Narratives of Recovery from Peer Workers (Person Who Use Drugs-PWUDS) in Drug Rehabilitation Facilities

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic, relapsing condition that continues to affect individuals’ social functioning, psychological well-being, and employability even after treatment. While recovery is often measured through abstinence, less attention has been given to the roles of identity reconstruction and meaningful employment in sustaining long-term sobriety. This study explored the narratives of recovering persons who use drugs (PWUDs) who successfully maintained sobriety and reintegrated into the workforce as peer workers in drug rehabilitation facilities. Guided by Self-Determination Theory and Narrative Identity Theory, this qualitative study employed a narrative research design. Episodic interviews were conducted with six recovering PWUDs employed in residential drug rehabilitation facilities in Davao, Philippines. Narrative analysis was used to examine participants’ recovery journeys, identity transformation, and work reintegration experiences. Findings revealed that substance use was commonly initiated by curiosity, peer influence, and emotional distress. Rehabilitation served as a pivotal turning point characterized by accountability, self-reflection, and renewed personal agency. Employment as peer workers facilitated identity reconstruction, enabling participants to redefine themselves from stigmatized “addicts” to credible helpers, advocates, and role models within the recovery community. Despite persistent experiences of stigma, participants reported that peer work enhanced their motivation, sense of purpose, sense of responsibility and commitment to sobriety by transforming their lived experiences into meaningful service. The findings highlight peer-based employment as a crucial mechanism for sustaining recovery beyond abstinence and underscore the need to integrate employment pathways, motivational support, and identity-focused interventions into addiction treatment, rehabilitation programs, and recovery-oriented policies.