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What If I Don’t Like My Recovery Coach?

Someone who supports you and encourages you after you’ve completed your addiction treatment program can make a huge difference in your recovery success. A recovery coach can guide you through making better life choices, promoting positive change in your life as you deal with your addiction. You may be wondering what to do, though, if after a few meetings you’ve decided you don’t like your recovery coach.

The Role of Your Recovery Coach

A coach walks with you in your journey toward recovery from a substance use disorder. They will help you create your recovery plan and develop an appropriate pathway toward reaching your goals. A recovery coach can offer many types of support, depending on what you may need.

Emotional support involves the coach showing empathy and concern for your situation and your challenges. Informational support can help connect you to the information and community resources you may need for your continued health and well-being. Instrumental support guides to the practical resources you’ll need in recovery, such as housing or employment. Affiliational support can connect you to further support and activities in your community that will benefit your recovery.

Focusing on the Long Term

Working with you as an individual, the recovery coach can customize these support services, building on your specific needs, strengths, and recovery goals. The coach will help you develop a plan that is focused on your long-term recovery. It’s important to remember that the assistance the recovery coach provides you is deeply rooted in a culture of health, hope, and well-being.

The unique relationship you develop with a recovery coach is grounded in trust. Your coach will focus on more than the symptoms you may have experienced in your addiction, with a goal of providing you with the resources, tools, and support you need to achieve long-term recovery success.

When There Are Conflicts

Part of your addiction treatment involved learning how to develop healthy relationships once again. When you were using drugs or alcohol, your relationships with family members and friends may have deteriorated. You may have struggled with being able to communicate effectively with anyone who was not in your circle of acquaintances who were also using the substances.

In recovery, you are dealing with a range of emotions and part of that challenge can come out as conflict in the new relationships you are trying to develop. That can also affect your relationship with your recovery coach. It’s critical that you learn the constructive techniques involved in sober conflict resolution as well as ways to communicate your needs and boundaries appropriately.

If you are sensing that there may be a conflict between yourself and your recovery coach, take the time to step back and assess the situation objectively. Is there a fundamental difference in your goals and styles? Or, is it your addiction that is still preventing you from developing a close relationship with someone who is sincerely trying to help you?

Separating Your Emotions

After all you’ve been through, you might still be challenged with separating your anger and frustration from other emotions you may be feeling. Anger is a difficult emotion to deal with, particularly when you have a substance abuse issue. Although it is natural to become frustrated and sometimes even angry with your situation or with someone in your life, maintaining your recovery depends on your ability to manage these emotions.

When you think that you’ve reached a point where you don’t like your recovery coach, look introspectively into why you are feeling this way. Is there a real conflict between the two of you or is it the addiction that is interfering with your healing process?

Communication is Key

Your recovery coach is trying to help you work through a plan to succeed. Have you communicated your feelings and needs openly and honestly? Have you discussed boundaries for your relationship? Your coach needs to know your values and your goals as they work toward helping you achieve a sober life in the long term. Communication is a key piece of conflict resolution. Remain calm and talk to your recovery coach about what you are feeling.

Of course, if there truly is a misalignment between you and your coach, you can change coaches. Try a direct discussion first, showing respect for the work your coach is doing with you, so that each of you can learn more about the other’s style and needs and so you can build confidence in your relationship.

WRS Coaches Promote Positive Change

At Whitman Recovery Services, our recovery coaches work with you in recovery, helping you gain a better understanding of how your addiction is playing a key role in your daily life. We help you learn how to make better life choices in your relationships, your career, and your lifestyle. Our goal is to promote positive change in your life so you can avoid relapse and move forward with a successful recovery from your addiction. Please call (210) 291-0278 if you are struggling with addiction or mental illness. Our team has the expertise to help you begin the journey of recovery.