Top 3 Traits to Look for When Hiring an Addictions Coach

Getting help isn’t easy, and it can be an unnerving experience for just about anyone. Putting yourself out there, fully vulnerable, into the hands of someone else – it’s scary. However, with the rising popularity of addiction treatment alternatives and more talk about coaching in particular making its way into the mainstream, you have to know these three traits to look for in a coach. It’s a reliable field rest assured, but these three qualities separate the good from the great.

Certified

A common misconception when it comes to addiction coaching is that anyone and everyone who’s listed will be qualified. However, unfortunately, certification isn’t a necessity and thus there will be a few bad actors mixed in. It cannot be stressed enough how important certification is and the difference it can make in care. A certified addictions coach is fully trained in everything to do with the field. Relationship management, listening skills, communication, road mapping – their learned expertise is priceless.
Luckily, more often than not, you’ll find a coach that’s certified and that’s for good reason. Certification is simple, doesn’t take long, and there are plenty of providers who offer certification courses with incredible effectiveness. If you don’t know for sure, you can usually find designated titles such as “NCRC I” and “NCRC II”, or for various specific addiction treatment services there differing designations. If you’re unsure, it’s never a bad idea to simply search for the correct title and cross reference with any listings you find. Don’t take a risk on an uncertified coach! Your health is on the line and that is not something to take lightly.

Good Reviews

This may seem a given, but some may need to hear it directly before misplacing their trust. You cannot jump into addiction coaching based solely on blind trust. While it may be tempting to put your faith in a family member or close friend who can claim that they do the job of an addictions coach, this is a big responsibility.

This may lead to a valid hypothetical – what would this mean for new coaches wanting to start out? It’s hard to have good reviews when you’re getting started. While this is true, there are some certification services that offer supervised coaching as part of the certification process. Look at The Addictions Academy as a brilliant example – a leading provider and juggernaut in the industry – that offers ten weeks of call-in/online coaching mentorship training. You would be hard-pressed to find a reliable coach who didn’t have at least one good reference, and even if you somehow were to stumble into a niche case, you’re better off safe than sorry.

Connection

Connections in this industry are the mortar between the bricks of reliability. Sure the structure can be strong, but good connections solidify value and security. Either association with reliable sources or being a part of a grander organization with strict standards and guidelines. The Addictions Coach is a fantastic example of one of these organizations. Each coach is guaranteed to be certified, trained in their methods, and built to help any client they’re paired with. The organization also pairs each client with the perfect addictions coach for them to maximize effectiveness and ensure the smoothest recovery.

Organizations like this and Sober on Demand are the safest bet, and while the entire process of getting a coach may be scary, this can be the least scary option. If any of these traits are missing in a coach, this should be enough to raise a couple of red flags. If availability in your area is limited, it may not have to be the be-all-end-all if one of these traits is off, but it’s highly recommended that you follow these tips moving forward!