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. 2025 Mar:170:209612.
doi: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209612. Epub 2024 Dec 20.

Advancing peer support workforce research: Insights and recommendations through the lens of professionalization

Justin S Bell  1 , Angela Hagaman  2 , Justin Beattey  3 , Gina Fears  3 , William L White  4 , Dennis P Watson  4
Affiliations

Advancing peer support workforce research: Insights and recommendations through the lens of professionalization

Justin S Bell et al. J Subst Use Addict Treat. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Over the past two decades, peer support providers have increasingly formalized their roles in the addiction treatment workforce through credentialing and professionalization efforts. Despite these advancements, misconceptions regarding their professional identity persist and contribute to challenges such as burnout and high turnover. This commentary underscores the importance of viewing the peer workforce as an emerging profession using a lens that has previously been applied to other healthcare service roles. We outline key milestones in the peer workforce's professional development and ongoing labor advocacy efforts by state and national organizations. We call for a comprehensive research agenda that addresses workforce outcomes, workplace dynamics, and role competencies. Such efforts are crucial for advancing the recognition and support of peers as an integral component of the behavioral healthcare workforce.

Keywords: Peer; Professionalization; Workforce.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest Authors Justin Beattey and Gina Fears are employed by non-for-profit organizations that provide behavioral health education, behavioral health credentialing, peer recovery services consultation, professional recovery support organization consultation, and mental health advocacy. No other authors have competing financial interests or personal relationships that influenced this work.

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