Mentorship provided by a Peer Specialist plays a vital role in substance abuse treatment, because it provides a crucial layer of support, accountability, and shared experience for individuals in addiction recovery. While a Peer Specialist is considered best practice in substance abuse treatment, it is particularly critical for women in Drug Court to have access to effective Peer Support by a fellow Drug Court graduate, as studies have shown that women are comfortable talking about substance use than their male counterparts, and less likely to seek help or treatment. The Drug Court Peer Specialist would be a Drug Court graduates in a peer support roles to ensure that participants in the program receive mentorship that is responsive to the unique needs of women.
