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What is a recovery coach?

What is a recovery coach, a peer recovery support specialist or a professional recovery coach?

In 2013, I published Recovery Coaching – A Guide to Coaching People in Recovery from Addictions, since then the duties and responsibilities of recovery coaches, peer recovery support specialists and professional recovery coaches have expanded significantly.

In this post, I hope to help define for those interested in becoming a recovery coach what certifications they should seek, the places they could work and what they can anticipate as compensation for their work.

What kind of certification should a future recovery coach receive?

Recovery coach training and certification is a requirement in this field. Coaching certification and training is one of the fastest growing aspects of the healthcare field. The number of recovery coaching training and certification courses has expanded to over 300 institutions nationwide. Many employers require recovery coach and peer recovery support specialist certifications. In the links section of this web site is a state by state listing of all the organizations that offer certifications for addiction recovery coaches.

If you are reading this post to receive basic recovery coaching information, first decide if you enjoy working with people in recovery from substance misuse or want to work with people in recovery from a mental health or behavioral health disorder.

Are you interested in working with people in recovery from addictions or in recovery from a mental health or behavioral health diagnosis?

A nearly universal definition of a peer recovery support specialist or a recovery coach is an individual with the lived experience of their own recovery journey and wants to assist others who are in the early stages of the healing process from psychic, traumatic and/or substance misuse challenges, thus, this peer can aid and support another peer’s personal recovery journey.

Some certifications for a peer recovery support specialist give an individual the training necessary to work with individuals with a behavioral health disorder or a mental health diagnosis. These certifications include more training on the nature of behavioral health disorders, the medications used to treat these disorders, crisis interventions, life/occupational skills, and trauma informed care. A recovery coach working with people in addiction recovery does not necessarily need these types of training. In this post, I will focus on the recovery coach working with people in recovery from substance misuse.

The individuals that work with people in recovery from substance misuse are called recovery coaches, as well as peer recovery support specialists (PRSS), peer recovery support practitioners (PRSP), recovery support specialists (RSS), sober companions, recovery associates or quit coaches. In all cases, they support individuals in recovery from addiction(s), which can include alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating disorders as well as other addictive behaviors.

The basic recovery coaching credential is required. If you want more specific training, one can add certification for treating co-occurring disorders, the application of Narcan which includes the certification for coaching persons detoxing from an opioid overdose, certification coaching individuals in Suboxone or Methadone treatment also called Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Medication Supported Recovery (MSR), certification for spiritual recovery coaches and credentials for coaches working with individuals with behavioral addictions such as sexual compulsivity, internet gaming and gambling disorders. Treatment centers may require a drug and alcohol counseling certificate to work with inpatient clients.

Recovery coaching credentialing has expanded to include recovery coach supervisors, training for individuals that want to manage other recovery coaches, or an elevated level of certification called professional recovery coaching.

A professional recovery coach is an individual that has been coaching for several years, has hundreds of coaching hours under their belt, manages other coaches and/or has received other coaching credentials. A professional recovery coach is sometimes referred to as a life recovery coach. A professional recovery coach can receive training from any of the organizations that train peers or recovery coaches, and in addition, they can receive training from the International Coach Federation’s accredited life coach training program. Recently, Connecticut Community of Addiction Recovery has started developing a Professional Coaching Certification.

Where do you want to work?

Some recovery coaches seek to work at a recovery community organization (RCOs) or a recovery support center. An RCO is an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. The recovery coaches at these recovery community organizations work with people of all financial means, addicts that are homeless, offenders, even professionals like nurses, teachers, lawyers and highly educated individuals, who have hit bottom. Sometimes, the recovery coaches at these centers receive a salary from the RCO. RCO recovery coaches can also be volunteers, opting to perform their coaching duties for no reimbursement at all.

Recovery coaches can be employed by treatment centers coaches often escort a client home from a treatment center insuring they do not relapse in the first 30 days after discharge. More half way houses or sober living environments are employing recovery coaches. In fact, many recovery coaches have opened a transitional living home or a supportive sober living environments. They act as a recovery coach and a house manager at the same time, their presence adds to the quality of the recovery experience for the residents.

Recovery coaches can work in emergency departments in hospitals, detoxification centers or sobering centers; working with individuals in crisis, either detoxing from an alcohol or opioid overdose.

Lastly, some recovery coaches run their own business. They will visit clients or call them over the phone or use SKYPE. These recovery coaches market themselves by contacting a treatment center’s aftercare coordinator, maintaining a web site or will seek referrals from therapists. These coaches meet face to face with the client weekly and will work with them over the phone or face to face on a regular basis. The client is billed directly for the coaching services.

How much do you want to be paid for your services?

