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Recovery coaching is a non-clinical service that provides support to people during addiction recovery, alongside, following, or instead of professional treatments. Coaches can help access necessary services to manage issues relating to housing, employment, or legal concerns and can serve as mentors or allies throughout the recovery process.
- Recovery coaching provides non-clinical support in managing practical issues that can occur during substance use disorders.
- The role of the recovery coach is to help the individual access the services they require, motivate and encourage them throughout recovery, and provide advice and empathetic support.
- To find local recovery coaches, you can look online, speak to a professional involved in your treatment, or use recovery phone apps.
What is recovery coaching?
Recovery coaching is a form of non-clinical support for people overcoming drug or alcohol addiction. Recovery coaches, also known as peer mentors, usually have lived experiences of substance use and have gone through the recovery process themselves, providing a relatable and empathetic support model.
Although they have no clinical qualifications, recovery coaches receive training and certification to enable them to provide appropriate support. [1]
Recovery coaching can be utilized following or alongside professional treatment programs or as an alternative intervention. Additionally, it can be implemented within a clinical environment, criminal justice setting, homeless shelter, or community-based setting. [2]
Recovery coaching will be tailored to the individual’s needs and can help with setting goals for the different stages of recovery and managing practical issues, including housing, employment, and ongoing treatments. Coaches serve as a link to a range of services, helping to improve understanding of and access to resources that can benefit recovery. [3]
The role of a recovery coach in addiction recovery
The role of a recovery coach is to provide support tailored to the individual’s needs. They do not provide therapeutic interventions, although they can offer guidance and some level of emotional support. [3]
As recovery coaches are often people in addiction recovery themselves, they can provide a unique role that clinicians cannot offer, drawing from their own experiences. This can help reduce feelings of stigmatization or judgment that often occur within traditional substance use disorder treatments. [1]
A recovery coach serves as a mentor and ally to the individual, helping them to navigate their recovery and overcome challenges in accessing various services.[4]
Recovery coaches can be referred to by many different names, all of which encompass a similar role, including:
- Peer recovery coaches
- Sober coaches
- Peer recovery support specialist
- Peer mentor
- Peer-delivered recovery support
Key responsibilities of a recovery coach
The key responsibilities of a recovery coach include: [2][3][4]
- Providing motivation and encouragement with recovery goals and abstinence
- Connecting the individual to necessary services
- Developing goals and plans to support recovery
- Assisting the individual in addressing needs around housing, finances, employment, medications, and healthcare
- Deliver empathetic support
Benefits of recovery coaching
Recently, several reviews have looked to ascertain the benefits that recovery coaching can provide. This research is still growing and the definition of recovery coaching and its role in treatment requires further clarification. However, so far, there is strong evidence to suggest that recovery coaching can provide many benefits, including: [2][3]
- Reduced substance use
- Reduced relapse rates
- Reduced re-hospitalization rates
- Decreased need for emergency services
- Decreased involvement with the criminal justice system
- Improved treatment retention
- Improved therapeutic relationships with treatment providers
- Improved access to social supports and services
- More stability in housing
Difference between recovery coaches and therapists
Recovery coaches offer practical support to people in addiction recovery, helping to develop strategies and goals and access services. In contrast, therapists provide emotional support, focusing on past events, trauma, and emotional difficulties. Therapists will have specialist training and qualifications that recovery coaches do not have. [1]
How recovery coaching is implemented
Currently, recovery coaching is not a clearly defined service, with variations in the coaches’ training, supervision, and role. Some clinical and community teams offer recovery coaching within their treatment models, while other recovery coaching services are provided separately from treatment. [1] Additionally, recovery coaching can be offered on an individual or group basis.
Peer recovery coaching
In individual settings, peer mentors build one-on-one relationships, offering guidance, support, and resources to help individuals navigate recovery challenges, set achievable goals, and maintain motivation. Peer recovery support services (PRSS) have become increasingly used by people in addiction recovery to access support and resources. [3]
Programs like the Peer Recovery Expansion Project (PREP) and integrated health system initiatives have successfully incorporated peer recovery coaches to enhance outreach and deliver treatment services, demonstrating high enrollment rates and positive outcomes.
Group recovery coaching programs
In group settings, peer mentors facilitate discussions, promote shared experiences, and create a sense of community, allowing participants to learn from one another and build supportive networks. For example, peer support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), involve non-clinical assistance and guidance within a group. [5]
These group recovery support coaching programs are often led by an unlicensed non-professional individual in recovery, similar to a recovery coach. Also, people can be allocated a sponsor or mentor from the group, who offers support to the individual in maintaining their sobriety. [5]
Certification and training for recovery coaches
To be certified as a recovery coach, individuals typically must complete a set number of training hours in specific areas. These requirements can vary by state, but they often include training in areas such as ethics, professionalism, coaching in the Emergency Department and Justice settings, and Recovery Coach Academy. [6]
The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) provides a breakdown of training specifics and routes to gaining certification.
Choosing a recovery coach
When choosing a recovery coach, it can be beneficial to find out about the following:
- The number of hours of experience they have
- Their own experiences
- If they are certified and with which association
- How they communicate with their clients and if they are empathic
- Their costs
A substance use disorder treatment provider or primary care physician may be able to advise on finding recovery coaches in your area. Also, some phone apps can help find a local recovery coach.
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