Success of recovery coaching relies on proper training, integration
By Wendy Kent
Every day, people struggle as they take those first tentative steps in their recovery, trying to understand what they are experiencing and uncertain of where to begin. Others may be in the emergency room after having suffered an overdose, feeling anxious and sick, questioning their ability to stop their use, or whether they are even ready to stop.
Recovery coaching, one of the newer resources available to individuals with substance use disorders, can provide valuable support in either of these scenarios. The role of the recovery coach is to make personal connections and join with the person, provide advocacy, offer support and guidance, and help identify and access needed services, including harm reduction, detox, formal treatment or any other adjunct service that would promote recovery. They do not provide treatment and do not subscribe to any particular approach to recovery. They will work with people ready to begin the difficult journey of recovery, those who have already begun the recovery process and with those who are ambivalent about stopping their use.
The treatment provider network is recognizing and embracing the benefits provided by recovery coaches within their service system. At present, hospitals, residential programs, health care specialists and behavioral health providers are hiring recovery coaches to work in their programs, a trend that will have a positive impact as we continue to grapple with the opioid crisis. While there are numerous benefits of recovery coaching, this service also presents some challenges that require attention.
Currently, there is not widespread understanding of what skills and qualities to look for in a potential coach, how best to utilize them within services, and how to effectively integrate this nonclinical service into a clinical services setting. In addition, just as clinical staff need ongoing training, recovery coaches also require access to continuing education to develop their skills. For certified coaches, however, ongoing education and training is still somewhat limited.
Further, recovery coaches have unique, nonclinical supervision needs. While it is not a prerequisite, most coaches are in long-term recovery themselves and need to have well established supports and selfcare systems in place. Too often, people who are in the early weeks of recovery, eager to give back and help others, attend certification programs and attempt to find employment as a recovery coach without a strong enough recovery foundation of their own.
It is critical for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to address these issues and challenges. Ongoing training and certification of coaches is essential to the long-term success of this level of care. It is well known that people with substance use disorders have a broad range of service needs, including those related to mental health and primary health care, legal problems, housing, and vocational challenges. A recovery coach needs to be adequately and continuously trained to understand the many barriers that people they are supporting face, while also understanding the limitations inherent in their role and knowing when and where to access outside resources.
Of equal importance is that the provider community needs to be trained to understand the role and limitations of recovery coaches and to develop clear guidelines and standards for hiring and supervision that will work within their programs and ensure adequate support for coaches. Despite widespread hiring, regulations and expectations are still not fully developed. Recovery coaches are a valuable asset in clinical settings but are most effective when their nonclinical role is fully understood and proper supervision and support is provided to ensure they are maintaining an appropriate level of selfcare and personal boundaries.
To meet these goals, the Commonwealth needs to solicit input from all levels of care, including treatment providers, experienced recovery coaches and representatives of the recovering community to develop clear guidelines related to training, supervision, hiring and service integration. Only then will people with substance use disorders obtain maximum benefits from the broad range of services available to them, including those associated with recovery coaching. Simultaneously our treatment system needs to take the necessary steps to ensure a willingness and readiness to properly understand and incorporate recovery coaching into services.
Wendy Kent is the Director of Behavioral Health and Prevention Programs at Bridgewell.
This article was originally published in the Provider Newsletter
