in or seeking recovery directs their own recovery while the recovery coach provides expertise in supporting positive change. Recovery Coaching focuses on achieving any goals important to the “recoveree.” Coaches offer suggestions to assist the individual/family member to begin to take the lead in addressing their recovery needs. Recovery Coaching focuses on honoring values and making principle-based decisions, creating a clear plan of action, and using current strengths to reach goals. The coach serves as an accountability partner to help the person sustain their recovery. The Coach helps the person access recovery, as well as the systems needed to support recovery such as benefit packages, healthcare, etc.”

Certified Addiction Recovery Coaches (CARCs) and Certified Addiction Peer Advocates’ (CRPAs):

 

Do’s Dont’s 
Help to initiate and sustain an individual/family in their recovery from substance use disorder or addiction Diagnose
Help to develop a recovery plan Create treatment plans
Assist a client seeking (or new to) recovery find a wide variety of services and support including harm reduction, detox, treatment, family support and education, local or online support groups; or help a client create a change plan to assist them in recovering on their own Associate with any particular method or means of recovery-are open to and encourage multiple pathways of recovery
Help individuals find ways to stop using (abstinence) or reduce harm associated with addictive behaviors Do not view a recovery/peer as a patient or a client

 

 

 

What is the Difference Between a CRPA and a CARC?

Setting & Role

CRPAs work within NYS OASAS-approved agencies, hospitals, or court systems. CARCs usually operate independently or in community organizations.

Medicaid Reimbursement

CRPA services are typically Medicaid reimbursable. CARCs are generally not.

Supervision

CRPAs in training require 25 hours of supervision for certification, whereas CARCs do not.

Requirements

    • CRPA: Requires 50 hours of training, 500 hours of experience, 25 hours of supervision, and a passing score on the IC&RC exam.
    • CARC: Requires 60 hours of training (50 + 10 electives) and a focus on competence in coaching.

Specialties

CRPA offers specialized certifications, including Family (CRPA-F), Youth (CRPA-Y), and Criminal Justice (CJSR)

Which one to choose?

  • Choose CRPA if you want to work in traditional healthcare or treatment settings.
  • Choose CARC if you want to work only independently, in community settings, or need a nationally recognized title.
Many individuals pursue both, as training hours overlap to a certain extent.

Interested in becoming a Recovery Coach or Peer Advocate?

Click HERE to learn more about how to become a CRPA or CARC.
Click HERE to get a list of upcoming CRPA/CARC trainings.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

CRPA Initial Certification

I want to get my CRPA. What trainings do I need for this?

  • Go here to learn about the CRPA training process

Scholarship Opportunities

Are there scholarship opportunities to obtain the CRPA?

  • If there are scholarship opportunities, you will find application information and the link to apply here.

Are there scholarship opportunities to obtain CRPA Speciality Certifications (CRPA-F, CRPA-Y, CJSR) or the Peer Professional Supervision (PSP) credential?

“A Recovery Coach is a non-clinical support, for persons in Recovery or seeking Recovery.”

~ Chris DeTora

“A Recovery Coach is a non-clinical support, for persons in Recovery or seeking Recovery.”

~ Chris DeTora