Competing with Birmingham for the “second city of the UK” title, Manchester is thriving in many ways. However, just like the rest of the country, it cannot escape the enormous drugs problem.
Fortunately, sobriety is slowly but surely becoming more normalised in Manchester, and a whole host of services have opened to aid those with a risk of relapse.
Sober coaches in Manchester meet with people at various points of recovery to provide a consistent level of sobriety support, through therapy techniques, honest conversations, and practical help.
Looking for a deep dive into sober coaching? Our advisors are available on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international).
Maintaining sobriety is exceptionally difficult without formal support, and that’s where sober coaches Manchester come in.
Also known as sober champions, these qualified coaches lead people through the many stages of addiction recovery, helping them develop techniques to stay sober along the way. Key aspects of sober coaching include:
Most sober coaches in Manchester have dealt with substance misuse themselves, which means they readily empathise with clients and can provide guidance from a place of total understanding.
That being said, there is no requirement for sober coaches to have lived with addiction.
With widespread recovery services from self-help groups to residential rehab facilities, why does Manchester need sober coaching?
Just because there is ample opportunity for people to get sober doesn’t mean they can do so easily. The more support that is available, the more likely it is that individuals can stick to long-term sobriety.
What’s more, there are elements of sober coaching that work well for certain clients, and cannot be replicated in other settings, such as the privacy and comfort factor that comes with 1:1 coaching sessions built around your life.
When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, their environment is often a trigger that is holding them back.
By meeting with a sober coach frequently, they can adjust their environment to reduce temptation and increase motivation, resilience, and empowerment, which helps avoid relapse.
Finally, not everyone attends rehab in the area where they live. For reasons such as privacy and craving a fresh start, there are many Manchester residents who arrive back home after starting their recovery in a different town/city.
Getting sober coaching in Manchester means they can associate their hometown with sobriety, instead of feeling as though they can leave their sobriety at rehab.
No, sober coaching is a formal addiction recovery service.
Confusion can arise when we look at the set-up of sober coaching. Sometimes, through open discussions and regular meet-ups, sober coaching sessions feel informal.
However, this doesn’t mean having a coach is the same as spending time with a friend.
Coaches are highly trained to deal with addiction, and they apply their expertise to each session, building structured plans and envisioning what long-term sobriety would look like for each and every client.
The only time that sober coaching would be informal is if a client has chosen an unregulated coach, which is not advisable.
Potential risks such as safeguarding issues, confidentiality breaches and poor boundaries are much more likely to occur when the coach doesn’t follow a set of standards.
There is not just one answer to this question. Sober coaching can take place at any stage of the recovery journey, but it’s worth considering when coaching would be the most effective for you personally.
Common times to get a sober coach:
In terms of the duration of sober coaching, this is another personal matter. Professional coaches will work with you to determine how long you need coaching for, which can be flexible as you work your way through the sessions.
Families can certainly be involved in sober coaching in Manchester. Often, a family member is the first person to reach out to a sober coach, to help their loved one feel supported.
While client consent is always needed in these situations, many individuals find themselves expressing deep gratitude for their families for taking the first step in reaching out to a sober champion.
It must be acknowledged that some people feel far from grateful for this, particularly if they are early in their recovery journey and may be in denial.
This is something families should keep in mind. However, it shouldn’t stop loved ones from simply making a suggestion of coaching, with the hope that it could change the individual’s life.
When families are involved with sober coaching, boundaries must be respected.
Unfortunately, loved ones sometimes violate boundaries by forcing their family member into coaching, being present when privacy is desired, or attempting to share information with the coach.
Any reliable coach will address this immediately, teach boundaries, and ensure the client has a safe space to share their feelings.
On the other hand, clients who would prefer their family’s involvement in coaching can invite loved ones into their journey.
It’s possible for family coaching sessions to be arranged, which helps each individual to understand one another’s needs and learn how to love someone with addiction without enabling them.
Think of sober coaching like therapy: generally, it’s an extremely useful practice that can transform lives.
However, we all respond differently to different techniques, styles, and approaches, meaning it isn’t successful for every single person the first time around.
There are also certain factors that can make sober coaching dangerous for the client.
If their addiction is very severe, they are using very frequently, they are experiencing extreme mental health issues, or they have major withdrawal symptoms, the priority should be immediate long-term care, such as inpatient rehab.
Overall, the vast majority of clients benefit from sober coaching. Amongst its many advantages, its emphasis on self-care prevents relapse.
Poor self-care has been cited as the “common denominator of emotional relapse”, which often leads to physical relapse, so working on self-care helps clients feel comfortable and safe enough to get through each day without substances.
Yes, there are plenty of sober coaches or sober champions who can help you to transition into coaching as smoothly as possible.
Due to the drugs problem in the city, it isn’t tricky to find a trustworthy sober coach no matter where you’re based.
However, availability varies by needs and urgency, so keep this in mind when enquiring about sober coaching services in Central Manchester, Cheetham Hill, Moss Side, Wythenshawe, Sale, Didsbury, Stalybridge, or anywhere else within Manchester.
For those who prefer to meet online, many sober coaches offer remote services.
Is it emotionally easy to get sober coaching? Usually not. Yet, the same could be said about any recovery service; recovery takes a great deal of effort, but it’s always worth it.
We are no strangers to drug and alcohol addiction. When you get in touch with us, we are proud to offer a judgement-free zone, with many of our advisers having experienced addiction themselves.
As soon as you give your consent, we will get started finding the most suitable sober coach in Manchester, meaning you could be meeting with a supportive addiction expert in as little as a week after you reach out to us.
Call us on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 for an informal chat, or to request a sober coach right away. We’re here for you!
Below, we offer some answers to common questions around the sober coaching process:
Yes, you are more than welcome to talk to a friendly team member on behalf of your loved one. However, keep in mind that we cannot refer your loved one to a sober coaching service in Manchester without their consent.
If you’re struggling to know how to suggest coaching, we would love to give you some tips on how to raise the issue in a patient, understanding way.
Get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international) about the possibility of working with a sober companion, either on a regular basis or for ad-hoc events.
If you’re unsure exactly what a sober companion does, one of our lovely advisors can talk you through the many roles a sober companion plays in the lives of people with addiction.
You don’t need to be well-versed in therapy to have a sober coach. There is a chance that you will initially feel uncomfortable opening up, but this is a common experience that even happens to people who have been in therapy for years.
Coaches are equipped to support you through this stage, and will not force you to engage if you do not feel ready.
