BUILDING A PEER SUPPORT NETWORK FOR DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58676/sjmas.v4i6.176Keywords:
Malaysia, Recovery capital, Substance use disorder, Drug addiction recovery, Peer supportAbstract
Background: Drug addiction remains a major public health challenge in Malaysia, with many individuals facing relapse risks after completing formal rehabilitation due to limited community-based support. Peer recovery support services have demonstrated effectiveness internationally, but structured peer support networks remain underdeveloped within the Malaysian addiction recovery landscape. This project aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a culturally appropriate peer support network to strengthen recovery outcomes and community reintegration among individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
Methods and Material: A six-month pilot project, Healing Together, was implemented in Kuala Lumpur and Penang through partnerships with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), House Prihatin Recovery Centre, and community organizations. The intervention included recruitment and training of 22 peer mentors, establishment of two physical support hubs and a virtual platform, weekly peer-led group sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and community-building activities. A mixed-methods evaluation framework incorporating surveys, interviews, observations, and Recovery Capital Scale assessments was used to measure outcomes.
Results: The project engaged 107 participants and exceeded its recruitment target. Significant improvements were observed in personal, social, and community recovery capital, with total recovery capital increasing from 132.6 to 186.5 (p < 0.001). Self-efficacy in maintaining recovery improved for 74% of participants, while reported emotional support increased from 34% to 71%. Program retention reached 81%, and self-reported relapse incidence was 12% during the pilot period. Qualitative findings highlighted enhanced social connectedness, hope, self-worth, and community belonging among participants.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that peer support networks are feasible, culturally adaptable, and effective in supporting addiction recovery in Malaysia. Integrating peer recovery services into existing rehabilitation and community-based programs may strengthen long-term recovery outcomes, reduce relapse risks, and enhance social reintegration. Future efforts should focus on scaling the model nationally, strengthening family engagement, and conducting longitudinal evaluations of recovery outcomes.
References
Abu Hassan Shaari, A. (2025). Healing through helping services: Insights from peer recovery workers in Malaysia's community-based drug treatment program. Akademika, 95(2).
Azahah, S., & Bernadine, W. (2022). Self-help group experiences among members recovering from substance use disorder in Kuantan, Malaysia. Social Work with Groups, 46, 1–17.
Bassuk, E. L., Hanson, J., Greene, R. N., Richard, M., & Laudet, A. (2016). Peer-delivered recovery support services for addictions in the United States: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 63, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2016.01.003
Best, D., Irving, J., & Albertson, K. (2016). Recovery and desistance: What the emerging recovery movement in the alcohol and drug area can learn from models of desistance from offending. Addiction Research & Theory, 25(1), 1–10.
Castedo de Martell, S., et al. (2025). The cost-effectiveness of long-term post-treatment peer recovery support services in the United States. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 51(2), 180–190.
Chang, J., et al. (2021). Peer driven or driven peers? A rapid review of peer involvement of people who use drugs in HIV and harm reduction services in low- and middle-income countries. Harm Reduction Journal, 18(1).
Eddie, D., et al. (2019). Lived experience in new models of care for substance use disorder: A systematic review of peer recovery support services and recovery coaching. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 1052. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01052
Fauziah, I., Bahaman, A. S., Mansor, A. T., & Mohamad, S. S. (2008). Faktor menyumbang kepada penagihan relaps dalam kalangan penagih dadah PUSPEN di Semenanjung Malaysia. Jurnal Antidadah Malaysia, 5(1).
Krakouer, J., Savaglio, M., Taylor, K., & Skouteris, H. (2022). Community-based models of alcohol and other drug support for First Nations peoples in Australia: A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Review, 41(6), 1418–1427.
Larson, F., Masri, N., May, J., & Farrell-Moore, D. (2025). Peer recovery support services for individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder: Benefits and barriers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 267, 111862.
Mohd Taufek, N. H., et al. (2021). Experiential education as a strategy to preserve Maqasid Al-Shariah by identifying and addressing stigmatic views held by pharmacy students of patients with substance use disorders. Journal of Pharmacy, 1(1), 1–7.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Ilya Bin Elas, Dr. Ghassan Salibi , Prof. Nikolaos Tzenios
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
