Defining Peer Support Language

Defining Peer Support Language

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation between Jim Haney and Andi from Montana’s Peer Network zeroes in on something most people overlook: the actual words used in peer support. You’ll hear them unpack how terms like “peer,” “peer supporter,” “peer support specialist,” and “peer worker” are getting thrown around interchangeably, and why that can cause real confusion in recovery settings.

Jim explains, “The person that I support is my peer,” while Andi points out that in Montana, “You can be a peer supporter and not be certified.

But you can’t say you’re a peer support specialist unless you are certified.” They trace how language has shifted over the years, from older labels like “consumer,” “client,” and “patient” to today’s focus on “peer” and “lived experience.” Along the way, they highlight how certain words can create hierarchy and distance, while others build connection and equality.

Calling someone a “peer” rather than a “client,” they argue, keeps everyone on the same level and reminds supporters, “That was me.” The chat also touches on how peer supporters can slip into clinical language when working in traditional services, and how that can blur their unique role. They describe the importance of staying rooted in recovery-focused words—kind, hopeful, and compassionate—rather than harsh or overly clinical ones.

Jim shares training-room stories where people struggle to find “recovery words,” showing how much practice it can take to shift everyday speech. Towards the end, they connect all this to workforce issues, relapse, self-care, and peer advocacy, stressing that language shapes how people see themselves and their recovery.

If you’re involved in peer support, work in services, or are simply interested in how words can help or harm recovery, this conversation might leave you asking: how are you choosing your language today?