Peer-based Addiction Recovery Support: History, Theory, Practice, and Scientific Evaluation, by William A. White

The history of addiction treatment and recovery in the United States contains a rich "wounded healer" tradition. For more than 275 years, individuals and families recovering from severe alcohol and other drug problems have provided peer-based recovery support (P-BRS) to sustain one another and to help those still suffering. Formal peer-based recovery support services (P-BRSS) are now being delivered through diverse organizations and roles. The goals of this monograph are to 1) define PBRS and P-BRSS, 2) present a brief chronology of P-BRS in the United States, 3) discuss the theories and principles that guide the design and delivery of P-BRS services, 4) illustrate the current varieties of P-BRSS, and 5) review the scientific studies that have evaluated P-BRS and specialized P-BRSS. The monograph closes with a discussion of the strengths and vulnerabilities of peer-based recovery support and professionally directed addiction treatment services.

When Knowing the Facts Can Help: Pennsylvania and New York Editions

In 2001, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RJW) and Brandeis University reported that as we entered the 21st century, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use represented the clearest challenge to the nation's health. The report, Substance Abuse: The Nation's Number One Health Problem, stated, there are more deaths, illnesses and disabilities from substance use than from any other preventable health condition. This report and an earlier report eight years prior with a similar conclusion clearly documented and measured the true impact of substance use problems in America. Perhaps most clearly, it challenges our country to listen to the science and again prioritize substance use as the top priority in our healthcare system.

Weathering the Storm: A Guide for Service Providers in Challenging Times

Challenging times are nothing new in the addictions field. As Angela Cornelius Dawson, Director of the Ohio Department of Drug and Alcohol Services said at the December meeting of the ATTC Network, "Our field is always in a recession". This edition of Resource Links offers encouragement as well as some practical suggestions about how to thrive in tough economic times. The contributors discuss everything from self-care for the counselor, to focused, efficient leadership on the state and agency levels, to building balance by using training dollars efficiently, to budget planning with your clients. Hopefully, the lessons we learn during difficult times will serve us well as we wait for better times ahead.