PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS
A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist’s sole mission is to help individuals and families recover from behavioral disorders and their related problems. To that end, the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist will help remove or overcome all obstacles to recovery and help each individual and family find resources within and beyond themselves to both initiate and sustain the recovery process. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist’s actions will be guided by the following core recovery values and service guidelines.
- Gratitude & Service Certified Peer Recovery Specialists understand that service to others is a sacred trust and that their actions flow from themselves, from their peer organization, and from the larger recovery community. They offer their experience, strength, and hope to assist others in recovery out of gratitude to those who assisted them in their recovery.
- Personal Recovery Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will work on their recovery so that they may be beneficial to those who depend on them for recovery support.
III. Face and Voice of Recovery
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will be a good example of recovery for those they serve.
- Self –Improvement Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will foster self-improvement.
- Honesty Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will tell the truth and when wrong, they will promptly admit it.
- Authenticity Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will carry the recovery message in word and in deed.
VII. Keeping Promises
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists promise to keep their promises.
VIII. Humility
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will work within their limitations, handle disagreements respectfully, and seek help when they need it.
- Loyalty Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will serve others as others served them and promote the recovery mission of their peer organization.
- Hope Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will help others focus on their assets, strengths, and recovery possibilities.
- Respect Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will honor the imperfections of others and themselves and treat those seeking recovery with dignity.
XII. Acceptance
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists accept all pathways to recovery however diverse, even those opposite their own.
XIII. Recovery Integrity
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists can carry the message, but they cannot carry the person. They help others by empowering the recovery of others.
XIV. Protection
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists do no harm by respecting privacy and refraining from gossip. They avoid all forms of exploitation or harassment of those they serve. Their relationship is a sanctuary of safety.
XV. Advocacy
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists confront injustice when necessary on behalf of those who have not been empowered but never do for others what they can do for themselves.
XVI. Stewardship
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists use or create resources in the wisest way possible to provide benefits others need to achieve recovery.
XVII. Honor
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will honor the rules and regulations of any organization to which they are attached, either through paid employment or volunteer work.
Adapted from Ethical Guidelines for the Delivery of Peer-based Recovery Support Services, William L. White, MA & the PRO-ACT Ethics Workgroup, August 2009.