How Do I Become a Recovery Coach?

Our Experts Answer Questions on Becoming a Recovery Coach

There are few jobs as rewarding as being a Recovery Coach! Every day I help clients navigate their life transitions and work on making positive changes to get them to a better place. People come to me struggling and in need of assistance in negotiating a necessary life change.

And a lot of my clients, in wanting to pass on this amazing transformation, ask: how do I become a recovery coach?

Recovery coaches play a crucial role in assisting individuals in their addiction recovery journey and supporting them throughout the recovery process. It is amazing seeing someone go from a life of shambles and pain to a life full of happiness and success. 

I am so proud of my clients and their dedication to their recovery. It takes a lot of work and does not happen overnight. But when lasting sobriety is achieved, the ongoing benefits are nothing short of life-changing.

Our latest resource from the crew at SOBRLIFE answers the question in full and also offers guidance on choosing a certification program suited to your professional development in recovery coaching.

What is the Role of Recovery Coaches?

All coaches do more than lead the cheers in that they help provide a critical ingredient to change – accountability. When I first meet with someone, we discuss what is happening in their lives now and what needs to change for them to create their ideal life. Recovery coaches use crisis intervention techniques to help clients overcome obstacles.

Attending a recovery coach training program is essential to develop skills such as crisis intervention and creating measurable goals.

We focus on their strengths and create measurable goals to get them to this ideal situation. Recovery coaching offers peer recovery support as a proven method to keep clients on track. I don’t tell them what to do.

Rather, we work together as a team and hold them accountable for their actions and what they have or haven’t done on their journey.

How are Recovery Coaches Certified? A Guide to Recovery Coach Certification

Recovery coaching as a field came about to address the growing demand for a level of care that is accessible, flexible, and, most importantly, affordable by becoming a certified addiction recovery coach. While there are less formal roles like being a sober companion, in most cases, obtaining recovery coach certification is crucial for building trust with clients.

Various training programs are available for aspiring recovery coaches. 

Recovery coach training covers foundational principles of addiction and coaching skills. One day, I may see a client in my office go over what triggers them to want to use, and then go on to help another client find online meeting resources that help them come up with coping mechanisms like art therapy or many other approaches we come up with to suit their personality and goals.

The next day, I may be on the phone helping a client identify barriers to their recovery.

Are There Opportunities for Sober Coaches and Recovery Coaches?

The opportunities for coaching are abundant. Recovery coaches work alongside addiction professionals to support individuals in overcoming addictions. Most people think coaches just focus on the social health epidemic of substance abuse.

But in reality, recovery coaches often draw from their personal recovery experiences to guide clients in many areas of their lives. 

People pre-contemplate change, like going to detox, going to rehab, or discharging from either. A Recovery Coach is part of that journey and can be part of other types of journeys.

Another example may be when we examine people’s health such as coping with a medical issue or new diagnosis. Being told you have chronic disease can be life-altering and making changes at this point are critical. Many other circumstances can create the need for coaching. A Recovery (or Sober) Coach can be instrumental in assisting a person in negotiating crucial pending changes.

Success Stories from Recovery Coaches

Another exciting thing for me is that you don’t have to go through attending classes on a school’s schedule to become a coach. The CCAR Recovery Coach Academy offers comprehensive training programs for aspiring recovery coaches. You can now access easy-to-use Recovery Coaching education online and learn at your leisure. 

North Shore Community College offers recovery coach certification training in Massachusetts. And my own resources and courses are certified by the National Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors (NADAC) and found at recoverycoaches.com.

Don’t take my word for it though. 

Listen to what some of my students have said:

“I felt that the material presented covered the objectives I had. I did not enter this program with any particular aim, other than trying to understand how best I can help clients that leave treatment. I felt that the material presented did a great job of explaining what my capacity could be.” – K. Morgan

“This class is more than I expected and contains much more content delivered in a very well organized curriculum. Good work Sober Network.” – J. Groomer

There are various certification programs available for becoming a certified recovery coach. “I really wanted to thank you for putting together such a comprehensive course which will allow me to set up for Course 2. I feel so invigorated with my recovery because of all this new knowledge and the opportunity to put into use.” – L.J. Schwartz

Support the Recover Out Loud Movement as a Recovery Coach

We hope our latest resource from SOBRLIFE has shown how someone in long-term recovery can find the training and skills needed to find rewarding work in helping others achieve sobriety.

Our ongoing resources related to supporting the ‘recover out loud movement’ also include new SOBR WATER, as well as our collections of fresh and clean sober clothing styles. If you have found our guide informative, we invite you to join us in sharing and celebrating the benefits and beauty of life lived sober!

Learn more by visiting www.recoverycoaches.com today! We would love to have you as part of our family of coaches helping with positive changes!!!