Dawn Farm Addiction And Recovery Education Series

“People Like Me: Mutual Aid and Recovery from Substance Use Disorders” was presented on April 23, 2019; Todd Diana, Dawn Farm staff, and a five-member panel. Since the 1700’s people have banded together to help each other recover from substance use disorders. Today, people seeking peer support for recovery from substance use disorders, as well as family members and friends of people with substance use disorders, have an expansive menu of mutual aid groups they can participate in. Research demonstrates that active involvement in mutual aid recovery groups significantly improves a person’s chances of long-term recovery and supports the effectiveness and practical impact of mutual aid groups. For people seeking recovery support, mutual aid groups often provide a sense of belonging, understanding, acceptance and connection as well as practical help and support. This presentation will provide an overview of the history, development and current status of mutual aid recovery programs in the USA, and the research sup