In 2016, FOR-NY created a state-wide survey that was distributed to individuals and families living in recovery from addiction, families who lost a loved one to addiction, and people who have otherwise been impacted by addition. Almost 1700 people across New York participated in FOR-NY’s first recovery needs assessment. Over the last few months, we have highlighted specific focus groups and recovery-oriented systems of care in a series of special reports. In this month’s special report on our series on Recovery in the Empire State, we turn our attention to recovery coaches and peer support.
Q36: If you had a coach or peer supporting you or someone else through the addiction and recovery process, what are the top three things that would be helpful?
Our Findings: People in recovery need peer recovery coaches who are empathetic, knowledgeable and available. Respondents were asked what attributes they would want in a coach or peer supporting them through the addiction and recovery process. The most frequently mentioned were availability 24/7, empathy and education or knowledge of addiction and recovery.