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Peer Support at the Intersection of Disability and Opioid (Mis)Use: Key Stakeholders Provide Essential Considerations

Author

Listed:
  • Joanne Nicholson

    (Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA)

  • Anne Valentine

    (Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA)

  • Emily Ledingham

    (Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA)

  • Sharon Reif

    (Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA)

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities may experience higher rates of opioid/substance use disorders (OUD/SUD) than other individuals and are likely vulnerable to unmet treatment needs. Peer support may be beneficial to these individuals, given the evidence of benefits in target populations with similar needs and the potential for overcoming barriers to treatment suggested in the available literature. The objective of this exploratory study was to specify essential considerations in adapting peer support for this population. Diverse key stakeholders ( n = 16) were interviewed to explore the experiences, needs, and available supports for individuals with disabilities and OUD/SUD. A Peer Support Work Group including members with lived experience advised each component of the study. Semi-structured interview data were content analyzed and memos generated to summarize themes related to the research question. Participants reported extensive professional and personal experience in human services, disability, and recovery. Emergent themes included the importance of accessibility and model fit, the notion of “peerness” and peer match, and essential aspects of peer recruitment, training, and support. An accessible, acceptable, effective model of peer support requires particular attention to the needs of this diverse and varied population, and the contexts in which they are identified, referred, and engaged in services.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanne Nicholson & Anne Valentine & Emily Ledingham & Sharon Reif, 2022. "Peer Support at the Intersection of Disability and Opioid (Mis)Use: Key Stakeholders Provide Essential Considerations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9664-:d:881267
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Inger Ljungberg & Thilo Kroll & Alexander Libin & Samuel Gordon, 2011. "Using peer mentoring for people with spinal cord injury to enhance self‐efficacy beliefs and prevent medical complications," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(3‐4), pages 351-358, February.
    2. Catherine Okoro & Tara Strine & Lina Balluz & John Crews & Satvinder Dhingra & Joyce Berry & Ali Mokdad, 2009. "Serious psychological distress among adults with and without disabilities," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(1), pages 52-60, June.
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