THURS-082 - Experiences and Perceptions of Individuals in Recovery Who Work at Substance Use Rehabilitation Centers

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how individuals in recovery experience and perceive their roles as staff members in substance use rehabilitation centers. Explore how their past experiences, often marked by personal struggles and successes, have shaped their professional identities, enhanced empathy, and impacted client relationships. Identify their challenges in balancing personal recovery with work responsibilities and their strategies—such as self-disclosure and boundaries—to maintain effective client care while safeguarding their well-being. Understand the need for more robust support systems within rehab centers, including counseling, supervision, and peer support, to sustain the health and effectiveness of staff in recovery. This work aims to contribute to existing knowledge of peer-led recovery models and advance equity and effectiveness in addiction treatment.

Detailed abstract description: Attendees will examine the complexities staff face in balancing personal recovery with the demands of a professional role in a substance use treatment center. Many find their recovery journeys interwoven with their work; however, the intensity of the work environment presents unique emotional challenges that can affect their sobriety and overall well-being. How these staff navigate these challenges, maintain stability, and use self-disclosure to motivate clients while maintaining boundaries will be discussed.

This session will provide insights into the roles of three staff members in substance use rehabilitation centers, each at different stages of sustained recovery and their professional roles. Hearing how personal journeys shape individuals will allow attendees to gain a deeper appreciation of the job role and how staff members in recovery leverage these experiences to build trust and rapport with clients, foster compassion, and create impactful relationships grounded in shared experiences.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals in recovery who work at a rehabilitation center. Questions focused on motivations, challenges, and benefits they experience. Staff members expressed their empathy, and shared experiences enhance client trust and engagement in treatment. Key themes that emerged include the role of empathy in client relationships, identity integration as both a person in recovery and a professional, and strategies staff employ to sustain their recovery amidst stress. However, the emotionally intensive work environment can stress their recovery. Selective sharing of personal experiences is a common strategy, allowing staff to connect with clients without compromising professional boundaries.

Attendees will understand how rehabilitation centers can benefit from providing specialized support to staff members in recovery, ultimately enhancing their workforce’s overall effectiveness and stability. These insights are critical for clinicians, policymakers, and case managers working in addiction treatment, as they illuminate the importance of peer-led recovery models and staff uniquely positioned to work in these rehabilitation centers. The results of this study stress that individuals in recovery bring value to working with clients who have similar experiences. This session offers actionable recommendations to build supportive workplaces for staff in recovery, fostering a more effective, empathetic, and sustainable peer support model for addiction treatment. These recommendations include regular supervision, peer support programs, and access to mental health services. These measures will help sustain the resilience of staff members in recovery, prevent burnout, and enhance the therapeutic environment. Future research should examine client perspectives on peer support to deepen understanding of how these relationships impact recovery outcomes.