Recovery Coaches 101: Inspiring Hope for People with Substance Use Disorder: Wes Arnett

10 Things a Recovery Coach Can Help You With

As you work through your recovery journey, having a recovery coach can be a big help. A certified recovery coach is a trained professional who offers support, encouragement, and guidance to people recovering from substance use disorder. Here are ten things a recovery coach can work with you on:

1. Setting Recovery Goals
   Help you identify and define realistic short-term and long-term goals for your recovery journey.
2. Developing a Personalized Recovery Plan
   Create a customized plan that addresses your specific needs, challenges, and strengths.
3. Exploring Recovery Pathways
   Introduce you to various recovery pathways, such as 12-step programs, harm reduction approaches, or many other methods, and support the path that works best for you.
4. Identifying Triggers and Coping Strategies
   Work with you to recognize triggers for substance use and develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage cravings and stress.
5. Building a Support Network
   Help you connect with recovery groups, support networks, and community resources to strengthen your support system.
6. Improving Life Skills
   Assist in developing essential skills like time management, budgeting, communication, and problem-solving to support a stable recovery.
7. Navigating Resources
   Guide you in accessing treatment programs, housing assistance, healthcare, employment opportunities, and other community resources.
8. Enhancing Accountability
   Provide regular check-ins and encouragement to help you stay on track with your recovery goals.
9. Learning Stress Management Techniques
   Teach strategies for managing stress, such as mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and other self-care practices.
10. Building Healthy Relationships
    Support you in creating and maintaining positive relationships that foster recovery and reduce exposure to toxic influences.

Working with a recovery coach can have many benefits and make a positive difference in your journey toward lasting recovery and well-being. If any of the above ways a coach can help spark your interest, consider exploring the option of working with a coach during your recovery journey.

Choosing the Right Recovery Coach: A Partner on Your Path

Choosing a recovery coach is an important decision that can make a big difference in your recovery journey. To find the right coach for your needs, keep these aspects in mind.

Qualifications and Experience

Look for a coach who has formal training in recovery coaching or peer support, and holds a current certification. Don’t hesitate to ask about their training and certifications—it’s completely okay to do so. While qualifications matter, it’s also important to think about their experience helping people with challenges similar to yours. 

Share the challenges you’re facing and ask the coach if they have experience working with those things. For some people, it might not matter if the coach has personal experience with the same substance they’re struggling with, but for others, that connection can be very important.

Recovery Pathway Approach

Choose a coach whose approach feels right for you. Some coaches focus on specific recovery pathways, like the 12-Step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. If that’s what you’re looking for, that’s great! But if you’re not interested in the 12-Step approach, working with a coach who focuses on it might not be the best fit for you. 

If you’re open to exploring other recovery pathways, be sure to ask the coach about their experience with and knowledge of other pathways. It’s important to find someone who matches your needs and can help you build the skills and strategies to succeed.

Personal Connection

Having a strong connection with your coach is very important. Look for someone who is empathetic, kind, and non-judgmental. A good coach should make you feel safe and supported while building trust with you. Communication is key, so choose someone who listens well and speaks clearly. It’s often said that a good coach should listen more than 90% of the time and talk less than 10%. 

During your conversation with a potential coach, pay attention to whether they truly listen to you. Also, remember that it’s okay to switch to a different coach if you don’t feel the connection you need. Finding the right fit is what matters most.

Tips Having a Successful Relationship with Your Recovery Coach

Having a successful relationship with your recovery coach can greatly improve long-term recovery success. Building a strong, trusting, and supportive relationship can take time but is well worth the effort. Here are some tips that can help nurture that relationship:

1. Open and Honest Communication:

• Share openly: Be honest and transparent about your struggles, successes, and challenges. 
• Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to ask questions, no matter how small or silly they may seem.
• Provide feedback: Share your thoughts and feelings about the coaching sessions and your time together.

2. Active Participation:

• Set goals: Work with your coach to set realistic and achievable goals. 
• Take initiative: Be proactive in your recovery by taking steps to improve your well-being.
• Follow through: Commit to your recovery plan and follow through on your commitments.

3. Trust and Respect:

• Build trust: Be reliable and consistent in your communication and actions.
• Respect boundaries: Understand and respect your coach’s boundaries and professional limitations.
• Value their expertise: Recognize your coach’s knowledge and experience, then tap into these so you gain benefits.

