Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40421364›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in public health2025

Systematizing peer recovery support services for substance use disorder: a taxonomy for measuring recovery milestones.

Kimberly Horn, Ryan E Flinn, Angela Marie Hagaman, Kristyn Zajac, Lauren A Hoffman, Melissa N Poulsen, Camille C Cioffi, Ducel Jean-Berluche, Ethan Spana, Patrick F Hibbard and 2 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Kimberly HornInstitute of Policy and Governance, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
Ryan E FlinnDepartment of Education, Health & Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States.
Angela Marie HagamanAddiction Science Center, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States.
Kristyn ZajacCalhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, United States.
Lauren A HoffmanRecovery Research Institute, Center for Addiction Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
Melissa N PoulsenDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, United States.
Camille C CioffiPrevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States.
Ducel Jean-BerlucheBe Well Institute for Substance Use and Related Disorders, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Ethan SpanaDepartment of Education, Health & Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States.
Patrick F HibbardChestnut Health Systems - Lighthouse Institute, Chicago, IL, United States.
Tess K DrazdowskiChestnut Health Systems - Lighthouse Institute, Chicago, IL, United States.
Aaron HoguePartnership to End Addiction, New York, NY, United States.

Funding

Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research (CHEARR)R24DA057632 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT · PI Kristyn Zajac · 2022 to 2026
$3.0M
Diversity Supplement: Building a Lasting Foundation to Advance Actionable Research on Recovery Support Services for High Risk Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: The Initiative for JEAPR24DA051950 · NIDA · OREGON SOCIAL LEARNING CENTER, INC. · PI MCCART, MICHAEL R, SHEIDOW, ASHLI J · 2020 to 2025
$2.8M
Studies to Advance Recovery Supports (STARS) in Central AppalachiaR24DA051973 · NIDA · EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY · PI HORN, KIMBERLY A, PACK, ROBERT P · 2020 to 2024
$2.6M
A Patient Engagement Resource Center using Community-Based Participatory Action Research to Support Parents with Substance Use DisordersR24DA061209 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF OREGON · PI Camille C Cioffi, Leslie Diane Leve · 2024 to 2026
$1.4M
Reducing Opioid and Other Drug Use in Justice-Involved Emerging Adults using Paraprofessional Coaches (with and without Lived Experience) to Deliver Effective Services in a Non-Treatment SettingK23DA048161 · NIDA · OSLC DEVELOPMENTS · PI DRAZDOWSKI, TESS K. · 2020 to 2024
$963k
Evaluation of a peer recovery support program adapted to target retention in clinic-based medication for opioid use disorder treatmentR61DA059880 · NIDA · GEISINGER CLINIC · PI POULSEN, MELISSA, ZAJAC, KRISTYN · 2023 to 2023
$943k
Leveraging Parents and Peer Recovery Supports to Increase Recovery Capital in Emerging Adults with Polysubstance Use: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Scaling Up of LaunchR34DA057639 · NIDA · OREGON SOCIAL LEARNING CENTER, INC. · PI DRAZDOWSKI, TESS K. · 2022 to 2024
$810k
Developing and testing an intervention to enhance recovery capital amid opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy: A pilot randomized trial of assertive linkage to recovery community centersK01DA055768 · NIDA · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI HOFFMAN, LAUREN A · 2022 to 2025
$753k
NIDA NIH HHS K01 DA055768NIDA NIH HHS K23 DA048161NIDA NIH HHS R24 DA051950NIDA NIH HHS R24 DA051973NIDA NIH HHS R24 DA057632NIDA NIH HHS R24 DA061209NIDA NIH HHS R34 DA057639NIDA NIH HHS R61 DA059880
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex and individualized process requiring multifaceted support systems. Peer recovery support services (PRSS), provided by Peer Workers, bridge the gap between formal intervention and personal recovery experiences. Drawing on shared lived experience, Peer Workers offer essential support to fellow Peers navigating recovery. However, variability in PRSS roles, training, and settings creates challenges for consistent evaluation and measurement of effectiveness. Objective: Introduce a systematic taxonomy to clarify the roles, functions, and activities within PRSS, providing a structured framework for evaluating their impact on key SUD recovery milestones. Methods: The taxonomy was developed through a rapid narrative literature review, expert consultation, and an iterative consensus process informed by a Delphi-like approach. A multidisciplinary task group of PRSS scientists and practitioners, SUD treatment providers, and individuals in recovery contributed to its refinement. The framework aligns with key components from SAMHSA's national standards (SAMHSA, 2023) to enhance consistency across practice settings. Results: Comprising six primary taxons and 20 branches, the taxonomy organizes PRSS components into structured categories. It classifies variations in lived experience (e.g., direct, indirect, and hybrid), training levels (e.g., basic, specialized, continuous education, and formal education), support approaches (e.g., Peer Worker-led services), and support settings (e.g., community-based, clinical, and justice system). Additionally, it categorizes peer support activities into four core domains: emotional, informational, instrumental, and affiliational support. The taxonomy integrates a structured model for PRSS evaluation, identifying mediators (e.g., support approaches) and moderators (e.g., training levels) that influence recovery outcomes. Conclusion: The proposed taxonomy and integrated evaluation model provide a standardized framework for researchers and practitioners to systematically assess PRSS impact on recovery milestones. By establishing a common language, the taxonomy enhances consistency in PRSS research, identifies empirically supported peer support practices, and informs targeted training and strategic implementation. Future research should prioritize empirical testing of this framework to refine its applicability across diverse PRSS settings and enhance intervention effectiveness and scalability.

Indexed as

Peer GroupSelf-Help GroupsSocial SupportSubstance-Related DisordersDelphi TechniqueHumanspeer recovery support specialistspeersrecovery support servicessubstance usetaxonomy

Identifiers

PMID40421364
PMCPMC12104978

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.