One of the advantages of the regular meetings attended by all of the members of the Vermont Recovery Center Network is the potential to more broadly disseminate effective models of peer-support services.  This level of peer support has helped to advance Vermont’s recovery center movement by providing the centers with models of peer support that go well beyond AA, NA & other peer to peer groups. These concepts of peer to peer recovery have expanded out from the original 12-step models and now our challenge is to honor the traditions of these programs while being inclusive of other populations who don’t all necessarily view recovery as a “spiritual solution” but who need and deserve to benefit from help and support. The members of the Vermont Recovery Center Network are not affiliated with AA, NA, or any other approach to recovery; their mission is to provide a safe, supportive, substance free environment, which is welcoming to everyone seeking recovery.

Recovery Solutions:

Recovery center staff and volunteers in all centers are improving their responsiveness in assisting people seeking recovery or trying to maintain recovery and prevent relapses. They ask newcomers where they see themselves in their recovery process, encouraging them in their effort and encouraging them to ask questions. After establishing a rapport, they often make suggestions about other supports or services that might be helpful; creating connections that lead to employment, housing and other social services. They are good listeners while gently encouraging people to focus on solutions instead of problems. Our staff and volunteers introduce newly recovering people to others, in order to make them feel like they are being welcomed into a supportive environment.

Making Change: 

“Making Change” was developed in the Upper Connecticut River Valley area of Vermont and New Hampshire. It is aimed at engaging young people involved with substances. The program brings together groups of youth for peer support and has induced many to enter into the recovery process.

Wit’s End

“Wit’s End” is a parent support group which was founded in Rutland, Vermont by the parents of a young woman who died of addiction. The facilitated group is for adults who are concerned about some young person’s use and abuse of substances. The model has been most commonly implemented by a peer leader supported by a trained interventionist/therapist.

Medication-Assisted Recovery System (MARS): 

This peer-to-peer model is under development by the Opiate Dependence Resource Center (ODRC) in Brattleboro, VT. Unfortunately, this approach has not yet been fully refined due to staffing and budget constraints. There have been a number of unsuccessful attempts to establish medication assisted recovery groups, so we are optimistic about this effort, and centers have expressed interest in using the MARS model once it has been finalized.

  
Support for those who identify as dually diagnosed:: 

Double Trouble is a 12 step approach to recovering from addiction(s) and mental disorders has been used in Bennington and there has been interest in helping to spread this approach. There are also Dual Recovery Anonymous groups in Burlington and White River.

   RAMI [Recovery from Addictions and Mental Illness]:

An alternative approach to recovering from addiction(s) and mental disorders that has been used in Barre.

Vet to Vet:

Peer support for veterans with an emphasis on supporting issues such as reintegration, substance abuse, PTSD, and mental health which has been hosted across the state.

Discussion on Medication:

The “Discussion on Medication” peer support meeting was created for individuals taking medications in recovery. The facilitator provides opportunities for people using psychiatric medications and chemical replacement therapies to share about their recoveries and learn practices for identifying appropriately in other recovery venues; avoiding lines like, ‘I’m Polly and I’m Bipolar.’ or sharing in open meetings about their medication’s side effects. They learn about 12 step recovery meeting, creating peer connections and sponsorship is discussed. “Abstinence is not avoiding your medications.” This model should be delivered by peers with extensive experience in recovery.

Employment Programs for Recovered Alcoholics (EPRA):

The Kingdom Recovery Center and Barre’s Turning Point Center have been working to refine and import a peer support model, “Employment Programs for Recovered Alcoholics” (EPRA) from New York City. It is still in development and they are currently researching funding.

Nurturing Parents Program: 

The “Nurturing Parents Program” teaches age-specific parenting skills and addresses the need to nurture ones self. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont trains peer leaders.

The “Rocking Horse Circle of Support” provides a group intervention for mothers 18 to 35 years of age. This SAMHSA model program has been professionally led, but this intervention group, promoting parenting skills, building self esteem and reducing substance use has also been peer led at centers.

Drug Court Group: 

Rutland Turning Point Club has been hosting a peer-led, facilitated, “Drug Court Group.” It meets once a week and is a valuable model as drug courts expand in Vermont.

WRAP [Wellness Recovery Action Plan]:

WRAP is a recovery approach which focuses on self-management and incorporating wellness tools and strategies. It is a system developed by a group of people who had mental health difficulties and holds promise for substance abuse as well. A number of people connected with the recovery centers have been trained in the model and they are now exploring ways to introduce this model to people at the centers in order to help them reduce, modify and/or eliminate symptoms by using planned responses.

     It is important to note: Peer leaders and recovering professionals have been volunteering their time and skills in our recovery centers, supporting the implementation of these “nonprofessional” recovery support services. Recovery centers do not provide clinical services. In other cases professionals have volunteered time and been paid to provide training and skill building workshops, but the Vermont Recovery Center movement maintains a commitment to the use of peer to peer services..