Understanding the Role of a Recovery Coach
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of people seeking substance abuse treatment rose by 4% from 2015 to 2020. This increase highlights the need for a reliable support system, especially for individuals on their recovery journey. A recovery coach plays a crucial role in providing the guidance and encouragement necessary to overcome challenges associated with drug addiction, alcoholism, or other mental health-related issues. The rising numbers show that extra support may be necessary for a successful recovery.
Overcoming old habits and changing thought processes takes time. Having someone nearby to help work through challenging times can make a significant difference between recovery and relapse. This is where a trained recovery coach can help.
What is a Recovery Coach?
Though necessary and well-meaning, family and friends often have emotional ties that can influence the recovery process. In addition, they can experience extreme pressure when helping someone they love through recovery.
In contrast, a recovery coach has no such ties; their presence assists an individual through the recovery process without any enmeshment in their client’s life. A recovery coach ensures that the transition back into in-home care and community participation occurs smoothly. They foster independence, aid in the recovery process, and support cases where a crisis or relapse may occur.
Although drug detox, rehabilitation treatment, or hospital stays are difficult, the most unpredictable period for someone in recovery is often the 90 days after leaving treatment. Returning home to familiar surroundings and seeing old friends can trigger relapse or cause emotional upheaval. Moreover, meeting everyday demands—work, school, family, and bills—while adjusting to recovery can be overwhelming.
A recovery coach helps make these issues much more manageable, increasing the chances for successful recovery.
Ways a Recovery Coach Can Help
Ways a Recovery Coach Can Help
The assistance of a recovery coach lightens the load, allowing an individual in recovery to transition back into everyday life at a pace that works for them. Here are some ways a recovery coach can help:
Communication and Contact
Recovery coaches maintain contact with their clients based on needs. For example, some may reside in a client’s home while gradually promoting independence. Other coaches check in once or twice daily as needed, ready to assist during crises or discuss challenges.
Help You Connect With Others
A strong support group is essential in recovery. A recovery coach helps clients find local 12-step meetings or refer them to licensed mental health professionals such as therapists or psychiatrists. Their familiarity with the recovery process allows them to guide clients effectively.
Function as Your Advocate or Consultant
A recovery coach understands the industry and can help with appointments while identifying client needs and advocating for care. They can answer questions from clients and families, reducing confusion during the recovery journey.
Help With Daily Tasks
Social, emotional, and financial barriers can lead to relapse. Even small tasks like laundry or paying bills can feel insurmountable. A recovery coach provides support through these tasks, helping clients accomplish them without relapsing.
Healthy and Sober Leisure Activities
A recovery coach can help clients make healthy lifestyle changes by managing stress and promoting better sleep and nutrition. They also assist clients in finding sober leisure activities like yoga classes or non-drinking social groups, which can be challenging due to stigma.
A Recovery Coach’s Role
While sponsors and therapists play vital roles in an individual’s recovery, a recovery coach fulfills different functions. Unlike sponsors who provide unpaid support based on shared experiences, recovery coaches are paid professionals who meet with clients as often as necessary.
A recovery coach is not a therapist either; their focus lies on present goals rather than exploring past traumas. By working closely with all members of a client’s recovery team, they enhance the likelihood of success.
The Journal of the American Medical Association states that 40-60% of people who seek treatment for substance abuse relapse within a year. This statistic highlights how essential it is to have comprehensive support when transitioning out of rehabilitation.
A recovery coach may be that defining factor that helps someone navigate that critical first year successfully.
BlueWing Care Professionals offers recovery coach services for substance abuse, mental health issues, or physical rehabilitation. If you’re interested in letting BlueWing lighten your healthcare load, book an appointment or contact us today.
