CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST FINAL STUDY
GUIDE 2026 TESTED ITEMS SOLVED
◉ Name three goals of Peer Recovery Support Answer: Instill hope
Promote positive self-identity (reduce stigma)
Be a role model of strength, survival, and growth
◉ What is stigma in the context of recovery? Answer: The
experience of being deeply discredited due to perceived and
undesired differentness; often linked to substance use or mental
illness
◉ What are the four main types of support offered by Peer Recovery
Specialists? Answer: 1. Emotional Support
2. Informational Support
3. Instrumental Support (tangible support)
4. Affiliational Support (relationship-building)
◉ What is the role of an Ally and Confidant in peer recovery?
Answer: Cares deeply, actively listens, and is trustworthy, stable, and
consistent.
,◉ What does a Motivator and Cheerleader do? Answer: Believes in
the person's capacity for change, and celebrates progress and
efforts.
◉ What does a Truth Teller do in a peer role? Answer: Offers honest
feedback, identifies patterns, and avoids sugar-coating.
◉ What is the difference between a Peer Support Specialist and a
clinician or sponsor? Answer: Peer specialists are not therapists,
case managers, doctors, or sponsors; they do not give medical advice
or religious direction.
◉ What does "mutuality" mean in peer recovery relationships?
Answer: A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows
together in recovery.
◉ What should be avoided when practicing empathy in peer
support? Answer: *Not responding
*Interrupting
*Rushing your response
*Using cliches (e.g., "time heals all wounds")
*Faking understanding
*Forcing your own interpretation
,◉ What are some actions peer specialists should avoid to maintain a
relationship of equals? Answer: *Need to be liked/helpful
*Need for status or prestige
*Need for control
*Perfectionism
*Need for social relationships (overinvolvement)
◉ What is person-centered, non-judgmental, empowering language?
Answer: Language that avoids labeling people and focuses on
strengths, not deficits.
◉ Give an example of negative vs. positive peer support language.
Answer: "My illness" → "My experiences"
"What's wrong with me?" → "What's happened to me?"
"I'm here to help you" → "I'm here to learn with you"
◉ What are barriers to effective listening? Answer: *Assuming you
know what the person is thinking
*Jumping to conclusions
*Preparing your response too early
*Changing the subject
, *Automatically agreeing without understanding
◉ What are the key principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI)?
Answer: *Change is up to the person
*Express empathy and acceptance
*Avoid confrontation
*Help recognize discrepancies
* "Roll with resistance"
*Encourage self-efficacy
◉ What is the difference between an illness story and a recovery
story? Answer: Illness story: Focus on limits, war stories, and
sickness
Recovery story: Focus on strengths, hope, and transformation
◉ How does culture influence recovery? Answer: Different cultures
have different beliefs about:
*Illness and health
*Healing traditions
*Asking for help
*What defines a "good life"
*Spiritual paths
GUIDE 2026 TESTED ITEMS SOLVED
◉ Name three goals of Peer Recovery Support Answer: Instill hope
Promote positive self-identity (reduce stigma)
Be a role model of strength, survival, and growth
◉ What is stigma in the context of recovery? Answer: The
experience of being deeply discredited due to perceived and
undesired differentness; often linked to substance use or mental
illness
◉ What are the four main types of support offered by Peer Recovery
Specialists? Answer: 1. Emotional Support
2. Informational Support
3. Instrumental Support (tangible support)
4. Affiliational Support (relationship-building)
◉ What is the role of an Ally and Confidant in peer recovery?
Answer: Cares deeply, actively listens, and is trustworthy, stable, and
consistent.
,◉ What does a Motivator and Cheerleader do? Answer: Believes in
the person's capacity for change, and celebrates progress and
efforts.
◉ What does a Truth Teller do in a peer role? Answer: Offers honest
feedback, identifies patterns, and avoids sugar-coating.
◉ What is the difference between a Peer Support Specialist and a
clinician or sponsor? Answer: Peer specialists are not therapists,
case managers, doctors, or sponsors; they do not give medical advice
or religious direction.
◉ What does "mutuality" mean in peer recovery relationships?
Answer: A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows
together in recovery.
◉ What should be avoided when practicing empathy in peer
support? Answer: *Not responding
*Interrupting
*Rushing your response
*Using cliches (e.g., "time heals all wounds")
*Faking understanding
*Forcing your own interpretation
,◉ What are some actions peer specialists should avoid to maintain a
relationship of equals? Answer: *Need to be liked/helpful
*Need for status or prestige
*Need for control
*Perfectionism
*Need for social relationships (overinvolvement)
◉ What is person-centered, non-judgmental, empowering language?
Answer: Language that avoids labeling people and focuses on
strengths, not deficits.
◉ Give an example of negative vs. positive peer support language.
Answer: "My illness" → "My experiences"
"What's wrong with me?" → "What's happened to me?"
"I'm here to help you" → "I'm here to learn with you"
◉ What are barriers to effective listening? Answer: *Assuming you
know what the person is thinking
*Jumping to conclusions
*Preparing your response too early
*Changing the subject
, *Automatically agreeing without understanding
◉ What are the key principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI)?
Answer: *Change is up to the person
*Express empathy and acceptance
*Avoid confrontation
*Help recognize discrepancies
* "Roll with resistance"
*Encourage self-efficacy
◉ What is the difference between an illness story and a recovery
story? Answer: Illness story: Focus on limits, war stories, and
sickness
Recovery story: Focus on strengths, hope, and transformation
◉ How does culture influence recovery? Answer: Different cultures
have different beliefs about:
*Illness and health
*Healing traditions
*Asking for help
*What defines a "good life"
*Spiritual paths
