Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, USA.
Division of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA.
J Subst Abuse Treat. 2021 Mar;122:108182. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108182. Epub 2020 Oct 21.
The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing opioid epidemic are causing notable morbidity and mortality among low-income and minority populations. Peer recovery coaches (PRCs), people with lived experience of substance use and recovery, are uniquely positioned to support underserved, minority individuals who face the greatest barriers to care. This commentary combines research and clinical perspectives to describe the potential role of PRCs in reaching and supporting particularly vulnerable populations in the setting of substantial changes in the opioid use disorder (OUD) recovery landscape during COVID-19. During this time, PRCs can provide guidance from their own experience navigating changes to routines and social support systems, reduce social isolation, build trust and buy-in, and support engagement in care. Specific barriers include access to technology and underlying distrust of public and medical authorities. This article highlights the importance of expanding the reach of the PRC workforce as well as supporting their specific needs at this time to combat the intersecting devastation of two epidemics.
译文：COVID-19 大流行和持续的阿片类药物流行正在给低收入和少数族裔人群造成显著的发病率和死亡率。同伴康复教练（PRC）是具有药物使用和康复经验的人，他们处于支持服务不足、面临最大护理障碍的少数群体的独特位置。这篇评论结合了研究和临床观点，描述了在 COVID-19 期间，PRC 在阿片类药物使用障碍（OUD）康复领域发生重大变化的情况下，潜在的在达到和支持特别脆弱人群方面的作用。在此期间，PRC 可以根据自己在日常生活和社会支持系统变化方面的经验提供指导，减少社会隔离，建立信任和认可，并支持他们接受护理。具体的障碍包括获取技术和对公共和医疗当局的潜在不信任。本文强调了在这个时候扩大 PRC 劳动力的范围以及支持他们的具体需求的重要性，以应对这两种流行病的交叉破坏。
