Supporting and Building the Peer Recovery Workforce: Lessons from FORE’s 2023 Survey of Peer Recovery Coaches

Peer recovery coaches play an indispensable role in helping people with opioid use disorder (OUD) find treatment and sustain their recovery, but little is known about the workforce itself. FORE commissioned what is believed to be the most comprehensive survey to date of peer recovery coaches who support people with OUD. The survey was conducted from October 25, 2022, to January 19, 2023, among certified peers in 11 states.

Read the survey report to learn about peers’ experiences with training, certification, supervision, and compensation, what motivates them to do their work, and what supports they would need to remain in the profession. You can also watch videos of peers from Maine and New York to hear about their experiences.

The survey was conducted in partnership with the survey research firm, SSRS. The questions were developed in concert with peers, state certification boards, and other peer organizations.

On June 12, 2023, we also held a webinar to reveal the findings of the survey and discuss what policies are needed to support and build the recovery workforce.