Emergency Department Peer Recovery Support Services for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review of Comparative Studies

This systematic review examined how peer recovery support services in emergency departments may assist people with substance use disorders. Nine comparative studies involving 14,883 individuals evaluated outcomes such as treatment connection, overdose, mortality, and hospital return. Peer recovery specialists use their lived experience to build trust, offer individualized encouragement, provide harm-reduction education, distribute naloxone, and help patients navigate treatment services. These services may increase patient comfort and create meaningful, recovery-supportive connections during a critical opportunity for intervention.

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