Recovery coaches are paid a variety of rates. A recovery community organization, a treatment center, sober living environment or social services agency recovery coaching rates are from $12-$20 per hour. If a recovery coach receives their salary from a social services agency, or a recovery community organization that agency may have received a grant to run a peer program from the State or Federal government.

A professional life recovery coach can bill from $35 up to $100 an hour for their coaching services. These professional recovery coaches bill their clients directly and incur expenses for running their coaching practice such as insurance, travel and overhead. This ‘pie in the sky’ $100 per hour fee of a professional recovery coach is not for the inexperienced or newbie coach. There are significant responsibilities a recovery coach has for their client, primarily keeping them free from relapse or overdose, or in other words- keeping them alive.

Soon, there will be reimbursement from health insurance companies for recovery coaching for individuals who are diagnosed as dependent on a substance. New York has an arrangement with the state’s Medicaid offices to reimburse for recovery coaching for individuals who are diagnosed as dependent on a substance. Other states, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Massachusetts, are formulating similar Medicaid payment plans, but these reimbursements are not yet in place. Currently, private independent health insurance companies do not cover the services of a recovery coach working with an individual in recovery from an addiction.

In less than four years the field of recovery coaching has grown significantly. With the advent of the Affordable Healthcare Act and the newest legislation to fight addiction, the 21st Century CURES and the CARA Acts , recovery coaching is now recognized as one of the most important tools to initiate and maintain long term recovery. This recognition will continue as the benefits from recovery coaching continue to be realized.

 

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What is the difference between a recovery coach, a peer recovery support specialist and a professional recovery coach?

I published my book Recovery Coaching – A Guide to Coaching People in Recovery from Addictions in 2013. A recovery coach, a peer recovery support specialist and a professional recovery coach’s duties and responsibilities have expanded significantly since then. The organizations that offer recovery coach training numbered around 50 in 2013. Today, the number has grown to over 250. Recovery coach certification training is one of the fastest growing aspects of the coaching field, with many states establishing recovery coaching and peer recovery support-specialist certifications. Yet, for many people who seek to achieve basic recovery coaching information, the process of training, certification, credentialing or licensing are baffling. With all of this growth and change, anyone who is interested in being a recovery coach is very confused about the necessary training, what to call this training and even what to call themselves! I want to make an attempt to clear up this confusion and answer the question:

  • What is the difference between a recovery coach, a peer recovery support specialist and a professional recovery coach?

What is a Recovery Coach?

A recovery coach is a person that works with and supports individuals immersed in an addiction(s), and coaches people in recovery from the abuse of alcohol and drugs, gambling, eating disorders or other addictive behaviors. Sometimes recovery coaches who work with people with addictions have been referred to as a peer recovery support specialist, a recovery support specialist (RSS), a sober companion, recovery associate or quit coach. In all cases these terminologies describe the same job description; a person who meets with clients in order to aid in their recovery from addiction(s). Even though many certifications for recovery coaches are classified as peer recovery support practitioner certifications. I prefer to use the term recovery coach in describing a person coaching an individual in recovery from addiction, instead of using the term “peer,” mainly because there is no requirement that a recovery coach be a peer (meaning they are an addict in recovery). Although it may be believed having experiential knowledge is a best practice for a recovery coach, it could be a recovery coach has knowledge of addiction and recovery perhaps by knowing an addict, having a family member with an addiction or taking courses in the treatment field. I have kept the term “non-clinical” out of this definition of a recovery coach because over the course of several years, I have seen drug and alcohol counselors, family and marriage therapists (MFTs), licensed clinical social workers, interventionists (LCSWs), psychotherapists and psychiatrists, train to be recovery coaches and then add coaching to their resume. I hear from these individuals that they embrace the coaching approach, and merge the knowledge they have as a clinician or interventionist with recovery coaching methods.

Some individuals seek recovery and sobriety from addictions by frequenting a recovery community organization (RCOs) or recovery support center. An RCO is an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. There are recovery coaches at these recovery community organizations. These coaches have very diverse backgrounds. I have met coaches that were addicts, homeless, offenders, teachers, lawyers and highly educated individuals, who choose to help another person in recovery. I have seen these coaches espouse 12-step ideologies as well as non-12-step recovery models such as Buddhist Recovery, Moderation Management, Kundalini Yoga or Harm Reduction. Sometimes, the recovery coaches at these centers receive a salary from the RCO, however, the client is not charged for the recovery coaching services. RCO recovery coaches can also be volunteers, opting to perform their coaching duties for no reimbursement at all. Lastly, recovery coaches can be employed by treatment centers or sober living homes and receive compensation from them. In cases such as this, the client is billed for the coaching services from the centers or homes. I know many a recovery coach who has opened a transitional living home or a supportive sober living environment. They coach the people who reside at these locations and their presence adds to the quality of the recovery experience.

