Peer-Based Recovery Support Services Within a Recovery Community Organization: The CCAR Experience

Abstract

The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) has a rich history as a lead Recovery Community Organization. This chapter describes CCAR’s evolution from a pure advocacy organization to a provider of peer-based recovery support services. A key part of this story is the development of recovery community centers (RCCs) that are a grassroots model, conceived in the idea of a “field of dreams – build it and they will come.” CCAR’s experience has certainly proved this to be true. And powerful. RCCs have served as the hubs where an impressive array of peer-based recovery support services were designed and delivered. For example, in 2008, 276 volunteers contributed more than 13,000 h of service mostly within the walls of RCCs. 24,951 outbound phone calls were made by Telephone Recovery Support Calls to 1,285 recoverees. As the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy continues to graduate more and more recovery coaches, the impact on local communities and Connecticut’s recovery-oriented system of care will grow through the continued infusion of the language, culture, and spirit of recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. The chapter will close on CCAR’s observations and experience with the healing power within communities of recovery.