Enjolras, Nathalie

New professions in addictology: The case of peer support specialists - 2025.


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Peer support specialists enhance addiction treatment through their lived experience, providing an empathic and individualized approach to recovery. Their responsibilities encompass clinical assistance, psychosocial reintegration, prevention, professional training, and research. Specific training, integrating experiential knowledge with technical skills, ensures their seamless incorporation into health care teams. Nonetheless, challenges persist regarding confidentiality, role boundaries, and salaries. While the beneficial impact of peer support specialists is acknowledged, additional research is necessary to substantiate existing findings.