5 Ways a Sober Coach Can Impact Your Life

It is hard to overcome an addiction on your own. Even if you go to rehab, what happens when you get out? To recover well, you will almost always need to distance yourself from the people, places, and things in your ‘old’ way of life.  Usually, that leaves you with no one to talk to except a therapist, if you have one.

However, there is another option to ensure your sobriety sticks. You can get a sober coach. A sober coach can support you throughout your recovery or stay with you for as long as you feel they will be helpful.

Unlike a sponsor, a sober coach is trained in substance use disorders and can be available to you as much as you need. But it is not just drugs and alcohol use—sober coaches can help you with shopping addiction, gambling addiction, sex addiction, and even codependency issues.

A sober coach can listen, encourage, and go with you into high-risk situations. So, let’s take a closer look at five ways that a sober coach can impact your life and aid in your recovery.

1. Help You Identify and Face Your Triggers

Sometimes it is hard to see what may lead you to drink or use. If you aren’t ready for them, these triggers can quickly lead to a relapse. Like cravings, you won’t be able to stop them, but a sober coach can teach you how to face them head-on. They are often in recovery themselves and are available to you any time of the day.

Learning what your triggers are will help you avoid a relapse. One of the more common triggers includes negative emotions such as:

• Stress
• Anger
• Depression
• Grief
• Fear
• Panic
• Loneliness
• Boredom

You and your sober coach can brainstorm scenarios where these emotions might surface because many can strike suddenly and without notice. Suppose you feel any of these negative emotions. In that case, you can reach your sober coach immediately, and they can help you fight off the cravings and focus on something else. Unfortunately, most therapists are not going to be available on demand.

2. Go With You to High-Risk Places or Events

Environmental triggers are also common for relapse. A sober coach can go with you to places where you might be tempted to drink or use drugs. For example, if you must go to a wedding and you know there will be alcohol, a sober coach can go with you to the wedding to help you avoid drinking. Another example would be if you had to go back to a town where you used to hang out, and seeing those places could make you want to use drugs again. Similarly, a sober coach can go with you to ensure you don’t slip up.

3. Help Get Over a Relapse or Prevent One

Relapse is common. However, it doesn’t have to happen more than once if it does. If you relapse, you can bet that a sober coach will not give up on you. Think of a sober coach as your recovery cheerleader. They will cheer you on and give you support whenever you need it.

In addition, a sober coach will work collaboratively with you to help you develop a new way of life without using drugs or alcohol. Therefore, even if you make a mistake, they will assist you in getting back on your feet and on the right track to achieve your goals.

4. Someone to Talk to One-On-One

Having encouraging people in your life is crucial to making a full and speedy recovery. Several groups out there may provide this kind of assistance, the most well-known being Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. In addition, you could use a sober coach instead of or in addition to your social network.

Sober coaches can restore confidence and optimism to your life.

Also, isolation and loneliness are frequently key causes of relapse. Everyone starting on the road to recovery needs at least one person to have one-on-one conversations with. A sober coach will listen to your feelings and have your best interests at heart. Anytime you feel a craving, you can call them or even do a Zoom meeting, and they will be there for you.

5. Teach You How to Set Goals and Learn New Coping Skills

Early in recovery, it may be hard to figure out your new way of life. For example, you may have lost your job or wife and must start over without using drugs or alcohol as a crutch. A sober coach can help you set goals for yourself. Together, you can set small goals at first and then bigger goals as your recovery progresses.

A sober coach can also help you develop healthier coping mechanisms, which is crucial to your overall success in recovery. You sought relief from your problems for a long time by turning to alcohol, drugs, or other people. You can find new ways to express yourself with the support of a sober coach. For example, a sober coach may have you try the following coping skills:

• Journaling or writing
• Art
• Meditation and yoga
• Aromatherapy
• Finding a passion
• Exercising or walking outdoors
• Self-care techniques

This is not an exhaustive list of coping strategies, but a sober coach will know what works and will have you try them until you find what works best for YOU.

Find a Certified Sober Coach With The Addiction Coach

If you have an addiction and need help, finding a qualified sober coach may be the answer you need. Our sober coaches can help you get back on your feet and live life to the fullest. Reach out to The Addiction Coach at 800-706-0318 today, and let us match you up with a sober coach to guide you through your recovery.