Peer Support and Involvement

Peer support is an essential element of recovery in Steppingstone’s residential treatment programs. While participating in these programs, ongoing support, encouragement and honest confrontation of peers helps clients to begin the difficult journey of addressing the disease of addiction. More structured peer recovery support is offered in daily client-facilitated groups.

Peer support focuses on developing peer relationships through Individual Story and Peer Evaluation Groups, as well as client facilitated mini-groups that deal with specific topics or issues of concern related to recovery or other concerns of peers.

During weekly group therapy sessions in Steppingstone’s residential programs, clients are guided and encouraged by peers and staff to deal openly and honestly with conflicts through constructive communication, “I” statements, and opportunities to ask peers for support in a safe environment. For more information regarding Steppingstone residential programs click here: Fall River Women, Fall River Men, New Bedford Women.

Peer support is also available through Steppingstone’s Medical Case Management program. The Program’s Peer Support Leader empowers MCM program participants through providing both one-on-one support in the development of wellness plans and affiliation and navigation assistance, as well as diverse educational and support groups that build both recovery and life skills.

Another type of Peer Support is provided by Graduate Programs participants, who provide mentoring to newly recovering clients in Steppingstone’s residential programs. The Graduates hold several events during the course of the year such as cookouts and recreational activities to help the newer residential clients develop socialization skills and learn how to have fun and fill voids of time that were previously tailored around substance use.