I Have to be Around People that are Doing What I'm Doing

The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing opioid epidemic are causing notable morbidity and mortality among low-income and minority populations. Peer recovery coaches, people with lived experience of substance use and recovery, are uniquely positioned to support underserved, minority individuals who face the greatest barriers to care. This commentary combines research and clinical perspectives to describe the potential role of PRCs in reaching and supporting particularly vulnerable populations during COVID-19. Dr. Julia Felton and colleagues discuss the role of peer recovery coaches in an article published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.