Peer Recovery Support Centers

Peer Recovery Support Centers (PRSCs) are vital spaces for many people in recovery. They provide a wide range of recovery services, from support groups and one-to-one support, to education, recreation, and wellness activities – all in a peer community environment that provides human connection, hope, and a sense of belonging.

The role of peer support in recovery

In recovery, people make changes over time – in the choices they make about their health, their activities, ways of thinking, ways of feeling and processing emotions, or in any way that helps them feel better physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. While these changes are ultimately positive, it can be difficult to make and maintain any type of change. It can be helpful to have a supportive community of peers – people who have lived experience with recovery – to turn to.

Peer recovery support services are non-clinical recovery services that are designed and provided by people with lived experience in addiction and recovery. A common example of peer recovery support is a 12-step group or other peer support groups. Recovery coaching is another example of peer support. Recovery coaches work directly with people seeking support by providing mentorship, health and wellness education, practical suggestions for living in recovery, and more. They draw on their own recovery experiences and model what a life in recovery might look like.

PRSCs are hubs for support, community, and hope

PRSCs take the many types of peer support services available and bring them under one roof in a warm and welcoming space with the goal of providing support for all facets of a person’s life in recovery. The offerings at PRSCs are based on national standards and best practices in providing peer recovery support services. At a PRSC, you might find support groups, recovery coaches, meditation or yoga sessions, journaling, art, or music workshops, career or financial education, community meals, and fun recreational activities. Bringing these different tools into one space helps build a community that fosters hope and healing.

If you’d like to check out a PRSC and see how it might fit into your recovery, Massachusetts has a network of free and accessible PRSCs in all regions of the state. You can also find a PRSC that’s convenient for you using the Helpline’s search tool or by talking to a Helpline Specialist by calling 800.327.5050, texting HOPE to 800327, or using the online chat feature.