Peer Support for Substance Use

By Lindsay Abrames

Peer Support Canada recognizes peer support as the mutual emotional and practical support between people who share a common lived experience of mental health and/or substance use health challenges. Peer support groups can be an integral part of recovery, health, and personal growth. They are meant to be a welcoming and stigma-free environment to connect people who are navigating changes to a relationship with substances and orient them toward pathways for recovery that optimize safety and well-being. Groups like Smart Recovery are evidence-informed with trained facilitators, and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous utilize a 12-step abstinence-based approach.

Peer support groups offer opportunities to:

Explore your relationship with substances with compassion and non-judgment
Share experiences of successes and challenges, ask questions, and set substance use health goals
Develop skills and prioritize your wellness
Build and maintain motivation (and hope) for change
Develop a sense of community and belonging to reduce isolation and disconnection
Access a variety of weekly online and in-person platforms to connect with others
Receive additional support between counselling and psychotherapy sessions

If you have been thinking about joining a peer support group, please know that it is common to have hesitancies about sharing vulnerable aspects of your life, especially when guilt and shame are present. Confidentiality, respect, inclusivity, and often anonymity, are important group values. Remember, many people have been through similar situations as you and can offer understanding and encouragement. You may want to try a few different groups to explore what clicks for you and your needs.

Peer Support Groups

Smart Recovery https://smartrecovery.org/

All People, All Pathways https://capsa.ca/peer-support/

Wellness Together Canada – Community of Support https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-ca/service/connect

Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.aa.org/find-aa

Sober Sisters (Ottawa, On-line & In-person) https://ottawaaa.org/meetings/sisters-of-sobriety/

Narcotics Anonymous https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/

Gamblers Anonymous (Ottawa & Surrounding area) https://www.gamblersanonymousottawa.org/

Alcohol-Free Online Communities

Living Sober https://livingsober.org.nz/

Hello Sunday Morning https://hellosundaymorning.org/

The Daily Pledge (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation) https://thedailypledge.org/