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Five Ways Working With A Recovery Coach Can Be Helpful

  • Wes Arnett
  • Jul 7
  • 6 min read

July 14, 2025

Wes Arnett, Author & Category Manager of Recovery Coaching, Recovery.com  

Tom O’Connor, Editor & Publisher



Author Wes Arnett outlines Five Ways Working with a Recovery Coach Can Be Helpful

Wes is the Category Manager of Recovery Coaching at Recovery.com. He is a Wisconsin State Certified Peer Support Specialist, a Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist, and a CCAR Recovery Coach Professional and Facilitator. He shares that he is in recovery from substance use disorder and mental health challenges and is passionate about offering hope and inspiration to those in recovery or exploring recovery. He supports multiple pathways of recovery as he walks alongside his peers and advocates for a profession that profoundly impacts individuals in our community. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his four children.


Recovery.com has built a trusted, global platform that helps people find the right treatment center for their specific needs. They assembled an independent research team that continuously gathers and evaluates data to compile an unbiased and thorough list of the best mental health treatment centers for you or your loved one.



Wes Arnett's Life Story:


My alcohol misuse had gone on for well over a decade, and the negative consequences were a mountain a mile high. Ultimately, it was the threat of losing what mattered most to me, my four children, that served as the wake-up call I needed to make recovery a priority and address underlying historical trauma and mental health challenges. 


It has taken years of professional help and personal reflection to unpack and understand some of the factors that led me into the depths of my addiction. For me, alcohol was a coping mechanism, a numbing agent. I think, for many people, alcohol abuse serves a similar purpose. I am not saying that’s right or wrong, I am just stating my truth. 


Gas on My Fire


The untimely death of my father and the unresolved conflict between us was gas on my fire. The stress of being a sole business owner with thirty-four employees was overwhelming. Being in an abusive, controlling, and loveless marriage was gas on my fire. Four children under the age of five, when getting a business off the ground and running, in addition to being the sole income provider for my family, was gas on my fire. 


These are not excuses; they are just a few of my truths. I sought refuge in a bottle. Two or three bottles a night, and then the grips of addiction and dependency took over. 


I tried almost every recovery pathway presented to me, eventually settling on complete abstinence from any mind or mood-altering substances as the pathway best suited for me and my goals. My recovery team has consisted of a therapist, a psychiatrist, and an AODA counselor. I attended numerous IOPs, relapse prevention groups, and various kinds of support groups. I went to AA, Smart, and Dharma, to name a few. In-person or virtually, I went to both. 


Like most people, my recovery journey was not a straight line. It zigged, it zagged, it dipped, and it soared. However, that journey was a process I had to go through; I had to own it and put in the work. 


Life Moving Forward


As of today, I am five and a half years abstinent, and I am living a joyful life in recovery. With that said, life can be hard. Heck, it can't be; it is. 


The challenges for me in recovery have shifted, and it is when the hard times come that I have to lean into the recovery capital I have spent years accumulating. Several years ago, I sold the business I had spent almost two decades building. What should have been a joyous time, two months later, turned into one of the most traumatic events in my life.


Being wrongfully accused of things by two disgruntled former employees, despite timesheet records that prove they could not have happened. It was a media storm like I could never have imagined, nor would I wish upon my worst enemy. 



Death threats, police stationed outside my house. My children are receiving threats at school. And all because none of the allegations were investigated before charges were filed, and the media was primarily interested in a buzz story rather than the truth of the story. 


I was not spoken to a single time by anyone, the police detective or the DA before charges were filed. Subsequently, all charges were dropped, but the effects this experience had on me were tremendous. I mention this because, through this experience, the one thing that didn’t waver was my recovery. My recovery strengthened. However, I did have to rely on all the recovery tools I had learned over the previous years, as well as the support network I had built up. 


One Step In My Recovery Journey Needs Change


I’ve been asked if there was anything I would change about my recovery journey, and there is, in fact, one thing. One thing I wish I had was a recovery coach as part of my care team. Back when I was beginning my recovery journey, I had no idea that recovery coaches existed. That there were individuals with lived experiences similar to mine, and they were willing to support me. Today, I am privileged to have the opportunity to serve as a recovery coach, offering hope and support to those who share similar life experiences. 


Navigate Your Recovery Journey


As you navigate the challenges of your recovery journey, having a recovery coach can be a significant help. A certified recovery coach is a trained professional who offers support, encouragement, and guidance to people recovering from substance use disorder. Here are five ways a recovery coach can help you during your recovery.


1. Personalized Support and Guidance

A Customized Approach: Recovery coaches work with you to create a personalized recovery plan that fits your specific needs and goals. They understand that everyone’s path to recovery is different, and so are their challenges. Coaches provide customized support, adjusting their approach to match your goals and situation. They believe you often know what works best for you and support you in following the path you choose for your recovery.


2. Enhanced Accountability

Regular Check-Ins: Recovery coaches typically schedule regular check-ins to maintain your connection to reliable support. These check-ins help track your progress and, if you choose, hold you accountable for your goals. They also give you time to celebrate your achievements, talk about any challenges you’re facing, and prepare for upcoming obstacles. You get to decide how often the check-ins happen and how they take place—whether in person, virtually, through phone calls, or even texts. It’s all up to you.


3. Improved Coping Skills and Relapse Prevention

Relapse Prevention: A key role of a recovery coach is to help individuals prevent relapse. According to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40-60% of people in addiction recovery experience relapse. Because of this, having effective strategies to manage relapse is essential. A recovery coach can help you identify triggers and create coping strategies. They work with you to recognize early warning signs of relapse and take steps to stay on track with your sobriety if that is your goal.


Stress Management Techniques: Recovery coaches can help you explore various ways to manage stress. For many people, stress is a trigger and can lead to cravings, so learning how to manage it is essential.


Problem-Solving and Boundary-Setting Skills: Recovery coaches can also help you build problem-solving skills to overcome challenges and reduce the chances of relapse. Setting boundaries is another key part of recovery. Boundaries allow you to define what you will and won’t accept in your life. Learning to set healthy boundaries can empower you to focus on your needs and protect your well-being.


4. Increased Access to Resources


Connecting with Support Networks: Recovery coaches are familiar with many resources, including local and online support groups, harm reduction programs, treatment options, and other community services that can support your recovery.


Navigating the System: They can also help you navigate the often complicated healthcare system to access the services and support you need.


5. Reduced Isolation and Increased Social Connection


Building Relationships: Recovery coaches can help you develop healthy relationships with others in recovery, which can strengthen your support network and increase your “recovery capital” or available resources.


Community Engagement: They can connect you with community activities and volunteer opportunities, helping you feel a sense of belonging and purpose.

Working with a recovery coach can offer numerous benefits and make a significant positive difference in your journey toward lasting recovery and overall well-being. If any of these options sparked your interest, consider exploring the possibility of working with a coach to support your recovery journey.


Wes Arnett earned a BS in Zoology and Chemistry from Humboldt State University and a DVM from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a WI-certified Peer and Parent Support Specialist and a CCAR Recovery Coach Professional


For more articles by Wes Arnett, please visit https://recovery.com/author/wes-arnett/.


You can also email Wes Arnett at https://www.wesarnett.com/



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