How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Alabama

Recovery coaches help people overcome addiction by offering non-clinical support to those seeking it.

As a recovery coach, your role involves assisting individuals undergoing addiction treatment either at a rehabilitation facility or within their local communities.

You will provide support to patients, motivating them to persevere until they achieve freedom from substance dependency.

In this article, you’ll learn more about this occupation, especially salary, and the steps you’ll take if you want to become such a professional.

Professional Recovery Coach Job Description

Recovery coaches aren’t therapists and as such they don’t diagnose nor do they treat others.

Their main purpose is to offer support so that their clients will improve their lives and overcome addiction.

These professionals can work with:

• Those addicted to substances
• Alcoholics
• Those addicted to food
• Those addicted to sex, shopping, gambling
• Other addicts

Some job duties include:

• Teach clients life skills, like cooking and cleaning
• Discuss the client’s goals and create an action plan
• Complete safety and wellness checks
• Monitor progress and provide accountability
• Provide access to other recovery resources
• Maintain privacy and meet HIPAA guidelines
• Meet with clients and family members

Becoming a Professional Recovery Coach in Alabama

Here are the steps to becoming a professional recovery coach in Alabama.

1. Earn A High School Diploma

Earning a high school diploma is mandatory for this occupation.

Those who dropped out of school can earn their GED instead, as this diploma is also accepted.

This type of diploma will prove some basic skills needed for the position.

Almost any alternative educational facility in your area should offer a program that awards a GED.

2. Sign up for training

Training is not mandatory for this occupation, but it will surely make your resume stand out.

In Alabama, the Department of Mental Health (ADMH) organizes several courses for those who want to become recovery coaches.

I will talk about this topic later on.

What you should remember is that these classes don’t last for too long.

The usual duration is between 200 hours and a few months.

The structure of a class is more or less the following:

• 60 hours of approved coach training hours
• 34 hours of core self-study
• 12 hours of buddy coaching
• 16 hours of CAC niche self-study

3. Become certified

Certification is also not mandatory for this profession.

However, usually upon the completion of the training course, you can sit for the certification exam.

In fact, you can choose one of several such tests:

• ICF certification
• BCC certification test

The second certification has these requirements:

• 82 CCE hours
• 16 hours in the CAC

Other popular certifications are the CCAR, CARC, NAADAC, and NCPRSS certifications.

The exam has 125 questions and the passing score is 70.

Keep in mind that Alabama doesn’t have any requirements for any certification.

4. Be clean or sober

Most individuals opt to become recovery coaches due to their personal experience and triumph over addiction.

For them, it is essential to have a minimum of one year of sobriety, ideally two years.

If you do not have personal struggles with addiction, it is prudent to adhere to the same expectations and guidelines that you set for your clients.

This generally entails abstaining from illicit drug consumption, alcohol, and even tobacco.

5. Get some experience

While training and a certification will make you stand out among other candidates, sometimes these aren’t enough.

The easiest way to get some experience in this field is by volunteering at a recovery center.

Some former addicts choose to become sponsors, but for this one has to be at least 1 year clear of the abused substance.

Two recommendations are also needed.

Professional Recovery Coach Training Options in Alabama

Here are some of the institutions that offer training for future recovery coaches in Alabama.

Council on Substance Abuse (COSA-NCADD)

This is the official provider of training classes for recovery coaches in this state.

Its duration is of one week and you’ll have to complete some homework as well.

Some of the classes include:

• Substance use recovery,
• Empowerment,
• Consumer rights
• Coping skills

This certification has to be renewed every year by completing 16 continuing education units.

The cost of the education can be covered by the state.

Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

The training program here is offered online and has a duration of 60 hours that can be completed in 6 months.

The cost of this course is $1650 and part of it is endorsed by the International Association of Peer Supporters.

Not One More Alabama

This is a non-profit organization that focuses on offering classes to those who have a family member that struggles with addiction.

This organization accepts volunteers that will offer support over the phone to those receiving training.

Salaries for Professional Recovery Coaches in Alabama

Even before completing all the steps described earlier, you might be interested in knowing how much you’ll earn as a professional recovery coach in Alabama.

These professionals earn in this state on average $31,000 per year.

If you’re curious about the cities where the salary is higher, look no further than the table below.

Do remember that a series of factors will influence how much you’ll earn.

Regional Salary in Alabama

Professional Recovery Coach by State