Brian Carmody
Peer Recovery Advocate
RECOVER YOURSELF
Support and Encouragement to Action for People Living with Addiction
ADDICTION:
A COMPLEX CONDITION, A BRAIN DISEASE THAT IS MANIFESTED BY COMPULSIVE SUBSTANCE USE
DESPITE CONSEQUENCE
If you struggle with dependency on a substance or behavior, reclaiming your life by choosing recovery is the most important decision you will ever make. It is a decision that will allow for a quality of life simply not possible if you are constantly battling the urge to use, or struggling to manage the disappointment (and often disaster) that results from engaging in addictive behavior.
There is more than one way to recover. The key is finding what works for you. Patience is necessary, as is the willingness to accept that addiction is a real disease with severe consequences if left untreated. Those consequences can be obvious, like totaling a car, losing a job or relationship, or causing physical or emotional harm to another, or they can result in private emotional pain in the form of depression, sadness, anger, and a crippling lack of self-worth. Is recovery easy? Not always, but it is the antidote to a life destabilized by dependency and addiction.
RECOVER:
TO REGAIN SOMETHING LOST
OR GIVEN AWAY
What is a Peer Recovery Advocate and
How Can Partnering With One Help You?
A peer recovery advocate is a person with lived experience and training who supplies vital non-clinical support services to those new to recovery and those refocusing on their recovery. An effective peer recovery advocate has long-term experience navigating life without relying on addictive substances and is thus uniquely qualified to support and guide those seeking to change their lives through recovery.
Supplementing work done with therapists, caseworkers, groups, or spiritual teachers, a peer recovery advocate offers valuable one-on-one focused support that can make the difference between feeling connected to your life and recovery, and feeling untethered and alone. With a focus on rebuilding or restructuring a recovering person’s life via the development and implementation of recovery plans, cultivation and integration of healthy life skills and habits, accountability agreements, relationship strengthening exercises, etc., a peer recovery advocate can help make the move away from a life of addictive substances and harmful behaviors a less arduous and overwhelming experience. Below are examples of some available services. If what you need is not listed, I am happy to discuss how I can help.
Transport escort to and from detox and rehab facilities, medical appointments, family, work, and social events, 12 Step meetings, etc.
Regular face-to-face progress-tracking meetings to acknowledge successes, address problem areas and map out next steps.
Assistance in navigating providers/facilities covered by insurance plan, or if uninsured, help in locating state-funded treatment options, or facilities that accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Phone/Zoom/FaceTime check-ins when non-clinical issues arise, and therapists, doctors, caseworkers, are unavailable. Check-ins can also be scheduled to take place on a regular basis between face-to-face meetings.
Development and implementation of recovery plans tailored to individual needs and goals, as well as verbal and written exercises designed to stimulate recoveree into new ways of thinking about self and health.
Check-ins with therapists, caseworkers, doctors, parole officers, etc., if requested by recoveree.
Consistent contact with a designated partner, friend, or family member while recoveree is in detox or treatment facility when requested by recoveree.
Referrals to qualified therapists, nutritionists, fitness specialists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and other health and wellness professionals.
ABOUT ME
I understand that changing one's behavior is a daunting challenge and that feeling overwhelmed can lead to action paralysis. As your peer recovery advocate, my goal is to help you to recognize potential barriers to your moving forward. I will assist you in identifying the actions necessary to eliminate or reduce unhealthy destructive behaviors and support you as you follow through on those actions.
In addition to having multiple years of uninterrupted recovery, I am a CRPA-P (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) in New York and a certified Peer Recovery Supporter in Ohio. I have participated in individual and group therapy, as well as numerous contemplative retreats and creative workshops. I am a published author (fiction) and have written for The New York Times Magazine as well as several other publications. As a volunteer, I have given time to recovery-focused organizations and to organizations whose good work is unrelated to the recovery field. I eat well, exercise, read, and believe that asking for help suggests strength, not weakness.
REACH OUT
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing how we can work together to strengthen your recovery or the recovery of a loved one.
"Studies demonstrate improved relationships with providers and social supports, increased satisfaction with the treatment experience overall, reduced rates of relapse, and increased retention in treatment. It is clear that peer support services can provide a valuable approach to guiding consumers as they strive to achieve and maintain recovery."
-Peer Recovery Support for Individuals With Substance Use Disorders: Assessing the Evidence
Sharon Reif, Ph.D., Lisa Braude, Ph.D., D. Russell Lyman, Ph.D., Richard H. Dougherty, Ph.D., Allen S. Daniels, Ed.D., Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Ph.D., Onaje Salim, Ed.D., L.P.C., and Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D.
FAQ
How do I know that you and your services are right for me?
Before agreeing to work together, we will have a no-charge 15-minute introductory call to discuss your needs and goals. If you feel that we connect in a way that suggests I would be helpful to your recovery, we will schedule an in-person hour-long session. Please note that payment for our first session is due when that session is scheduled. Fee will be discussed during our introductory call.
Will you keep me clean and sober?
I can’t keep you clean and sober. What I can do is support you as you navigate your recovery. I will help you to identify ideas and behaviors that impede your growth, and that could potentially lead you back to drinking/using. Together, we will explore what a life without substances or problematic behaviors looks like to you and implement best practices to help you build that life. The process is exploratory, but it differs from therapy in that it is forward-looking and goal-focused. We start where you are now. I may recommend reading materials. We might watch a video to prompt discussion or do a short writing exercise. Ultimately, choosing to pick up is always your choice. My hope is that our work together strengthens your resolve and makes choosing self-defeating behaviors less likely.
What happens if I drink or use while we are working together?
I am here to help you, not judge you. Changing behaviors is challenging. Setbacks are possible. That's not to say that picking up is taken lightly. It is not. But I understand that it may happen. If it does, our work will continue if your behavior and attitude suggest that you are serious about learning from mistakes and moving forward in your recovery.
Is a Peer Recovery Advocate Just a Babysitter?
It shortchanges the value of peer recovery work to refer to it as babysitting. There is nothing breezy about addiction, nothing easy about changing self-destructive behaviors. Though I am friendly and empathetic in my approach, I view peer recovery work as legitimate, and I take it seriously. I suggest setting aside self-judgment and over concern about what others might think. Learn to use that energy to evolve away from behaviors and thinking that does not serve you.
How often will we meet, how long is a session, and where will we meet?
The frequency of our meetings depends on your goals, needs, and schedule. Sessions are generally one hour however, longer sessions can be scheduled. We will meet in a location that is comfortable for you. This could be your home, office, a park, coffee shop, or private space. I am also available to escort to and from detox and rehab facilities, medical appointments, family, work, and social events, 12 Step meetings, etc.
Do you take insurance? How do you accept payment?
At this time, most insurance does not cover peer recovery advocate services. Payment is accepted via check or Venmo at the end of each session. Please note that payment for our first session is due when that session is scheduled.
What if I am not in NYC?
If you live outside of NYC, I am happy to discuss traveling to you. If that is not possible, I may be able to suggest an option closer to you for you to investigate and consider.