Substance Abuse Coaching

Do you consider yourself a gray area drinker but worry that your habit is getting out of control? Have you gone through recovery for alcoholism or drug addiction and finally gotten sober only to turn to other unhealthy coping mechanisms?

Perhaps you are leaving a substance abuse treatment center and worry about how you will fare in the real world without that support. Or maybe you’re a family member or spouse of someone who is struggling with substance use, and the social isolation, shame, and powerlessness are becoming unbearable.

Overcoming addiction or substance use disorders can be an uphill battle. The binge drinking and blackouts leave you unable to focus at work, take care of the kids, or remember what you did the night before. You may be distracting yourself with porn, sexting, or extramarital affairs that threaten your career or marriage.

If you have gone through treatment, the lack of community and definitive boundaries can make sobriety a challenge in the face of real-life stressors. And if you have a loved one who is dealing with addiction, they may have become so adept at framing themselves as the victim that you end up blaming yourself for their problems.

Substance abuse and drug addiction can have a detrimental impact on every area of your life. But you can take control. With my help, you can learn to value yourself, be present and connected with your family, and feel safe in the world so you no longer have to turn to drugs or alcohol.

Substance Abuse Problems Can Affect Anyone—Without Discrimination

Substance use disorders are extremely prevalent, often involving very understandable factors that explain why so many individuals turn to drugs and alcohol. In one study, two-thirds of people in substance abuse treatment programs reported that they had experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as a child. And most of those cases involved substance abuse by caregivers.* Moreover, 1 in 5 Americans has lived with an alcoholic adult at some point in their lives.**

Then there are the hidden social forces that make us feel like we are never good enough: Facebook, Instagram, and even LinkedIn. Filled with smiling, happy people putting their best foot forward, social media contributes to the false notion that life can be perfect—and if it’s not, then there is something wrong with us.

Add to that the extreme polarization of our country. Now more than ever, people are entrenched in some sort of camp, be it political, cultural, or personal. All of this fear and shame and isolation drive people to feel like they need to numb and escape.

However, the power of healing and overcoming addiction lies in community, which is why group counseling and substance abuse programs can be so effective. But outside of that bubble and without continued support, it’s easy to slip back into medicating intolerable emotions, fears of rejection, and issues of self-worth.

In our modern age of self-sufficiency, it can be daunting to reach out for support. However, you do not have to do this alone. With my help, you can free yourself from the yoke of drug and alcohol addiction and discover the person you were meant to be.

Substance Abuse Coaching Offers Empathetic Support And Real Accountability

If you are recovering, transitioning out of a treatment center, or still struggling with substance abuse problems, coaching is a powerful alternative to traditional drug and alcohol counseling. It offers you the same level of structure, accountability, and community that can keep you on the road to sobriety. But unlike counseling, coaching is less formal—and more flexible in that it enables you to reach out for help in the same way you would reach out to a sponsor in a time of need.

And because families and partners often suffer in silence, coaching teaches you the importance of self-care and gives you permission to detach yourself from the addict in a healthy way. It can help you learn how to set healthy boundaries, resolve conflict, and in the process, rebuild a trusting relationship with your loved one.

For those who are still struggling with substance abuse issues, I want to emphasize that I have been where you are, and therefore, I will absolutely pass no judgment. I just want to help you become the best you possible. We’ll start with some motivational interviewing—essentially talk therapy—to identify any issues underlying your addiction. To that end, we’ll explore both your past and present relationships—looking at how they have affected or shaped you—and perhaps rewrite some of that history.

At the same time, I want to help you build recovery capital—that is, internal and external resources that you can draw upon to charge your resilience amid stressors. That may include setting your own boundaries and learning healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with anger, resentment, stress, or shame so you don’t have to turn to drugs or alcohol. And because withdrawal can be both physically and mentally challenging, I make myself available for phone calls—even if it’s outside of office hours—to help you get through the rough patches.

For families, spouses, and partners, there can be many blind spots when it comes to addiction and alcohol dependency. We’ll look at the drama triangle of persecutor, victim, and rescuer and explore ways in which those roles or interactions may be complicating your situation. Also I will help you gain a better perspective of what your loved one is going through. But above all, I want you to understand that you did not cause this, you cannot control it, and you are not responsible for curing the person you love.

Whether you are in recovery or seeking support as a loved one, I know from personal experience just how difficult it can be to change unhealthy behavior patterns, but it can be done. Together, we will cultivate a healthy sense of community, whether through family, friends, support groups, or social engagement, that will help keep you on track toward long-term recovery. And for those who are not a fan of the 12-step program, coaching is an extremely effective alternative as I can tailor your program to meet your unique needs.

Perhaps you are considering substance abuse coaching but have some concerns…

I don’t think anyone can understand what I am going through.

That’s exactly how I felt when I started recovery. And I hear this from so many family members and partners. The impact of drugs and alcohol is different for everyone, but the effects—whether on family members or the addict—are similar. I’ve been there and I know that alcohol and addiction support groups are always packed—and for good reason. Let me help you step out of your comfort zone, discover the power of community, and enjoy a life free from addiction and the family chaos it causes.

Substance abuse treatment at a treatment center is all the help I need.

A few weeks or a month of treatment—though a great start—isn’t going to be enough to course-correct a lifetime of unhealthy behaviors. It’s taken a long time for your substance use disorder to get to this point, and it will take time for you to overcome it. Treatment centers are naturally insulative, but to achieve long-term change, you may need continued support for dealing with the stressors of the real world. I can be that shoulder to lean on while working with you and holding you accountable for maintaining your sobriety.

Do I need substance abuse coaching even if I don’t have a drinking problem?

The truth is, gray-area drinkers and “casual” drug users often feel like they have everything under control. However, if you are even considering seeking the help of a professional, your substance use, most likely, has already affected your loved ones, your job performance, and possibly your health.

It’s only when you are able to get some distance between you and old behaviors that you can see the impact. So getting help now safeguards your best interests and allows you to enjoy a healthy relationship with alcohol in the future, whether that is complete abstinence or occasional use.

Let Me Help You Lift The Yoke Of Addiction

I know from my personal experience with alcohol misuse and recovery just how difficult it can be to believe that things can change. But as a coach, a 12-step sponsor, and a retreat speaker and facilitator, I have seen people truly heal and reclaim their lives. Since 2008, I have been helping individuals and families repair their relationships and recover from addiction.

If you are ready to begin your journey toward healing, click below to schedule a free 60-minute connection call with me or submit a form on the Contact page.

*https://www.bhpalmbeach.com/recovery-articles/impact-substance-abuse-and-addiction-families/

**https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-Of-Alcoholics-017.aspx

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