Dotted lines between the specialist and non-specialist services are used to represent the need for interconnectivity between all services that can play a key role in supporting someone to reduce harm and recover from problem alcohol and drug use. How the wider community can promote recovery These standards will help lived experience initiatives and system partners to identify what stage of development they are at and how they want to develop further. CLERO has developed a map of LERO provision in the UK and Ireland. References As they typically grow in response to local needs, peer-led initiatives tend to be diverse and inclusive organisations with reach into the local community. Their asset-based approach means that LEROs often work in partnership with local community organisations and groups such as faith, women’s and ethnic minority groups. This partnership work can open up pathways between communities and LEROs. Reducing stigma Above all, change takes courage. It always exposes people to the possibility of failure. The prospect of change engages people in an inner dialogue about hope, disappointment, and accountability. Peer-led initiatives are often started without any formal funding and led by an individual or small group, so are necessarily resourceful and entrepreneurial. This means that they are skilled at identifying and tapping into community resources, including:

Also, the existing guidance focuses on peer support, self-help, community support networks and mutual aid for people in treatment and in early recovery. The focus of this guidance is on support for people who are at any stage of recovery, including people who have never accessed treatment.The final outer layer of figure 2 represents the wider community and the factors in it that can promote and inhibit recovery. These factors are represented here by the 5 steps to mental wellbeing and the 5 ways to wellbeing. These are: The Pathways to Recovery program will provide crucial support to people impacted by the opioid crisis who are looking for full-time employment. I encourage any resident who thinks they may qualify, to apply,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “The opioid epidemic has hurt our community and for those suffering from addiction, loss of job stability is a real issue but resources like this can assist in the long road to recovery.” Peer-led services recognise the importance and power that close relationships, like family and friends, have on recovery. They directly support and involve families and friends in the recovery community. This also supports people to recover. Skilled in maximising available resource a range of non-structured interventions that run alongside or after structured treatment and are designed to reinforce the gains made in structured treatment and improve the client’s quality of life in general. Recovery support can include mutual aid and peer support, practical help such as housing or employment support. build on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families, recovery communities and the wider community

Other research pinpoints the values of cognitive behavioral therapy for relapse prevention, as it helps people change negative thinking patterns and develop good coping skills. In addition, learning relaxation techniques can help those in recovery by reducing the tension that is often an immediate trigger of relapse, become comfortable with uncomfortable feelings, and release negative feelings that can trigger relapse. Figure 2 shows how specialist alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services, and the non-specialist services are embedded in the communities they support in an effective ROSC. This diagram follows on from figure 1. Like figure 1, there are 3 circles that represent treatment services, RSS and LEROs. Around these specialist services, the diagram shows the main non-specialist services that can support treatment and recovery outcomes. These are: Does the program engage specific strategies to enhance and maintain patient retention during the first weeks of treatment, when the dropout rate is highest? accountability to the recovery community: RCOs are usually independent, not-for-profit organisations working with treatment providers and other organisations, but retaining independent governance structuresRather than focusing on alcohol and drug use or treatment outcomes, peer-led initiatives focus on supporting personal growth. This includes: Religious faith and spirituality are important to some people’s recovery journeys. This includes people returning to old or adopting new religious or spiritual practices. Healthy environments and access to community resources Avoid/accept. It’s helpful to understand that cravings are normal, and the discomfort will pass. Strategically avoiding potentially problematic situations altogether,