Unfortunately, recovery coaching or peer coaching for addiction recovery is not covered by insurance. No independent health insurance company covers the services of a recovery coach working with an individual in recovery from an addiction. There is currently only one state, New York, that has an arrangement with the state’s Medicaid offices to reimburse for recovery coaching for individuals who are diagnosed as dependent on a substance. Other states, Tennessee, Maryland and Massachusetts, are formulating similar Medicaid payment plans, but these reimbursements are not yet in place.

What is a peer to peer recovery support specialist?

A nearly universal definition of a peer to peer recovery support specialist is an individual with lived experience who has initiated his/her own recovery journey and assists others who are in earlier stages of the healing process of recovery from psychic, traumatic and/or substance-use challenges and, as a result, can offer assistance and support to promote another peer’s own personal recovery journey. A peer to peer recovery support specialist is also called a peer, a peer support practitioner, a peer mentor, or a certified peer. All of these terms basically describe the same job description. More and more, this job description is focused on the peer to peer recovery support specialist working with a person in mental health recovery.The certified peer to peer recovery support specialist workforce is relatively new in the behavioral health field, with state-recognized certification programs first emerging in 2001. Within this short time frame, states have recognized the potential of peer specialists to improve consumer outcomes by promoting recovery. Many social service agencies pay the peer’s salary, and the client does not pay for the coaching. Peer to peer recovery support specialists can also work independently from an agency and be reimbursed by the client or a family.

In the mental health/behavioral health field, when referred by a social services agency or mental health treatment organization, reimbursement for a peer to peer recovery support specialist is covered by a health plan or Medicaid when aiding an individual in mental health recovery.

What is a professional recovery coach?

A professional recovery coach, is sometimes referred to as a recovery life coach. A professional recovery coach has experience and training in the recovery models, and training as a professional coach. These professional and credentialed coaching programs are sometimes referred to as life coaching training. A professional recovery coach can receive training from any of the 250 organizations that train recovery coaches, and select not to receive the certificate from a state certification board or the IC & RC (see the certification information in next week’s post). A professional coach can receive training from the ICF – International Coach Federation’s accredited coach training programs, and apply for a credential issued by the ICF.A professional recovery coach can assist a client with a variety of coaching interventions including, but not limited to recovery from addictions, dealing with mental health diagnoses, divorce, financial downturns, grieving, career change and even family relationship issues. The client is billed for the coaching services from the professional recovery coach. Again, healthcare plans do not reimburse for these coaching services.

For more information consider purchasing my book Recovery Coaching – A Guide to Coaching People in Recovery from Addictions

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Experience, Strength & Hope Awards Honor Pat O’Brien

“The sober celebrities taking part in the 2017 Experience, Strength & Hope Awards truly show what can be achieved through the miracle of recovery.”

The 2017 Experience, Strength & Hope Award honored author and TV personality Pat O’Brien for his personal account of recovery in his book, I’ll Be Back Right After This: My Memoir. In an article written by John Lavitt, published in www.thefix.com on March 1st, 2017 Lavitt documents The Experience, Strength & Hope Awards as a premiere event in Los Angeles, given in recognition of an individual’s honest account of their journey through addiction to recovery.

This year’s event was held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, on February 23, 2017. It is the 8th annual installment of the ESH awards orchestrated by Leonard Buschel , a recovery advocate, founder of Writers in Treatment and originator of the Reel Recovery Film Festival to celebrate the redemptive power of recovery. In addition to founding Writers in Treatment, Buschel is also the publisher of a popular weekly industry newsletter, the Addiction/Recovery eBulletin.

When asked his motivation behind these endeavors, Buschel said, “My goal is that any newcomer that comes to these events commits to sobriety because they see a creative and energetic message. The sober celebrities taking part truly show what can be achieved through the miracle of recovery.” The sober celebrities at this year’s event included actor Bruce Davison, musician Joe Walsh, singer Sherri Lewis, comedian Sarge, and the acting couple Ed Begley Jr. and Rachelle Carson-Begley.

Bruce Davison hoped his participation would help demonstrate the freedom that recovery affords an artist: “The big dilemma is that so many artists think they need their suffering or their drug of choice to function. But I’ve found the opposite to be true, particularly in relation to my creative work. This is why this message needs to be expressed. The part of the program that’s important is the part that is shared. The experience, strength and hope of one of us is the experience, strength and hope of all of us.”

Throughout the early reception and into the later awards show, the message expressed was the importance of paving a path for newcomers. Each of the celebrities present emphasized the role of humility in 12-step programs. By leaving behind the instituted arrogance of the bright lights and truly becoming humble, a person has the opportunity to be of service to those in need. Honoree Pat O’Brien highlighted how the people that came before him saved his life when the “shit” hit the proverbial fan. As a result, it was now his job to reach out to others and help them.

