The highly successful professional football coach, Pete Carroll, once said, “Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen.” The same concept applies to a recovery coach. The difference is that football is a game, and recovery can be life and death.
Successful recovery is never a “one-and-done” or “quick-fix” process. It takes a lot of time and hard work. For many, it also takes a lot of outside help. This outside help may include a case manager, a therapist, a clinician, an intervention specialist, and a recovery coach.
A recovery coach can be a crucial and pivotal part of both the individual struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), as well as the family involved. A recovery coach can help develop family goals and ensure boundaries are kept. They can also help the loved one struggling with addiction to avoid triggering situations and remain connected to the local recovery community.
What Is a Recovery Coach?
According to the academic journal Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, “Although 8% to 9% of the adult U.S. population has an alcohol or drug use problem at any given time, only 2% of the population seek and receive treatment each year for these disorders (about 3.8 million individuals), and even individuals who successfully complete treatment have high relapse rates.” These are rather grim rates, but for each individual, this does not have to be their reality.
These statistics are just one of the many reasons that we here at Clere Consulting believe in utilizing all of the tools and resources at our disposal to help our clients recover. We also do so on an individualized basis, which we feel is crucial to getting our clients the specific treatment they need. Yes, this may include a recovery coach.
A recovery coach is someone that aims to ensure that everyone involved in the recovery process (the person of concern, family, friends, and employer) remains working toward the same fundamental goal. This goal is attaining and maintaining recovery. The recovery coach will continue to hold everyone accountable and make sure they are on the same page. This is especially true as the recovery process continues after the initial intervention (if necessary) and treatment.
What Are the Benefits of a Recovery Coach?
A recovery coach is someone that will help remove roadblocks in the way of somebody’s long-term recovery. They will also ensure that individuals meet and celebrate the milestones that are the true gifts of recovery. The recovery coach also works with the family in a similar capacity.
For the Individual
When a loved one is beginning their recovery journey, it can be difficult navigating their new path. After all, this may be the first time they are experiencing aspects of their life from a “recovered” perspective. A recovery coach will be the person that the individual can lean on when they are struggling. This may happen when they encounter situations that may threaten their new healthy way of life.
There is a saying in many 12-Step programs that simply states “people, places, and things.” That means that a person in recovery should think about avoiding “people, places, and things” that may threaten their sobriety. A recovery coach can ensure that these three situations are best avoided and work through them when they do come up.
It is important to remember that life doesn’t happen in a bubble. This includes recovery life. A recovery coach will help the person of concern “live life on life’s terms” and teach them the tools and techniques to eventually manage these situations on their own.
For the Family
In the medical, therapy, and recovery community, it is now widely agreed upon that addiction is a “family disease.” What this means is that addiction can take emotional, mental, and physical tolls on everyone involved.
It is for this reason that a recovery coach also works with the family. The family needs to understand that they are also part of the recovery process. They also need to be reminded that they have to maintain their recovery plan of action. This often includes setting boundaries and goals as their loved one does the same.
What Makes Clere Consulting Recovery Coaches Unique?
Here at Clere Consulting, our recovery coaches work on a case-by-case basis for each of our clients. They can be involved throughout the entire process, from setting up the case plan to completing the roadmap for long-term recovery. Just like coach Carroll, we believe that each of our clients has the potential to succeed in recovery. Our recovery coaches simply help nudge that potential in the right direction.
When a family member is struggling with substance use disorder, employing a recovery coach can become an essential part of attaining and maintaining a healthy recovery. Here at Clere Consulting, we have recovery coaches that can help your family succeed. They can help your family develop goals, set boundaries, and achieve recovery milestones. A recovery coach can also set your loved one up with the proper resources and community connections to help aid their recovery and avoid triggering situations. Addiction is a family disease, which is why the entire family needs help in their healing. A recovery coach can help this healing happen and also continue long-term. Call Clere Consulting today at (866) 384-8847 for more information.
