You’re entering into recovery. But you don’t need to do it alone. If you’re trying to get into sober living, you may want the help of a recovery coach. A recovery coach is a little more than a sponsor: they’re a dedicated individual (usually paid) meant to assist with your sobriety. Here’s what you need to know.
What is a Recovery Coach?
A recovery coach is an individual who helps you plan and stick to your recovery. It can be difficult to stick to a plan without assistance: just look at dieting. Recovery coaches give you emotional and practical support and are able to give you tools to help you. Some are certified in Alcohol and Drug abuse counseling others are certified in a variety of other areas. A good sober coach will need to be in recovery with a fair amount of recovery time in order to have the experience and wisdom you will need.
Who Needs a Recovery Coach?
If you can’t go into in-patient recovery, a recovery coach can help you. Often, you may need additional help, and an outpatient therapy center may not cut it. A recovery coach can give you specialized, one-on-one therapy sessions, that are designed to support you during more difficult times.
Recovery coaches are ideal for those who have had issues with sobriety in the past. If you’ve tried to become sober but not been able to maintain it, a recovery coach may be what you need.
Recovery coaches are also helpful for those who don’t have a strong support system. If you’re new to an area and don’t have family and friends nearby — or if your family and friends are a trigger for your addiction — a recovery coach will be able to give you valuable support, and help you develop a new support system. Many high profile people hire a recovery coach to assist with their daily life, especially when traveling or attending events.
How Do You Find a Recovery Coach?
Recovery coaches may operate affiliated with therapy centers, or they may just be available online. Make sure you look up reviews and complaints for your recovery coach, and generally explore their reputation online. There are no certifications for a recovery coach, so you will need to be cautious when selecting one. When in doubt, you should defer to a therapist or other professional.
Not everyone needs a recovery coach, but it can definitely help. If you think you might need one, it’s worth a try. For more information about your recovery, check out the My 12 Step Store Blog.