Recovery Coaches: What They Do and How They Help

What is a recovery coach?

A recovery coach is a trained, non-clinical support person who helps someone set and reach goals in recovery. Coaches focus on the present and the future: what you want your life to look like, and the practical steps to get there.

SAMHSA describes peer support workers as people who have been successful in recovery and help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect and mutual empowerment, they help people stay engaged in the recovery process.

Coaches do not diagnose conditions, prescribe medicine or provide therapy. Instead, they offer encouragement, accountability and a link to the services and community that can help.

What a recovery coach does

The exact role varies by setting, but recovery coaches often help with:

• Goal setting: turning a broad wish, such as staying sober or getting back to work, into small, clear steps.
• Building a routine: planning days that support recovery. Our early recovery routine guide has ideas.
• Connecting to services: finding treatment, housing, transport, benefits, job training or childcare.
• Navigating care: explaining options such as intensive outpatient programs or sober living homes.
• Planning for hard moments: spotting relapse triggers and deciding ahead of time what to do.
• Accountability: regular check-ins that help you notice progress and keep going.
• Advocacy: helping you speak up for yourself with providers, employers or courts.

Recovery coach vs therapist vs sponsor

These roles can overlap, and many people have more than one. Here is how they usually differ:

• Therapist or counselor: a licensed clinician who can assess mental health, provide treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and explore the past and its effects.
• Sponsor: a volunteer from a 12-step group such as AA or NA who guides you through the steps based on their own experience. Sponsors are unpaid and work within one program.
• Recovery coach: a trained support person who focuses on goals and practical steps. Coaches respect many pathways, including 12-step groups, 12-step alternatives, medication for addiction treatment and faith-based recovery.

A coach is not a replacement for medical or mental health care. If you are dealing with withdrawal, depression, trauma or another health concern, a coach can help you connect with the right professional.

How recovery coaching can help

Research on peer recovery support is still growing, but studies suggest it can help people stay engaged in treatment and feel more connected. A review published by the National Library of Medicine found that peer recovery support was linked with benefits such as lower relapse rates and greater satisfaction with treatment, while noting that more rigorous studies are needed.

People often say a coach helped them with:

• Feeling understood: talking with someone who has been there can ease shame.
• Hope: seeing that recovery is possible in a real person's life.
• Momentum: keeping steps small and steady, especially in the first months.
• Transitions: support after leaving a hospital, detox or residential program, when people can feel most alone.

How to find a recovery coach

Recovery coaches work in many places. Ways to look for one include:

1. Ask your treatment provider: many programs, emergency departments and clinics have peer specialists on staff.
2. Contact a recovery community organization: these local nonprofits often offer free coaching. Faces & Voices of Recovery lists organizations across the country.
3. Call SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 is free, confidential and open 24/7, and can point you to local services.
4. Search FindTreatment.gov: FindTreatment.gov lists treatment facilities, many of which offer peer support.
5. Check your insurance: in some states, Medicaid and private plans cover peer support services. Ask your plan what is included.

Private coaches also offer paid sessions in person, by phone or by video. Fees vary widely, so ask about cost, training and any certification before you begin.

What to expect when working with a coach

Your first meeting is usually a conversation about where you are now and what you want. From there, you and your coach agree on goals and how often to meet. Sessions might be weekly at first and less often as you settle in.

Questions worth asking a coach

• Training: what training or certification do you have?
• Approach: do you support different pathways to recovery, including medication?
• Privacy: how do you keep what I share confidential?
• Boundaries: how and when can I contact you between sessions?
• Cost: is there a fee, and is it covered by insurance or a local program?

Support for families too

Some coaches work with family members who are worried about someone they love. Family recovery coaching can help loved ones set healthy boundaries and look after themselves. Our guide on how to help someone with addiction and the Resources page are good places to start.

Frequently asked questions