What is a Recovery Coach?

• A recovery coach is a non-clinical support professional who helps individuals navigate and sustain addiction recovery through mentorship, goal-setting, and accountability.

• Offers encouragement and nonjudgmental support. Assists with relapse prevention strategies

• Connects clients to resources (e.g., support groups, housing, jobs) 

• Keeps clients focused and motivated. Serves as a accountability partner Whole-Life Focus – Supports rebuilding life, not just quitting substances

• Key Difference from a Therapist: Recovery coaches are not clinicians—they don’t diagnose or treat mental health issues, but they provide essential real-life support and mentorship.

Recovery from addiction is not a one-size-fits-all journey. For many people, it’s a long-term process filled with ups, downs, and unexpected challenges. While clinical treatment and support groups play essential roles, there's another powerful ally in the recovery process: the recovery coach.

A recovery coach is a trained professional who helps individuals struggling with addiction navigate their personal path to recovery. Unlike therapists or counselors, recovery coaches do not provide clinical treatment or mental health diagnoses. Instead, they act as mentors, motivators, advocates, and accountability partners, supporting people through the day-to-day challenges of rebuilding a life in recovery.

Recovery coaches work with people in all stages of recovery—whether someone is just beginning to consider sobriety or has been clean for years and wants help staying on track. Coaches may have personal experience with addiction and recovery themselves, or they may be professionally trained allies with a deep understanding of the recovery process.

What Does a Recovery Coach Do?

Recovery coaches help their clients:

• Set meaningful goals and create action plans for achieving them.

• Identify barriers to recovery and develop strategies to overcome them.

• Stay motivated and focused on personal growth and wellness.

• Build healthy habits and routines that support long-term sobriety.

• Connect to resources like 12-step meetings, therapy, housing, employment, or education.

• Avoid relapse by creating prevention strategies and offering consistent support.

  
  

Why Is It Good to Have a Recovery Coach?

1. Personalized Support

   A recovery coach tailors their approach to each person’s unique situation. They don’t judge or diagnose—they listen, encourage, and walk alongside the person in recovery, offering real-life guidance.

2. Non-Clinical and Peer-Based

   Many recovery coaches are peers who’ve been through addiction themselves. That lived experience brings relatability, trust, and hope, which can be incredibly powerful for someone who feels alone or misunderstood.

3. Accountability Without Judgment

   Having someone check in regularly—someone who truly wants to see you succeed—can be a strong motivator. Recovery coaches help people stay honest about their struggles while providing encouragement without shame.

4. Support Beyond Sobriety

   Sobriety is only one part of recovery. Recovery coaches help clients rebuild their lives—emotionally, socially, financially, and professionally. They focus on long-term wellness, not just abstinence.

5. A Bridge Between Services

   Coaches can help coordinate care and connect clients with therapists, doctors, housing programs, job training, and more. They often serve as the glue that holds together various parts of a recovery plan.

Recovery can be overwhelming, but no one has to do it alone. A recovery coach offers hope, guidance, and strength at every step of the journey. Whether you're new to recovery or have years of sobriety under your belt, having a recovery coach can make the path forward clearer, steadier, and more empowered. Here at Save A Life we have recovery coaches who are ready to step in and help you. Please reach out to us if you would like to have a recovery coach!

SAVE A LIFE LOCATION: 19 VFW Street, Lincoln Maine. Phone: 207-403-9100

If you would like to donate there are several ways to do so: 

Venmo: @salrecovery 

Paypal: director@salrecovery.org 

checks can be mailed to:

Save A Life Recovery Resource Center P.O. Box 12, Lincoln, ME 04457.