What Does a Peer Recovery Mentor Do?
Young adults with substance use issues often find themselves hopeless, alone, and without the resources needed to achieve lasting recovery. All of our peer recovery mentors are certified through the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) and have been in long-term recovery for at least one full year. Peer recovery mentors help guide individuals seeking recovery through a range of activities aimed at building recovery capital:
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Entering and exiting various formal treatment services
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Guiding individuals toward a recovery pathway that is right for them
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Overcoming barriers
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Setting and achieving goals
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Accessing recovery support services
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Navigating criminal justice and child welfare systems
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Providing emotional and moral support
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Guiding individuals to partner organizations and agencies that provide clinical and mental health services
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Developing social support groups
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Education and occupation support
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Family and parental support
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Entering and exiting various formal treatment services
-
Guiding individuals toward a recovery pathway that is right for them
-
Overcoming barriers
-
Setting and achieving goals
-
Accessing recovery support services
-
Navigating criminal justice and child welfare systems
-
Providing emotional and moral support
-
Guiding individuals to partner organizations and agencies that provide clinical and mental health services
-
Developing social support groups
-
Education and occupation support
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Family and parental support
Testimonials
“I really like the way that you can just be yourself there without any judgment. If you want help, you can just ask for it and they will not think of you any less no matter what you are going through. They are just there to help you.”
- 4D client
“4D showed me how to accept myself by accepting me when I first came into the rooms. No judgment, no shame, no guilt–just pure love and acceptance. They made me feel at home and that I was ok to have hope again.”
- Former 4D Client
What is Recovery Capital?
According to William Cloud and Robert Granfield, recovery capital refers to “the breadth and depth of internal and external resources that can be drawn upon to initiate and sustain recovery.” As people with substance use disorders acquire meaningful resources like housing, employment, and social connections and support, long-term recovery becomes more attainable.
“[My peer mentor] helped me get my life back in order by first teaching me how to set realistic goals, getting me into sober housing, and then provided transportation to enroll into school. … I think having a mentor keeping me accountable and pushing me to achieve my goals was the best tool I’ve had in my recovery.”
- 4D Client
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone between the ages of 18-35 who:
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lives in Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas county.
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identifies as having a substance and/or alcohol use problem.
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wants recovery support.
Please note that while individuals not meeting these criteria are ineligible for peer services, they are always welcome to attend our recovery centers for recovery meetings, social events, civic engagement, and other recovery resources.
Our peer-mentor program is FREE to anyone meeting the eligibility requirements.
Depending upon the individual’s needs, mentorship can last as long as the person chooses to engage in services.
4D uses a variety of evidence-based best practices, including a young adult peer manual that was co-authored by our executive director and includes research from recovery scientist Robert Ashford and the Recovery Research Institute.
In 2020, 4D served over 600 people each month and supported their recovery. Of the 285 individuals who engaged in peer support that year, all reported improvements in the following areas:
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Health: 85% experienced improvements in health
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Education: 74% experienced improvements in education (participation, enrollment, attendance).
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Employment: 77% experienced improvements in employment, both finding work and improvements in their current employment
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Housing: 72% experienced improvements in housing (referral, permanent housing, and housing support).
View our full 2020 Annual Report [hyperlink to 2020 Annual Report page], which was conducted by Coimaginge Health.
4D uses a variety of evidence-based best practices, including a young adult peer manual that was co-authored by our executive director and includes research from recovery scientist Robert Ashford and the Recovery Research Institute.
In 2020, 4D served over 600 people each month and supported their recovery. Of the 285 individuals who engaged in peer support that year, all reported improvements in the following areas:
-
Health: 85% experienced improvements in health
-
Education: 74% experienced improvements in education (participation, enrollment, attendance).
-
Employment: 77% experienced improvements in employment, both finding work and improvements in their current employment
-
Housing: 72% experienced improvements in housing (referral, permanent housing, and housing support).
View our full 2020 Annual Report, which was conducted by Coimaginge Health.