Peer Recovery Support Services and Recovery Coaching for Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health
• Mental Health Services

Background:

• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) poses a significant public health challenge.
• Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) have emerged as a valuable component of SUD care.
• Previous reviews have highlighted the potential of PRSS, necessitating updated synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize current research on PRSS for SUD.
• To update a prior 2019 review with the latest evidence.
• To focus on quantitative, multi-group studies examining PRSS effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of PRSS for SUD.
• Inclusion of 28 quantitative, multi-group studies (N=12,601).
• Database searches conducted up to December 2024, incorporating new and previous studies.

Main Results:

• PRSS demonstrate a capacity to improve engagement and retention in SUD treatment.
• Preliminary, inconclusive evidence suggests PRSS may also support better substance use outcomes.
• Synthesis challenges persist due to the diverse nature of the literature.

Conclusions:

• PRSS are crucial for initiating and maintaining engagement in the SUD care continuum.
• Further research is required to identify optimal conditions, durations, and populations for PRSS.
• Understanding the nuances of PRSS implementation is key to maximizing their benefit.