Why Only 10% of Sober Coaches Are Actually Qualified

You read that title right. Only 10% of sober coaches are qualified to do their jobs. Now, you may be bewildered or confused, left with only one question: “Why?” Well, the answer to that starts pretty simple but becomes surprisingly complex when you really get into it.

Let’s start with the simple answer; “Why aren’t 90% of sober coaches qualified?” Well, it’s because you don’t need to be “qualified” to become a sober coach. Specifically, the qualifications vary from organization to organization, with some requiring at the very least a high school diploma or GED, even fewer requiring certification in the field, and almost none actually requiring a psychology degree.

This isn’t to say a psychology degree automatically equates to a perfect sober coach by any means. In fact, it can be easy to argue that the perfect sober coach can be made through the certification process. So, when the question of “how many sober coaches are actually qualified?” is asked, it depends on the person you ask, but a certified coach can certainly fall under that category.

The process of becoming certified as a recovery coach requires some serious elbow grease and determination on the part of the coach themselves. You’ve got to take an intensive course on the subject to be 100% certified and while there are a huge number of places where one can go about doing so, it can usually get expensive if you’re not careful. The course teaches you the ins and outs of sober coaching as well. Each style, the expected defense mechanisms, action planning, coping skills, goal setting, everything! These courses teach you everything you need to know about the subject.

One of the more cost-effective and overall reliable options within the sphere is Cali Estes’ Addiction Academy. Her course offers all exams, credentials, a directory listing, and eligibility to join the Addictions Coach and Academy team, all for a price that’s a fraction of its value. I didn’t even list all of the content within the course itself! If you were to take another course with the same amount of content elsewhere, it could cost an arm and a leg. Becoming a certified coach is no joke!

Heck, this can span even beyond sober coaching itself. That certification process may also apply to sober companions, life coaches, intervention professionals – the list goes on. It’s often just a matter of applying credibility and trust to your name. If you were to go to Google and search “Sober Companion Los Angeles” or “Sober Companion NYC”, or, if we were to stay on this subject, “Sober Coach Los Angeles”, you may be bombarded by names as you scroll through. However, you can consistently find that the difference between that highly coveted five-star rating and a low one is that certified label (NCRC & NCRCII).

So, in summary, if your sober coach is certified, you can rest assured that they’re passionate about their job. You may then ask “well, isn’t every sober coach certified? It’s their job!” While we could hope this would be the case, there aren’t many organizations that require certification to become a sober coach. Some underestimate the intricacies of the profession and jump right in, others may purposefully avoid certification due to a perceived lack of need and hide it maliciously, and some organizations turn the other way in accepting these individuals. This isn’t to point fingers, but it is a sign that any potential client searching for their potential sober coach should be incredibly careful with where they look.

While it may help to seek out individual qualified sober coaches on your own, this process may be time-consuming, risky, and stressful. It helps more to reach out to organizations that can guarantee that each and every one of the coaches under their umbrella is qualified.

Only 10% of Sober Coaches Are Actually Qualified

Take Sober on Demand for example. Not only are they directly linked to a certification process through the Addictions Academy (which ensures a consistent database of certified coaches and companions), but it’s a necessity that you be certified to work there. They have specialists, certified coaches, trained psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscience experts and so many more. In other words, no matter your definition of “qualified”, Sober On Demand can provide.

Cali Estes, the founder of Sober on Demand and Addictions Academy, also has another service – The Addictions Coach – for more specialized care with the same guarantees in certified teams. Quite honestly if you were to search for a qualified anything related to the addictions field, it’d be a great idea to search her name first and see what you can find!

Similarly, if you’re a sober coach in the making and eager to add some reliability to your name, or just curious about the process by any means, The Addictions Academy is a great way to get your foot in the door. Training, certifications, and treatment centers are easily viewable on their website and easy to comprehend.

Now before we go, it’s best to keep in mind that when it comes to searching for a qualified coach there are some red flags you should always keep an eye out for. One, if they don’t list any credentials on their profile or listing, that may be a red flag. There’s always a chance that they are indeed certified and chose not to include them publicly, but for anyone new to searching, it’s best to stick with more obviously qualified individuals.

Secondly, beware of any coaches that make grand promises. For example, while Cali Estes is indeed a certified counselor, life coach, and addictions coach, she very clearly states that sober coaching is not a replacement for therapy. If a listing were to imply that it could guarantee therapeutic effects or anything else that may seem too good to be true, that might be because it is.

Finally, make sure that your sober coach, even if certified, is someone with some experience in dealing with similar issues. Experience is priceless in the field, and whether it be in dealing with the issue themselves or having had a client with it in the past, it can provide some much-needed insight into the issue.