5 Questions for Finding the Right Recovery Coach
Even though I had been sober for a significant period of time, I was still struggling. In fact, it seemed the longer I remained sober, the harder it was getting to continue to do so.
Every day while travelling to work, I passed by my favorite bar, and my old stoner buddies kept calling me asking me to come over and hang out, but hanging out meant getting high. At the same time, life had been so stressful that I had actually begun thinking about smoking a little once and awhile, just to de-stress a bit. That scared me, because I knew that one slip could lead me right back into my addiction.
I thought I was doing everything I was supposed to do. I was going to meetings and employing all the life building strategies that I learned. But every day still seemed like one big chore to stay sober. There had to be something more.
Then I remembered hearing about recovery coaches when I was in rehab. They explained that sometimes someone in recovery needs more support than what one can find in meetings or even with a sponsor. So I contacted them, and this is what I found out.
I learned that the right coach could be there for me 24/7, keep me accountable in my sobriety, help me find all sorts of resources, enable me to keep my goals, and even act as a liaison in communicating with my family, who doesn’t always understand what I am going through. Most importantly, they also gave me the tools I needed to determine which recovery coach would be best suited to my needs by providing me with a list of questions I should ask myself.
1. Who do you want your recovery coach to be – a peer or a professional?
You need to decide if you want someone who is professionally trained based on scientific studies that have revealed effective methods or someone who has been there and done that and can personally relate to what you are going through. You also want to determine if you want your coach to work with you exclusively, which is what a peer does, or if you also want them to work with your family or significant other like a professional will.
2. What do you want help with?
Do you simply want support and temporary stress reduction or do you also want strategic activity planning that will help you find and address the root of your triggers?
3. What approach do you prefer?
Generally, there are two types of coaching techniques – the 12-step approach and the evidence-based approach. The 12-step approach is based on the AA and NA programs, while the evidence-based approach uses various psychotherapies, such as harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral therapies along with medication.
4. Where do you want to work with your coach?
Do you want someone who will accompany you on outings where substances may be available or would you rather work with someone remotely – online, over the phone, via text or via email?
5. Why do you want to work with a coach?
What do you personally want to get out of working with a coach, and how will it benefit both you and your loved ones? A coach is trained to help you develop, reinforce, and remain mindful of why you want this help, which will help you to be successful.
After answering all of these questions, I was able to find the right coach for me and achieve great success. Instead of struggling, I am now thriving.
Beginnings Treatment Centers provide modern and effective programs for the treatment of substance abuse addiction and alcoholism. Our addiction treatment centers are located in beautiful and sunny Southern California. We are in Orange County, which has one of the strongest and most active recovery communities in the United States. If you or a loved one is currently looking for a right coach, please Contact Beginnings Treatment Centers Now. We are here to help!
