What is Recovery Coaching?
Sep 23, 2019
What is Recovery Coaching?
A Recovery Coach works with clients and provides non-clinical coaching services for private pay.
A coach uses unique skills and understanding to work with individuals to set goals and work towards removing obstacles to live their best life.
Coaching is not therapy, and coaches do not assess people. Coaching is strengths-based and action oriented with a focus on the present and the future.
The relationship between coach and client is collaborative, with coaches acting in a guiding, not directing role. Coaches can provide reality checks and serve as a change agent to assist you in identifying and achieving the goals that you have chosen for yourself.
Recovery coaches do not offer primary treatment for addiction, meaning I do not diagnose, and I am not associated with any particular method or means of recovery. I believe in many pathways and patchworks, which are as unique as the individuals seeking.
Recovery coaches support any positive change, helping people coming home from treatment to avoid relapse, building community support for recovery, or working on life goals not related to addiction such as relationships, work, or education.
Recovery coaching is action-oriented with an emphasis on improving present life and reaching future goals.
Recovery coaching is unlike most therapy because coaches do not address the past, and do not work to heal trauma.
Recovery coaches are unlike licensed addiction counselors in that they are non-clinical and do not diagnose or treat addiction or any mental health issues.
Recovery coaches are unlike sponsors because they are trained in coaching, so they offer more knowledge than a friend. They can also address other areas of your life such as work or relationships and don’t focus only on the substance use disorder.
The way I see it is, if you want help with changing your diet, you see a nutritionist. Or you go to a Weight Watchers or a Jenny Craig group. You follow a Whole 30 diet plan or something like that.
You get help from someone that knows and someone who has been there before. You accept guidance from someone who has successfully gained health or lost weight or lowered their blood pressure or whatever your goal is.
Same with fitness. If you want to build strength, lose fat, increase endurance or whatever you get a trainer. You get someone to work with you one on one.
Someone to look at your unique body composition, lifestyle and interests and work alongside you to come up with a plan and some goals that are specific to you.
You would get a coach. A coach works with you to create your plan. A coach has expert knowledge on resources available. A coach gives you guidance and support.
A coach acts as a mentor and is exhibiting the kind of body and behavior you want to see in your own life.
If you are questioning your drinking. If drinking is showing too many negative consequences and you want to evaluate the role alcohol plays in your life, why wouldn’t you get a coach?
Someone who has been there before and has resources, experience, education, and knowledge to share. Someone who is an expert on ditching the drink.
Someone who can help you define your goals and show you the roadmap to get there.
That’s what I do.
Now if you are like me, you might not want to admit you are an alcoholic in a room full of strangers. You might not want or need an inpatient stay somewhere. You might not want to take time off work to evaluate alcohol in your life. You might not want to commit to a life of sobriety either. You might want to explore all of this privately from the comfort of your own home.
That’s what I wanted to do.
But I could not find the type of support I wanted when I was getting sober. So I created it. Its called Ditched The Drink and its an online resource for anyone who is curious about their drinking.
I offer a 6 week digital class which includes a member only log in on my website.
You get a daily video, downloadable resources, actionable steps, and an invite to an optional private FB community. The lessons are every day for 6 weeks/ 42 days, and 1000 hours dry.
I also offer 1X1 coaching support that can be done by email, text, phone, web meeting or in person. I offer a suite of services for corporate wellness as well. The goal is always to reduce the stigma of addiction and mental health and remove the stigma of getting help as well.
The Benefits of my services are:
Its private you don’t need to tell anyone in your community. You can remain anonymous. You can explore without anyone knowing, even your family if you wish. Its private.
Its accessible for busy schedules and family life. The class is self paced. Email and text support are as needed for you, on your schedule, not you mine.
Its cost Effective as compared to rehab, therapy, or the cost of continuing to drink…
I am non-biased in recovery resources. I support all pathways and patchworks of recovery and discovery. You can use a coach like me, alongside any other program including AA, psychotherapy, SMART Recovery, or you can utilize my services on their own with no other formalized program. The key is finding the right combination of support that works for you.
My Digital Class is a holistic approach. Lessons include the science behind alcohol and how to address triggers and cravings. Lessons also include teaching new coping skills and strategies, stress management, and relaxation techniques.
Its more about discovering who you are than recovering. Recovering means to go back to who you were before alcohol took over. Discovery means finding who you are now after your life experiences.
Many of us drink to numb and escape the voice inside, the class is designed to tune into the voice inside instead, to live in harmony and peace within.
This transformation disrupts life as you know it. The class provides a tool box of resources to deal with change, including the changes that happen in relationships when you stop drinking and start listening to yourself.
You don’t have to hit rock bottom, you can quit at anytime.
Does it work?
Yes.
All research supports the benefits of recovery coaching services. In addition using technology that allows people to be in touch with sources of support increases the success rate.
Recovery success rates improve with a plan for long-term recovery.
My recovery coaching teaches you not only how to quit drinking, but also how to navigate the sources of stress that led you to drink in the first place.
100% of my students would recommend to a friend or family member.
100% of my students felt better after evaluating their drinking habits. ⅔ have decided on long term sobriety and ⅓ are still considering moderation.
