IC&RC Peer Recovery key terms

A personal process of improving health, wellness, and quality of life as defined by the person, built on hope, self-determination, and community support rather than symptom elimination alone.

The internal and external resources a person can draw on to start and sustain recovery, including health, social support, housing, employment, coping skills, and community connections.

An approach that considers physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental well-being together when setting recovery and wellness goals.

A self-designed, person-centered plan that identifies personal wellness tools, triggers, early warning signs, and crisis supports so a person can stay well and respond to difficulties.

A model describing readiness to change in steps such as precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance, used to match support to a person's current readiness.

The right and ability of a person to make their own choices about recovery, services, and life goals, with support rather than direction from others.

A future-oriented belief that change and a better life are possible; peer workers often convey it through their own lived example and steady encouragement.

The capacity to adapt and recover from stress, setbacks, and adversity while continuing to pursue wellness and life goals.

An approach that recognizes widespread trauma, avoids re-traumatization, and emphasizes safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in services and relationships.

Practical strategies that reduce the negative consequences of substance use or other risky behavior without requiring abstinence as a precondition for support.

A recovery framework naming five key processes: connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning and purpose, and empowerment.

A relationship in which a trained person with lived experience of behavioral health challenges offers encouragement, companionship, and practical help to others pursuing recovery.

A trained peer who helps others set and pursue recovery goals, navigate services, and build community supports, using lived experience as a foundation for the relationship.

Firsthand knowledge gained from personally experiencing mental health, substance use, or recovery challenges, which grounds peer support in credibility and empathy.

A peer relationship in which both people give and receive support, share power, and relate as equals rather than as expert and patient.

A peer worker's purposeful sharing of personal recovery experience, used to build trust and hope while keeping the focus on the person being supported.

Demonstrating recovery behaviors, coping skills, and hope through one's own actions and story so that others can see what is possible.

Attending closely to a person's words and feelings, reflecting back what is heard, and asking clarifying questions to show understanding without judgment.

Supporting a person to recognize strengths, make informed choices, and take increasing control over their recovery and life decisions.

A collaborative process in which a person identifies goals, strengths, supports, and steps to maintain wellness and respond to challenges.

Speaking up with or on behalf of a person to protect rights, ensure access to services, and remove barriers, while honoring the person's own wishes.

Helping a person develop the skills and confidence to speak for themselves, understand their rights, and make their needs known to providers and systems.

Connecting a person to needed services, supports, and community resources through referrals, warm handoffs, and follow-up so that practical needs are met and recovery supports are sustained.

A live, personal introduction or transfer of a person to another service provider, rather than a cold referral, to increase engagement and continuity of care.

Helping a person move through complex service systems by clarifying options, coordinating appointments, and addressing practical barriers to care.

Local services and supports such as housing, food, transportation, employment, faith communities, and mutual aid groups that can help sustain recovery.

Directing a person to an appropriate service or resource, ideally with clear information, eligibility guidance, and follow-up to confirm the connection was made.

An ongoing commitment to self-reflection, learning about others' cultures, and recognizing power differences in helping relationships, while adapting support to each person's background and preferences.

A model that provides stable housing without requiring treatment or sobriety as a precondition, then offers supportive services to promote recovery and community integration.

Principles and standards guiding right conduct in peer support, including honesty, respect, responsibility, and protection of the people served.

A formal set of professional standards and expectations that defines acceptable conduct, responsibilities, and accountability for peer support workers.

The duty to protect a person's private information and share it only with appropriate consent or as required by law.

A person's voluntary agreement to a service or disclosure after receiving clear information about purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Clear limits that define the helping relationship and keep it safe, respectful, and focused on the peer's recovery rather than the worker's needs.

Situations in which a peer worker has another significant relationship with a person served, such as friendship, family, or business, which can create conflicts of interest.

Legal requirements to report suspected child abuse, neglect, or certain dangers to designated authorities, even without the person's consent.

The range of roles, tasks, and responsibilities a peer worker is trained and authorized to perform, including limits that require referral to other professionals.

A written, time-limited authorization that allows a provider to share specified information with named people or agencies, consistent with privacy laws and the person's stated wishes.

A structured process for resolving dilemmas by identifying the issue, gathering facts, considering principles, consulting others, and choosing and reviewing an action.