CPSS Recovery Principles & Peer Support Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: SAMHSA's recovery definition includes which of the following as a key domain of life?
- Financial independence and home ownership
- Health, home, purpose, and community (Correct answer)
- Employment, sobriety, and medication compliance
- Clinical stability and professional support
Correct answer: Health, home, purpose, and community
SAMHSA's four dimensions of recovery are health, home, purpose, and community.
Question 2: What is the primary risk of a peer specialist becoming overly involved in a peer's daily life decisions?
- It increases the peer's sense of community
- It may foster dependence rather than independence and empowerment (Correct answer)
- It strengthens the recovery relationship
- It reduces the need for clinical services
Correct answer: It may foster dependence rather than independence and empowerment
Overinvolvement can undermine the peer's self-determination and create unhealthy dependency.
Question 3: How does the 'strengths-based' approach differ from a deficits-based approach in peer support?
- Strengths-based ignores challenges the peer is facing
- Strengths-based focuses on what is working and what the peer does well, not just problems (Correct answer)
- Deficits-based is required during crisis situations
- Strengths-based only applies to substance use recovery, not mental health
Correct answer: Strengths-based focuses on what is working and what the peer does well, not just problems
A strengths-based approach identifies and builds on an individual's existing capacities, resources, and positive qualities.
Question 4: A peer specialist is working with someone who relapses. Which response BEST reflects recovery-oriented peer support?
- Express disappointment and remind them of the consequences of relapse
- Recognize relapse as a common part of recovery and explore what can be learned from the experience (Correct answer)
- Immediately refer them back to inpatient treatment
- Reduce contact until the person demonstrates sobriety
Correct answer: Recognize relapse as a common part of recovery and explore what can be learned from the experience
Recovery-oriented practice acknowledges that relapse is often part of the recovery process and an opportunity for growth.
Question 5: In the NC peer support model, 'peer support' services are designed primarily to:
- Replace clinical treatment services
- Complement clinical services by providing recovery-focused, experiential support (Correct answer)
- Monitor compliance with treatment plans
- Diagnose and treat co-occurring disorders
Correct answer: Complement clinical services by providing recovery-focused, experiential support
Peer support is a complement to, not a replacement for, clinical services, filling gaps that clinical care cannot address.
Question 6: Which ethical boundary is MOST important for a peer specialist to maintain?
- Never mentioning their own recovery story
- Maintaining confidentiality of the peer's personal information (Correct answer)
- Providing advice on medications prescribed to the peer
- Accepting gifts of equal value to ensure reciprocity
Correct answer: Maintaining confidentiality of the peer's personal information
Confidentiality is a foundational ethical obligation that protects the trust and safety of the peer relationship.
Question 7: What does 'trauma-informed care' mean in the context of peer support practice?
- Conducting trauma therapy sessions with peers
- Recognizing that trauma is widespread and adjusting practices to avoid retraumatizing individuals (Correct answer)
- Documenting all traumatic events in the peer's file
- Referring all peers with trauma history to psychiatric care
Correct answer: Recognizing that trauma is widespread and adjusting practices to avoid retraumatizing individuals
Trauma-informed care means understanding the prevalence of trauma and creating environments of safety, trust, and empowerment.
CPSS Recovery Principles & Peer Support Practices 3
SAMHSA's recovery definition includes which of the following as a key domain of life?