What Are the Differences Between a Sober Coach, Sponsor, and Therapist

In the recovery world, you’ll hear the terms “sober” and “recovery” used interchangeably sometimes. I’d argue they’re not the same, but that’s a discussion for a different day.

Today, let’s talk about what a sober or recovery coach is because there seems to be some confusion, especially amongst those heavily involved with AA and similar types of support groups.

What is a sponsor?

Most people have heard of Alcoholics Anonymous and along with AA, have heard of sponsors.

Sponsors are volunteers within the AA organization who mentor other folks moving toward or in sobriety. Sobriety encompasses any kind of addiction: alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, shopping, food, etc. Many of these other addictions also have support groups with sponsors for that specific addiction.

In general, a sponsor can become one once they have thoroughly completed the 12 steps within the program and have been sober for one year. According to the handbook, “There are no specific rules, but a good sponsor probably should be a year or more away from the last drink — and should seem to be enjoying sobriety.”

Sponsors are pretty heavily involved with their sponsees, playing a significant role in their lives. Many people I have spoken to about sobriety say they couldn’t have succeeded without their sponsor.

There doesn’t seem to be any organized training for sponsors, but most would say having been through the experience themselves is enough to give back.

How is a sober/recovery coach different from a sponsor?

One of the major differences between a sponsor and a coach is sponsors mostly focus on the task of staying sober and working the steps within the program.

While recovery coaches can certainly help people achieve and maintain sobriety, they also look beyond the addiction to more of a holistic approach. It’s more of an “aftercare” solution that covers the whole person: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.

Coaches help clients take action toward their goals and visions for life beyond recovery. They often provide support after treatment. Perhaps a client has been in a detox facility and needs help figuring out what to do with their life after. A coach is the perfect professional in that situation.

While a sponsor often gives advice and mentors their sponsee, the coach is more of a listener. In fact, giving advice is not something coaches do unless the client gives explicit permission to do so. Clients have all they need within themselves to more forward, and the coach’s job is to draw it out of them.

A coach helps a client move from addiction to wellness in whichever way the client deems necessary. The purpose is not to just stay away from addictive substances but to have a positive, joyful life.

So the goal is long term recovery. It’s action-oriented and empowers the client.

A strong recovery coach should be certified through a legitimate program and have experience coaching in the substance abuse field.

Recovery coaches are considered non-clinical, as they do not have to go through licensing or years of education like a counselor does. However, they are professionals who are paid for their work just as a life, business, or wellness coach is. To remain certified, they must complete continuing education programs.

How are coaches and therapists/counselors different?

So then the question is how are coaches and counselors different?

The biggest difference, in super simplified terms, is coaches look to the future while counselors often look to the past.

Again, that’s a very simplified description but an important one. Coaches are not therapists and should never act as such. A counselor or therapist is trained to dig into the past of a client and reveal trauma or issues that may be affecting their present. They’re also trained with support all kinds of personality disorders and things of that nature while coaches are not.

Coaches are exactly what most people think of when they hear the word “coach”. Just like a sports coach, the goal is to work on improving and empowering the client by drawing on the client’s strengths, values, and desires for growth. If a coach sees that past issues are interfering with the client’s ability to move forward, the coach would refer the client to a counselor.

Which one do I need?

Which type of support you need will be based on where you’re at in your journey, what you want to work on, and other factors.

Some people have all three! A sponsor, recovery coach, and counselor!

There’s no right or wrong answer here. Each type of support offers completely unique services. When you’re first trying to get sober, a sponsor and counselor may be the best choice. Once you’re a little way into your recovery, you may seek out a coach to figure out what’s next while keeping your counselor to work through some of the harder parts of your past.

It’s also important to find people who you connect with well. Regardless of which support you choose, find someone you gel with for the best results. If one coach or counselor or sponsor doesn’t fit, don’t give up. Try again.

The key is to have support. We all need help at different times in our lives, and “help” can look different based on where we’re at. We’re not meant to do any part of life alone, especially something as difficult as crushing an addiction!