What should a Peer Recovery Support Specialist prioritize according to ethical standards?

A Peer Recovery Support Specialist should prioritize their own recovery according to ethical standards. Maintaining personal recovery is essential as it enables the specialist to embody the principles of lived experience and recovery that they are sharing with peers. By staying focused on their own recovery journey, they can better support others by modeling resilience and self-care, which is crucial in fostering a genuine connection.

Without a solid grounding in their own recovery, the effectiveness of support provided may be compromised. This prioritization also prevents issues such as burnout or emotional distress, allowing the specialist to remain present and engaged in their role. While the needs and wants of peers, as well as organizational goals, are important and should certainly be considered, they should take a backseat to the specialist's own recovery to ensure that they can provide sustainable and effective support.