What is a ‘Recovery Coach’?
A recovery coach is a trained peer mentor who supports individuals in early or ongoing recovery from substance use. Unlike therapists or doctors, recovery coaches don’t provide clinical treatment—instead, they focus on encouragement, accountability, and helping people navigate the daily challenges of staying sober. They act as guides and motivators, offering practical advice, emotional support, and connections to community resources.
Breaking free from substance abuse is difficult — not just in the short term when you’re detoxing from drugs or alcohol, but also over the long term as you try to resist the temptation to indulge again. A substance abuse recovery coach can help you deal with these challenges. But what is a recovery coach, and more importantly, what does a recovery coach do to support those battling substance abuse? In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and explain how a coach can help you travel the path to sobriety.
Defining the Role: What Does a Recovery Coach Do?
Recovery coaches offer ongoing support for those who are trying to get or stay free from drugs or alcohol. They check in regularly with the person to see how they’re feeling, help maintain their motivation and mentor the individual as they navigate the hurdles of returning to day-to-day life. The may have training as a social worker, an addiction therapist, or even an interventionist, though none of these are requirements.
How Recovery Coaches Differ From Therapists or Sponsors
Recovery coaches aren’t therapists. They’re not trained to assist with serious mental health concerns. They may be able to work alongside a therapist to help individuals practice the strategies recommended in treatment sessions, but they don’t get involved with emotional work.
A substance abuse recovery coach can answer questions and provide encouragement and a listening ear, but they aren’t substance abuse experts, and the practical support they can offer is limited. However, recovery coaches fill a more intensive role than a sponsor in a 12-step program. Sponsors are usually volunteers who’ve received basic training in the program they work with.
Ways Recovery Coaches Support Long-Term Sobriety
So, what does a recovery coach do to help people stay sober? They provide four key forms of help: emotional support, information, instrumental aid and connections to other groups offering lifelong assistance.
The first few weeks and months following detox are critical for long-term sobriety. Numerous studies show relapse rates as high as 50% during the first 12 weeks after detox. When someone is given access to housing, employment and stability during that crucial time and has a mentor checking in with them, they’re more likely to stay the course.
Evidence of Effectiveness in Addiction Recovery
Working with a recovery coach has been found effective in both reducing substance abuse and improving the quality of life of those in recovery. Studies show the support provided by recovery coaches helped reduce alcohol and illicit drug use among rehab clients from 30% to 16% over a 6-month period.
Those who work with recovery coaches are more likely to comply with their doctors’ recommendations and adhere to their treatment programs and less likely to miss sessions. In addition, they report lower stress levels and a higher quality of life.
When and Why to Consider Working With a Coach
If you’ve recently gone through a detox program and you’re struggling with the transition to day-to-day life, working with a recovery coach may offer the support you need. Recovery from opioid addiction, alcoholism or other forms of substance abuse is a long road. A recovery coach could help you stay on track despite the challenges life throws at you.
The initial transition from rehab to the normal world is when people commonly relapse. A recovery coach can provide a bridge between the intensive support of a rehab facility and having to rely on your own willpower alone. Your coach can arm you with the skills you need to return to your daily routine, help you build a support system and provide light-touch accountability to help you face temptations.
How to Find a Qualified Recovery Coach
If you’d like to start working with a recovery coach, ask your rehab provider if they can put you in touch with one. If you’re at the start of your recovery journey, check whether the detox or rehab facility you’d like to work with has a recovery coach on staff or can refer you to an outside one.
At the National Rehab Hotline, our database includes clinics and rehab centers offering a full range of recovery services, including medically assisted detox, outpatient and inpatient treatment programs, counseling and ongoing support. We can help you find a recovery coach to mentor, encourage and guide you through your recovery process.
To learn more about recovery coach assistance and other substance abuse recovery options, contact the National Rehab Hotline today.