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through peer-led organizations such as recovery community organizations (RCOs), peers are not limited to serving the patients of a specific treatment provider, can serve individuals who are not in and have not received treatment, and are not limited by the length of reimbursable treatment episodes. Peer workers employed by RCOs provide a bi-directional bridge between formal systems (e.g., SUD treatment, health care, child welfare, or criminal justice systems) and community-based resources such as family, mutual aid groups, housing, employment, faith groups, and the broader recovery community. Across systems, sectors, and settings, peers play varied roles, serving as vital connective tissue linking diverse points on the intervention continuum. Recovery takes place at the family/caregiver and community levels as well as the individual level. A recovery-ready community recognizes the unique humanity and potential contributions of every person affected by addiction, not only those who are currently in or seeking recovery. Such communities embark on a community-wide healing and recovery process reducing the toll of substance use and helping more of their members achieve recovery and become productive, contributing citizens. By building recovery-ready communities, schools, and workplaces, and by fostering increased public health/ public safety partnerships, we will build a healthier, more equitable, and more resilient nation. This is a key goal of Biden-Harris Administration drug policy in both the supply and demand reduction arenas. We are steadily learning more about recovery’s dimensions and diverse trajectories, how recovery relates to remission and abstinence, what kinds of RSS may be effective, and whom they may most benefit. However, our scientific understanding in this domain is still emerging. Targeted, actionable research is needed to inform policy and resource allocation decisions in the recovery domain. Available scientific evidence suggests that common forms of RSS can be beneficial. For example, positive outcomes are associated with receipt of services through recovery community centers (RCCs), local peer service hubs that can serve as drop-in centers for people in or seeking recovery, and through which recovery coaching and other services are available. RCCs can offer a range of services, including relapse prevention, housing and employment support, social and recreational activities, and other services.256 One study found that receipt of services at an RCC is associated with greater recovery duration and improved psychological well-being and quality of life. The authors noted that RCCs played a unique role that differed from those of treatment and mutual aid groups: They facilitated recovery capital acquisition, “thereby enhancing Peers play diverse roles across systems, sectors, and settings, providing a vital connective tissue linking diverse points on the intervention continuum. « « « « « « 62 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY functioning and quality of life.” This study found that RCCs served people facing multiple challenges; nearly half of RCC participants had a high school diploma or less, close to half had an annual household income of $10,000 or less, over 80-percent reported use of multiple substances, and close to half reported a lifetime psychiatric diagnosis. Notably, participants often remained engaged with the RCC for an extended period of time and over 35-percent of study participants had been receiving services at the RCC for over one year with some having remained engaged over multiple years. 257 Given the chronic nature of SUD, this extended engagement—which is typically not attainable in treatment—is invaluable. Evidence of the effectiveness of recovery coaching is also emerging. One study found that parents with SUD who were involved in the child welfare system and who were randomly assigned to receive recovery coaching were significantly more likely to achieve and maintain reunification with their children than parents randomly assigned to usual services.258 Other studies found that recovery coaches benefit those they serve by improving relationships with providers and social supports,259 increasing treatment utilization260 and retention,261 and reducing relapse rates. 262,263 Additionally, compared to a control group receiving treatment as usual, pregnant and post-partum people receiving services from a peer counselor in a treatment program were found to more strongly recommend the program at which they received services than members of the control group. They described their peer counselors as empathic, identifying them as the most helpful aspect of their treatment. 264 RCOs operate many, but not all, RCCs. RCOs lead or coordinate recovery-focused policy advocacy activities and recovery-focused community education and outreach programs and often provide PRSS—typically through one or more RCCs. Serving a broad recovery community that includes not only people in or seeking recovery, but their families, friends and allies, RCOs may be local or statewide. They share an overarching mission: mobilizing people and resources to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery from alcohol and other SUDs.265 Ideally, the peers who staff RCCs should have the knowledge and skills needed to help individuals find 

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