What Is a Sober Coach?
Definition of a “Sober Coach”
A sober coach is trained in addiction recovery and inspires people to lead a healthy, sober lifestyle. They remove the barriers and challenges to recovery so that people are more likely to stay on track with their goals and prevent relapse. Sober coaches are a relatively new development in addiction treatment, and they have already shown themselves to be a valuable asset.
A sober coach can be a great addition to your care team if you start your recovery journey. Sober coaches are usually former addicts themselves who have been through the recovery process and understand the challenges that come with it. They use their knowledge and experience to help others overcome their addiction.
Depending on their needs, sober coaches work with their clients one-on-one or in group settings. They create personalized plans that address the unique challenges of each client. Coaches also provide accountability, guidance, and support throughout the recovery process. They help their clients stay on track by setting goals and helping them to identify potential triggers for relapse.
The Difference Between a Sober Coach and a Therapist
Sober coaches are available 24 hours a day to offer guidance and support to those struggling with substance abuse. They can also meet with families to address enabling or codependent behaviors.
Unlike most therapists, sober coaches are also often willing to travel to meet with their clients, which can help those who live in rural or isolated areas. In addition, sober coaches may also provide sober companion services, including accompanying clients to social events or appointments and helping them avoid triggers that may lead to relapse.
Benefits of Working With a Sober Coach
A sober coach provides one-on-one support for people in early recovery from addiction. The sober coach’s role is to help the client transition from treatment back to their everyday life and provide support and accountability during the early stages of recovery.
A sober coach can help you deal with the common triggers that may make it more difficult for you to resist returning to the old habits of drinking or drug abuse. These might include anxiety, depression, fatigue, physical discomfort, coming across someone you once drank or used drugs with, or feelings as simple as boredom or loneliness.
Your cravings to use might be intense during the first week or two of sobriety, but they will eventually lessen in intensity and frequency. A sober coach can help you manage your cravings and work through any underlying psychological issues that might be contributing to your addiction.
In addition, a sober coach can help you develop new sober coping skills and find sober activities that are enjoyable and rewarding. Finally, if you are committed to staying sober, a sober coach can be an invaluable asset on your journey to recovery.
Sober coaches are not a substitute for treatment, but they can be an essential part of recovery. They can provide support and guidance when other meetings are not available, and they can help identify and avoid triggers that could lead to relapse.
Limitations
While sober coaches can be a helpful addition to someone’s recovery journey, it’s important to be aware of their limitations.
Sober coaches are not trained counselors or licensed professionals, and as such, they may give advice that is unproductive or even unethical. Coaches are not clinicians and therefore cannot provide clinical care or therapy. They are also not able to prescribe medications. Additionally, because sober coaches are not insured, people will need to pay them out-of-pocket, which can become expensive.
While sober coaches can provide support and guidance, they should not be considered a replacement for professional treatment.
It is also important to be aware of boundary issues when working with a sober coach. Sober coaches are not trained to handle confidential information and should not be considered a replacement for a therapist or counselor.
Do Your Homework
If you are considering using a sober coach, be sure to discuss your expectations and needs with your coach to ensure that they can meet your needs. Be sure to do your research and choose someone who is reputable and has experience working with people in recovery. Ask about their background, training, and areas of expertise. Ask them about their recovery philosophy to see if it complements your own.
Most importantly, find a coach who is a good fit for you. Don’t be afraid to “fire” your sober coach if you find they are not helpful. Instead, find someone you feel comfortable with and who you can trust to help you achieve a fulfilling life in recovery.
Sober coaching is a popular adjunct to traditional recovery programs, but it’s crucial to understand the limitations of sober coaching before embarking on this path. Sober coaches are not licensed therapists, and as such, they are not bound by the same HIPAA confidentiality laws. This means that sober coaches can freely share information about their clients with family, friends, and employers- without the client’s consent. In addition, sober coaches are not held to the same professional standards as licensed therapists. Therefore, they may not have the training or experience necessary to effectively address the complex issues that often arise in recovery. As a result, sober coaching may not be the best choice for everyone in recovery. Please speak with a licensed therapist to ensure that it is the best practice for their individual needs. For more information, call Restoration Recovery Center at (888) 290-0925.
