Written by: Bruno Vanherberghen, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
You have tried to quit on our own. Maybe that has worked to some degree. But somehow procrastination kicks in, something throws us off and we find ourselves right back where we started. An addiction recovery coach provides you with support, encouragement, and accountability as you work to overcome your addiction and build a sober life.
What does the science say?
Many people look for an accountability partners to help keep them on track. Maybe that is somebody that is going through the same struggle as themselves, a family member, a friend, an intimate partner, or somebody else. So, how effective is that?
Turns out, not so effective at all according to this study, especially compared to using a professional coach. People using a professional coach were more engaged, had the greater commitment, made more progress, and showed greater well-being compared to those using a peer such as a friend or family member.
An additional study found individual coaching significantly more effective in attaining goals and reducing procrastination compared to doing it on your own (self-coaching) or group coaching.
Overall, addiction recovery coaching is linked to increased success, motivation, and self-esteem.
What are 9 ways that an addiction recovery coach can help you?
Setting goals and working towards them – We set realistic and achievable goals to build up your own belief and self-confidence. We continually track and evaluate your progress.
Setting deadlines – This helps to stay focused and motivated to complete tasks.
Strategies to deal with triggers and urges – How to manage urges is one of the biggest keys to successfully overcome any addiction.
Provide support – Provide the encouragement and belief to help you overcome challenges and maintain motivation.
Lifestyle planning – Quitting a bad habit frees up a significant amount of time in many cases. How can we spend that time? What feelings do we want to experience more of? New hobbies, interest, and healthier, enjoyable activities.
Provide emotional support – Addiction recovery can be a difficult and emotional process and a recovery coach can provide a safe and supportive space. They will also help you navigate personal and professional relationships in your recovery.
Provide accountability – We keep you accountable to the goals we set together through regular check-ins.
Encourage self-care – Recovery is about more than just abstaining from a certain habit. We need to learn to build new, healthier systems and ways of managing, coping, and spending our time.
Receiving feedback – Feedback helps us to identify additional areas for improvement and fine tune the recovery approach.
The best time to make that change you have been thinking about is now. Don’t delay. Surround yourself with the right people to help you achieve your goals and live that life you want. Give yourself that freedom, it is an even bigger gift than you can imagine.
Bruno Vanherberghen, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Bruno is a life coach, specialized in helping people overcome their addictions and compulsive patterns. He knows how to step out of old patterns and emerge on the other side with a newfound freedom and drive for life. The ability to delay instant gratification to pursue longer term goals, follow and realize dreams and aspiration. We need to do things differently and Bruno is an expert at helping to manage personal change.
He suffered from heavy depression during his 20's at which point many of his compulsive behaviors spiraled out of control. Alcohol, drugs, porn, caffeine, sugar, gaming, food issues were some of his personal struggles. He can proudly say that the compulsion is a thing of the past.
He has coached over 700 individuals, has over 120 customer verified testimonials, an approval rating of 95% and more than 98% improve.
He has a deep personal understanding of addiction and is empathic, encouraging, caring with an occasional gentle firmness to help people realize the goals they set for themselves. His mission: to support people to realize their full potential.