4. Self-Awareness:

• Reflect on your progress: Regularly assess your progress and be willing to identify areas for improvement. 
• Be honest with yourself: Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses.
• Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism. Giving yourself some grace goes a long way when a roadblock is encountered. 

5. Positive Attitude:

• Maintain hope: Believe in your ability to recover and live a fulfilling life.
• Embrace challenges: View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
• Celebrate successes: Acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small, and celebrate them. 

What Does it Mean to “Meet Someone Where They Are At” When Talking About Recovery Coaching?

“Meeting someone where they are” in recovery coaching and peer support means customizing the support to fit the person’s current stage of recovery and their specific needs. It’s about understanding their situation, feelings, and challenges without judging them or pushing them too hard.

Here are some key aspects of this approach:

• Empathy and Understanding: This involves actively listening to the person’s experiences and feelings without judgment.
• Non-Judgmental Attitude: Creating a safe and supportive space where the individual feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.
• Individualized Approach: Recognizing that each person’s recovery journey is unique and customizing support accordingly.
• Setting Realistic Goals: Setting achievable goals that are aligned with the person’s current situation, capabilities, and motivation.
• Flexibility: Being adaptable and willing to adjust the approach as needs change.

By meeting people where they are, recovery coaches and peer supporters can build trust, inspire hope, and encourage individuals to take the steps needed for long-term recovery.

The Difference Between a Recovery Coach and a Sponsor

The journey to recovery from substance use disorder is filled with challenges and victories. Along the way, individuals often rely on various support systems to guide them, including recovery coaches and sponsors. While both offer valuable support, their roles and approaches are different, each serving unique purposes.

Imagine recovery as a ship navigating the stormy seas of addiction. In this analogy, the recovery coach is the captain, and the sponsor is the sailor. The recovery coach, like a captain, takes charge of steering the ship to safety. They use their training and experience to navigate the unpredictable waves, storms, and obstacles, ensuring the ship stays on course. The sponsor, like a sailor, works alongside others on the ship. They use their personal experience with past storms to guide and encourage, focusing on specific tools and methods that helped them succeed. Both roles are distinct, but both are essential for a successful voyage.

Recovery Coaches: The Captain of the Journey

Recovery coaches are trained professionals who guide individuals through their recovery process. They help create personalized recovery plans, connect people with essential resources, and build life skills. Recovery coaches support many different recovery pathways and empower individuals to choose the one that works best for them.

One of their main roles is to provide ongoing encouragement and show that recovery is achievable. They focus on individuals’ strengths, help set goals, and offer various levels of accountability based on what the individual prefers. Recovery coaches also help individuals develop strategies to manage stress, cravings, and other challenges. They may accompany individuals to support group meetings, healthcare appointments, or legal meetings, offering practical and emotional support.

Additionally, recovery coaches assist with basic needs like housing, employment, and healthcare by connecting individuals with appropriate resources. These practical supports help individuals stabilize their lives so they can focus on their recovery. Sponsors, in contrast, generally do not assist with these needs.

Sponsors: A Fellow Sailor on the Journey

Sponsors are typically individuals in recovery who volunteer to support others. They share their personal experiences, provide guidance, and offer limited accountability. The sponsor-sponsee relationship is often rooted in 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, where the sponsor helps the sponsee work through the 12 steps.

Unlike recovery coaches, sponsors tend to focus on one recovery pathway—the one they’ve personally followed. They provide empathy, encouragement, and practical advice for staying sober. By sharing their own struggles and successes, sponsors inspire and motivate others to keep going.

Sponsors and sponsees usually have check-ins, either in person, over the phone, or by text. These check-ins are generally less frequent than those with a recovery coach but still provide opportunities to monitor progress, address challenges, and offer support. Sponsors often encourage regular attendance at 12-step meetings and participation in recovery activities.

The Best of Both Worlds

Understanding the differences between a recovery coach and a sponsor can help you decide which type of support might be right for you—or if working with both is the best choice. While there are similarities in their roles, their differences mean they often complement each other well. Many people find that having both a recovery coach and a sponsor creates a more comprehensive support system, combining the professional guidance of a coach with the shared experience and empathy of a sponsor.

Both roles are vital in their own way, and together, they can provide the tools, encouragement, and support needed for a successful and lasting recovery journey.