Background and Objective: Research suggests peer-support groups can amplify and extend treatment effects and enhance long-term recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) problems. However, the benefit of peer-support at different stages of recovery is not well known. Further, peer support groups are rarely integrated into public treatment programs, Resultsing in a missed opportunity for cost effective adjunct treatment. Methods: Study 1: 488 participants in recovery from AOD problems in Australia completed the Life in Recovery survey. Social factors were explored at each stage of recovery (1 year, 1-5 years, > 5 years) to determine the factors that contribute to recovery capital (DV) at each stage of recovery. Study 2: Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) was integrated into three public AOD treatment providers in Australia. Questionnaires, attendance, and qualitative interviews were used to determine the uptake, impacts, and participant experiences of the pilot program. Lived-experience: Dr. Ariel Roxburgh integrates his own lived experience of addiction to bring to life the learnings from each study. Results: Study 1: Having a portion of a social network in recovery was associated with greater recovery capital in early (5 years) recovery. Study 2: The integration of SMART Recovery into formal AOD treatment Resultsed in good uptake (M = 6), benefits (e.g., 94% reported reduced substance use or maintenance of abstinence), and the qualitative Results revealed the active ingredients underpinning these benefits (e.g., peer-to-peer learning). Conclusions: Having peers in recovery is important during early recovery, and introducing SMART Recovery into public AOD treatment services is a cost effective way to meet this need. Further, the Introduction of SMART Recovery provides unique benefits and is met with good uptake by participants. Together, the findings highlight the potential benefits of integrating SMART Recovery into public AOD treatment services.