Tennessee Peer Recovery Support Specialists: How to Find Help
When you’re navigating the challenges of addiction or mental health recovery, having someone who truly understands can make all the difference. That’s the power of a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (CPRS) — someone who has walked the path themselves and is trained to support others on their journey.
In Tennessee, Peer Recovery Support Specialists play a vital role in helping people recover from substance use disorders, mental illness, or co-occurring conditions. These individuals are living proof that recovery is possible — and they are ready to help you find your way, too.
🔹 What Is a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (CPRS)?
A Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist is someone who has:
Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery
Completed specialized training through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)
Received certification to provide structured, non-clinical support services to others in recovery
Peer support is not therapy or case management. Instead, it’s a person-to-person connection built on empathy, trust, and shared experience.
🔹 What Do Peer Support Specialists Do?
CPRS professionals offer support by:
Helping you set recovery goals
Sharing strategies for coping and staying sober
Providing emotional support and encouragement
Connecting you with treatment programs, support groups, or housing
Assisting with transportation, appointments, or basic needs
Helping you re-enter the workforce or pursue education
Many people say talking to a peer is the first time they felt truly heard without judgment.
🔹 How to Connect with a Peer Support Specialist in Tennessee
Tennessee makes it easy to reach out to a peer through several programs:
📞 Call the Peer Support Call Center
Number: 1-800-560-5767
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, 7 days a week
Who Answers: Certified peers, not clinicians
Why Call: Talk with someone who understands what you’re going through, right when you need support — without judgment or pressure
➡️ Learn more at:
https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/mental-health-services/peers/call-center.html
🏢 Visit a Peer Support Center
There are more than 30 Peer Support Centers across Tennessee, offering:
Drop-in services
Support groups
Life skills training
Social activities
Referrals and goal planning
These centers are free to attend and open to anyone 18+ with a mental health or substance use condition.
➡️ Find a center near you:
https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/mental-health-services/peers/find-a-center.html
🔹 Why Peer Support Works
Unlike traditional clinical services, peer support is built on mutual understanding and shared hope. Studies show that peer services:
Reduce hospitalizations
Improve recovery outcomes
Increase treatment engagement
Help people build healthier relationships and communities
🔹 How to Become a CPRS in Tennessee
If you’re in recovery and want to give back, you might consider becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist.
To qualify, you must:
Be in recovery for at least 24 months
Complete a 40-hour CPRS training program
Pass a written exam and background check
More details here:
https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/cprs.html
🧭 Tennessee’s Commitment to Recovery
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is a national leader in peer-led recovery support. Through funding, training, and outreach, the state has built one of the strongest peer support systems in the U.S.
🚀 Ready to Talk to Someone Who’s Been There?
Recovery is real — and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re struggling with opioids, alcohol, depression, or anxiety, help is just a phone call away.
📞 Call a Tennessee Peer Support Specialist now: 1-800-560-5767
It might be the most important call you ever make.
Other Addiction Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC.gov
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
- DEA.gov – Opioid addiction-related articles