When asked what winning the ESH award meant to him, Pat O’Brien told The Fix, “It means that I’ve done the work in recovery up to now. Such work begins anew every day when I commit myself to staying sober and to being of service to others. In the beginning, I was afraid of recovery. Right now, many people out there remain stuck in their misery because they are afraid of living a sober life. They don’t want to lose the alcohol or the drugs. The high has become their best friend, even when it stops working. I discovered that when you finally surrender and embrace recovery, it turns out that it brings forth a life much better than you ever imagined.”

Given his extensive experience as a broadcaster and television personality, it was intriguing that the celebrity chosen to present Pat O’Brien with the ESH award was legendary Eagles guitar player Joe Walsh. After all, what do broadcasters and rock stars have in common? It turns out, a fondness for alcohol and cocaine back in the day. In the lyrics to his 1978 solo hit, “Life’s Been Good,” he sang of the decadence of those years. “I go to parties, sometimes until four/ It’s hard to leave when you can’t find the door.” Defying the odds, Joe Walsh embraced the path of sobriety, becoming close friends with Pat O’Brien in the 12-step rooms.

In his funny and moving introduction to the honoree, Joe Walsh started by saying to the gathering of industry professionals and young people in early recovery, “I will be signing court cards after the awards show.” He went on to commend the example set by Pat O’Brien, saying, “A wonderful friend in sobriety and a great example of how someone can help others when they get sober. I don’t really care about all the rules in regards to anonymity. Everyone knows what I did. As celebrities, the best thing we can do when we get sober is talk about it.”

In response to this powerful declaration, Joe Walsh received a rousing cheer from the audience. Later, when speaking in private with The Fix about what was going to be written, Walsh highlighted his main point, “Creativity and recovery are great subjects to write about. Showing the connection between the two will help a lot of people out there. Getting sober and staying sober was really tough for me in the beginning. What I learned by walking through the hard times, however, is that what happens next is a bit surprising because it is so amazing.”

After giving Joe Walsh a big hug, Pat O’Brien happily accepted the 2017 Experience, Strength & Hope Award. On the podium, he spoke about overcoming the dark times, saying, “My friend Michael J. Fox and my lawyers both told me the same thing. They told me to just fuck it and breathe. I know that sounds a bit dirty and out of context. However, right now and moving forward, one day at a time, I simply want to do my best to help extinguish the stigma surrounding alcoholism and addiction. This is a brain disease, and it’s astounding how few people know and accept that fact in this country. It is our job to help change minds and open doors.”

After Pat O’Brien received his award, Leonard Buschel took the stage to speak about the mission of Writers in Treatment and the Reel Recovery Film Festival. With festivals now in seven cities across the country every year, Buschel wants the film festival to eventually have 20 annual events nationwide. Explaining this motivation to grow and expand, Buschel said, “I want people in early recovery across the country to see the true potential of what can be accomplished. What would happen if when people checked into rehab, they were told, ‘If you stay, we promise that you will become a miracle.’ Okay, it might be a bit too biblical for day one, but you all know what I mean. What if we could share our hopes and our dreams? That is what keeps me motivated and that’s what keeps me moving forward.”

Such a message resonated deeply with the audience and well beyond. For example, as the founder and CEO of the teen rehab Newport Academy, Jamison Monroe has been a supporter of Leonard Buschel’s efforts, including the Addiction/Recovery eBulletin, over the years. Describing the reasons behind his ongoing support, Monroe said, “In our teen rehab programs and in our sober high schools, the young people are facing a challenging time in their lives. Can they have fun and be successful moving forward while maintaining their sobriety? What’s so great about the Experience, Strength & Hope Awards and the Reel Recovery Film Festival is that they provide concrete proof that recovery can lead to dreams coming true. Rather than life ending when you get sober, it can be a time of true creativity. This is a powerful lesson for young people everywhere to learn.”

Indeed, the lesson taught by the Experience, Strength & Hope Award show year in and year out is the redemptive power of recovery. No matter how far addicts or alcoholics fall, through the miracle of recovery, they can realize their potential and experience a deep and lasting sense of meaning in their lives. Of course, amends need to be made and wreckage needs to be cleared, but sobriety is more than just about cleaning up the mess left behind. Getting sober offers the creative promise of a bright, productive and inspired future that opens doors and deserves recognition. For providing such acknowledgement, the ESH Award has become a valuable facet of the jewel that is recovery. Such an annual celebration of honest accounts of the path to sobriety reminds both the newcomer and the old-timer of how their inner strength can overcome past bad experiences and lead to true hope today and onward.

This article was written by John Lavitt

and re-posted with permission from http://www.thefix.com

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