Tommy Recovery Coaching

The Distinction between Sober Coaches & Sponsors

When Hollywood star Ben Affleck attended the 2017 Oscars to see his production Manchester by the Sea win multiple awards, he had a sober lifestyle coach by his side. The actor was 44 years old at the time, and he posted a Facebook update a few weeks later to address tabloid speculation about who was next to him at the ceremony. 

Affleck had been photographed a few months before next to a woman who was also a sober coach, but he hadn’t mentioned his long struggle with alcoholism then. In the Facebook post, Affleck thanked his coach for helping him prepare for the busy agenda he had coming up, which included the acclaimed films The Way Back and The Last Duel. Although there’s a chance Affleck could have invited a sponsor instead of a sober coach to the Oscars, there’s a substantial difference between these two roles.

Sponsors Are Part of Recovery Programs

The concept of sponsorship in recovery was introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous before World War II. Sponsors are AA advocates who have completed the 12 Steps of the program. They’re alcoholics who have made it far in their journeys to recovery, and they kindly volunteer to be mentors or guides to newcomers. 

This AA principle falls under service to the community, and it’s a noble endeavor that provides practical continuity to a program many sociologists characterize as the most important development of the 20th century. Other peer-based recovery programs such as Narcotics Anonymous also feature similar principles of service.

Sober Lifestyle Coaches Are Part of Personal Recovery

Sober coaches are life coaches who specialize in addiction recovery. These mental health professionals are retained by individuals for two main reasons: to guide them through the recovery process and help them achieve milestones that are conducive to sobriety. 

While many people who fall into substance abuse can start to recover on their own without the help of an interventionist, Encinitas addicts can get a great deal of benefit from working with experienced sober coaches. The personalized recovery plans sober coaches design often follow some or all of the 12 Steps, but there’s a deeper aspect that involves restoring balance to clients’ lives on spiritual, emotional, practical, and professional levels.

Sponsors Draw from Experience, Sober Coaches Draw from Experience & Expertise

The qualifications of sponsors are based on the AA Big Book and the teachings of the 12 Steps. They’re developed through attending meetings, getting their chips, learning from other sponsors, and bonding with their peers. 

Many sober coaches have gone through the 12 Steps or recovered from addictions through other programs. Plus, they’ve received formal training and certification in addiction recovery and related fields. The fees associated with sober lifestyle coaching go toward the formulation and execution of tailored strategies and interventions based on individual needs, such as mental health counseling and life coaching.

Sober Coaches Are There When You Need Them

The profile of sober lifestyle coaching has been elevated since Affleck appeared next to his coach at the Oscars. Other Hollywood celebrities are opening up about their experiences with sober coaches, and some of them even introduce them to paparazzi. This visibility is expected. It’s not unusual for sober coaches to be next to their clients during crucial times that may not always be ritzy awards ceremonies. They can be at the DMV office when you get your license after a DUI, attend graduation, accompany you to court hearings, meet with you after a job interview, and many other situations you may have struggled with because of addiction.

For strength-based support with sober recovery, Encinitas residents should reach out to the trained recovery coaches at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. Our goal is to offer our clients maximum recovery support, especially in the first fragile days or weeks of early recovery. If you’re looking for extra addiction recovery support so you don’t risk relapse when you head into the danger zones, we’ll work with you to put together a game plan to keep you safe and sober as you accomplish your goals. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.