Peer to Peer Counseling in Rehab
By Jenn Mullins
Rehab is becoming something that many of us are familiar with. Addiction has spread to every part of the U.S. and the opioid epidemic is a commonplace topic. We see it in our local headlines, on television, and in our communities. The problem is understandably worse in large cities like Chicago, and because of this, Chicago has developed an extensive peer recovery program.
With new problems come new solutions, and the tools used to fight addiction are growing. The Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition is one of these solutions. The CRCC is creating peer-to-peer counseling opportunities and allowing addicts in surrounding areas to help one another.
These are the people who understand addiction and who can work to improve the way that we approach the disease. They’ve been at rock bottom, and they know what the world looks like from there. This type of unique program has helped many people from all over Chicago reach recovery.
These programs allow a former addict to connect with someone who’s attempting to get clean. They can help provide support and relate to people actively suffering from addiction on a deeper level than someone who’s never been there. If you’re interested in knowing whether or not your Chicago rehab has these types of programs and opportunities for addicts, it’s a good idea to reach out and learn more about what they offer.
Why is Peer-to-Peer Counseling Effective?
The official term is National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS), and it requires a bit more than just a willingness to help others. Becoming certified can involve some limited formal training and a certification that recognizes their skills. They are expected to follow a strict code of ethics and to operate under the supervision of a larger facility.
When many addicts seek help, they feel like they just landed in a fishbowl. Everyone is examining their lives from every angle, and they lose that protection that comes with hiding. If you can imagine spending half your life trying to cover an addiction and suddenly being laid bare, then you’ll have some idea of how uncomfortable this can be.
Addiction professionals are there to help, but a lot of addicts feel really disconnected from doctors and professional staff. Sometimes, someone who needs help can experience an “us vs. them” mentality, creating a gap with the people trying to help them when they’re trying to recover from addiction.
An NCPRSS can bridge that gap. They’ve lived in that fishbowl too, and they know how to reach a person who feels disconnected from the rest of the process. Not only are they better at communicating with other addicts, they also have the ability to give someone else hope.
An NCPRSS can act as a role model; they are addicts, and they succeeded. They have personal access to the roadmap leading out of addiction and are fantastic at helping others create their own paths to recovery.
This program isn’t just about the person who’s getting help, though: it also gives former addicts a place where they can experience accountability and the opportunity to reexamine their lives through someone else’s eyes. It’s a cathartic kind of process for the addict who’s in recovery, and they have a chance to make some things right.
Who Does the Counseling?
Peer counseling in a rehab setting is almost always done by a former addict who’s been in recovery for an extended period of time, and who can pass the certification process. Certain colleges, online schools, and other institutes can help you better understand what goes into that process.
Having training is extremely important when it comes to helping others, but genuinely comes second to experience, especially when it comes to areas like Chicago. If there’s one thing that former addicts know, it’s that a person who’s still fighting active addiction can be difficult to reach. Having the skills to communicate their experience can make the peer counseling process effective.
Becoming a Peer Counselor
Almost anyone who’s gone through the recovery process and been successful in their sobriety can become a peer counselor. It’s important to make sure that you’re stable in your sobriety before you try to help anyone else, or you could give in to the pressure.
When you counsel someone, who’s trying to escape active addiction, it puts you very close to drugs and alcohol use. Being able to resist triggers and to stay in control of your own disease is the number one priority.
When you decide that you want to become a peer counselor, you’ll need to speak with the CRCC and other rehabs in the greater Chicago area. They can give you an idea of what their peer counselors do and what type of hiring criteria they have.
Programs like AA and NA work with an informal peer counseling process that uses sponsors and a 12-step program to help support success. Belonging to these groups is a great way to get an idea of how to interact with others, but getting a certification is necessary to work in any professional capacity.
Knowing Your Limits
One of the most important things to understand is that you aren’t responsible for anyone else’s recovery. If you choose to become a peer counselor, then you’ll need to recognize your limits and know what you can and can’t do for another person. Even with some formal training, there will be things that you aren’t qualified to do. This is when it’s really beneficial to work with other addiction professionals who can advise you.
A huge part of recovery is making amends and starting to give back to the people and the local community that you hurt while in active addiction. Becoming a Chicago peer counselor is a great way to become an asset, and to help others like yourself break away from their dependence on drugs and alcohol.
Author Bio
Jenn is a freelance contributor. Whether it’s personal finance, economics, or social issues, Jenn enjoys digging into complex topics to spark new thoughts and conversations
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