How You Can Become a Sober Companion or Sober Coach
Are you the type of person who wants to help others but just can’t figure out the best way to do so? Maybe you’ve done a few things here and there to scratch that itch but haven’t been able to meet your full potential. Maybe you’ve seen the effects of addiction first-hand, either in someone you love or even in yourself and you want to find a way to battle against it.
While this might seem like a niche issue, twenty-one million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only ten percent of that number receive treatment for it. That leaves approximately nineteen million people in desperate need of help. There are resources they can reach out to in their time of need, but one of the most effective methods of addressing these issues is through sober coaching and sober companionship.
So, if you ever wanted to join in the effort to help these people, those methods would be a viable approach. If you don’t feel motivated quite yet, just know that while it may seem intimidating, getting into that field is readily available to so many people, they just don’t know it!
The Addictions Academy
For those who may be unfamiliar, the Addictions Academy is a prolific organization that specializes in education and certification in addictions coaching and sober companions. While it isn’t federally required for sober companions, The Addictions Academy provides certification anyway to provide potential clients a reason to trust you, and it makes for a great resume builder. Heck, the website even says:
“Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facilities turn to us to educate.”
That’s huge! But that may lead one to question: What exactly do they teach? Well, there are a few licenses one can pursue:
- Recovery Coach
- Trauma Coach
- Life Coach
- Christian Coach
- Teen Coach
- Family Coach
- Food Addictions Coach
And so, so much more! Their website is worth looking into if you want the full spectrum, but you can rest assured that it covers most needs. They don’t require any prerequisites before joining, and they don’t just leave you to fend for yourself afterward! They offer a job board, networking, and assistance with business / private practice. If that isn’t comforting enough, they also hire from within once all criteria are met, straight into the Addictions Academy or Addictions Coach team!
So, what do the classes look like? Well, the length of each class is dependent on the course. However, for the sake of example, we can look at the Recovery Coach class. Though, again, if you want more information on any other class, their website is chock full of information and worth checking out.
The course is 36 hours and takes place over ten weeks. The host is Cali Estes, The Addictions Coach and founder of the company. She has some astounding accolades to her name and is one of the most reliable individuals you can find to teach this information. If you’re a learner who does best moving at their own pace without direct instruction, there’s a self-study course with supervision. If you prefer a more traditional classroom, there’s the other course that host live webinars from 10-3 EST!
With the initial purchase, there’s a whole package of benefits that comes with it, so hold onto your seats because it’s kind of crazy! There are the classes themselves, with two tiers that they’re comprised of: The first series teaches coping skills, goal setting, documentation, duties, and so many other things I couldn’t possibly list. The second series covers terminology, client types, learning styles, and stages of change.
You thought that was it? Nope! Not only that, but there’s a six-hour ethics course, 10 weeks of coaching mentorship, manuals, exams, credentials, a workbook, their job board, their networking group, directory listing for six months, seals, certifications, and discounts on any other courses and classes. That’s only scratching the surface! There are twelve bonuses that come with this course, all for your benefit.
This process is similar across the board, whether it be sober coaching, sober companion certification, life coaching, or whatever you desire! The importance of having some credibility in your name is vital.
Duties and Responsibilities
You’ve done it! You’re a sober coach or a sober companion, so what’s next? Well, now that you have your job and you’re off to work, there are a few things that are expected of those in the profession.
For one, as a sober companion, you’re expected to be at least 5 years sober and clean. If you work with The Addictions Coach or related companies, you’ve got some serious credibility to your name! With that credibility comes reliability, and with reliability comes some hefty responsibilities.
Sober companions can be available as live-in, or they can accompany clients to high-risk events and situations to keep them away from their substances. Whether it be an addiction with food and body dysmorphia or alcohol, you’d have to keep your head on a swivel and hold them accountable. If you aren’t comfortable with doing at least one of these, maybe sober companionship isn’t for you, but it’s worth weighing the pros and cons at the very least.
As a coach, you’ll be thoroughly educated on the field you’ll be working in and expected to be a guide to your clients through their substance abuse issues. Following inpatient treatment, people are often vulnerable and in need of some stability. You’d be expected to help them move forward, help them mend their relationships, life build, and utilize every aspect of each course to their fullest potential.
Coaching and companionship can be key elements in anyone’s recovery, and if you feel the need to help people fend off their addictions, this is a perfect way to do that. The Addictions Academy offers some wonderful classes that can unlock your potential and open some doors into the profession. You’d be surrounded by brilliant minds that cultivate your growth and add some credibility to your name, and even if your end goal isn’t to be a lifelong companion or coach, it makes for a great resume builder! There’s no harm in giving it a go, and the benefits can do a world of good.
