Feel stuck and want to change your relationship to substances?
But making that change feels…impossible.
Where do you start?
How do you even take that first, small step?
You’re overwhelmed, and rightly so. After all, we’re talking about a huge shift in your life.
But, at the same time, that shift is within your reach. You can get sober and clean. And you can build a life you love and keep your addiction in check.
How?
With a recovery coach.
What is recovery coaching?
A recovery coach (also known as an addiction coach or sober coach) helps you overcome and manage addiction, as well as create a fulfilling life so that you can maintain your sobriety. After all, addiction is managed on two levels – first, by keeping the addiction itself in check, and second, by creating a life that helps you maintain sobriety.
Studies have shown just how effective recovery coaching can be. Peer recovery coaches can help decrease substance abuse and improve life quality (including housing stability and self-care). (1)
But what type of recovery coaching should you look for?
And should you rather work with a recovery coach, a counselor, or a sponsor?
That’s what we’ll look at next.
What is the difference between a recovery coach and a counselor?
Recovery coaches and therapists are not the same thing. A therapist is a licenced mental health professional who works with uncovering the reasons for your addiction – whether those are traumas, thought patterns, or unhealthy habits.
A recovery coach, on the other hand, acts more like a mentor. They support you day-to-day and often work with you throughout the process – from starting your journey towards sobriety to eventually rebuilding your life.
Often recovery coaches have personal experience of going through addiction. I myself struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, after which I worked as a mental health professional for many years.
Note that while recovery coaching is unregulated, many recovery coaches have certifications.
What is the difference between a recovery coach and a sponsor?
The first thing to know about recovery coaches and sponsors is that they both can support you. They both offer advice, guidance, and support as mentors.
However, the difference is that sponsors are typically program-focused including programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or other 12-step programs. Ultimately, sponsors guide you through the program.
A recovery coach is more flexible and can support you in different areas of your recovery. For example, I support my clients to maintain sobriety and avoid relapse by helping them create a fulfilling life and learn life skills.
But how do you choose the right recovery coach for yourself? Let’s take a look.
How do you find a recovery coach?
Finding a recovery coach starts with figuring out what you need support with. Are you just realizing you have a substance addiction issue?
Are you looking for support in managing your addiction?
Or are you a recovered addict who needs support with building life skills and creating a life that helps you maintain your sobriety?
Once you’re clear on what type of coach you need, the next step is to research your options.
The best way to understand if a coach is the right choice for you is to hop on a call with them and talk through your situation. After all, you will work extremely closely with your coach and it’s important that this person feels like the right choice for you.
Want to learn more about how I can help you in your recovery process?
Other resources
Here’s a list of resources for you to research your options, including helpful resources, sober living houses in Nanaimo, the greater Vancouver area, and British Columbia.
Recovery Coaching with Rose Chant YouTube channel
Turn the Page recovery house (for women)
