How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Hawaii

Recovery coaches play a crucial role in providing non-clinical support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction.

As a recovery coach in Hawaii, your primary objective is to offer assistance to individuals undergoing addiction treatment, whether it be in rehabilitation facilities or within local communities.

Your responsibility is to provide guidance and motivation to patients, empowering them to persevere until they achieve freedom from substance dependency.

This article delves into this field, highlighting important aspects such as salary information and the steps to take to become a certified recovery coach in Hawaii.

Professional Recovery Coach Job Description

Recovery coaches don’t diagnose or treat individuals as they are not therapists.

Their main focus is to provide support and guidance to help clients improve their lives and overcome addiction.

Recovery coaches can work with individuals struggling with substance abuse, alcoholism, food addiction, sex addiction, shopping addiction, or gambling addiction.

Some of the job duties include:

• Teaching clients essential life skills, such as cooking and cleaning
• Discussing clients’ goals and creating action plans
• Conducting safety and wellness checks
• Monitoring progress and providing accountability
• Providing access to other recovery resources
• Maintaining client confidentiality and adhering to HIPAA guidelines
• Meeting with clients and their family members

Becoming a Professional Recovery Coach in Hawaii

Let’s have a look at the steps to becoming a recovery coach in Hawaii:

1. Obtain a High School Diploma

Having a high school diploma is a prerequisite for this occupation.

Alternatively, individuals who have not completed high school can earn a GED, which is also accepted.

A high school diploma or GED demonstrates the foundational skills necessary for the role.

There are various alternative educational institutions in the state that offer GED programs.

2. Sign up for training

In this state, certification is not required.

But, it will definitely help you find a good job faster.

In Hawaii, the focus of the training is on the individual’s well-being and places less emphasis on addiction.

The state’s certified peer specialist (HPSC) program is also focused on mental illness and recovery from that.

Completing the HPSC training program allows you to take oral and written tests.

After that, you will receive your certification and can start looking for work.

4. Be clean or sober

Many individuals choose to pursue a career as recovery coaches based on their personal journeys of overcoming addiction.

In Hawaii, it is crucial for these individuals to have a minimum of one year of sobriety, preferably two years.

Even if you haven’t personally struggled with addiction, it is important to adhere to the same expectations and guidelines as your clients.

This also means avoiding the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

Getting practical experience is valuable in addition to training and licensing.

Volunteering at a recovery center is the easiest way to get practical experience.

Additionally, two recommendations are needed to further enhance your qualifications.

5. Become Certified

The certification is issued by the Board of Consumer Affairs.

Applicants must carefully review and agree to the training program’s competencies, the HPCS code of conduct and ethics, and the HPCS spectrum of activities.

Additionally, they are expected to engage in volunteer or paid work experiences related to peer support.

The completed application should be accompanied by the following:

• A signed acknowledgment of the HPCS range of activities.
• A signed compliance statement affirming adherence to the HPCS code of ethics and conduct.
• Three signed professional references.

You will need to take 16 extra classes to continue your education if you want to keep your certification.

Professional Recovery Coach Training Options in Hawaii

Let’s have a look at the schools that offer training for future professional recovery coaches.

Ed2Go

This is a 100% online course offered through the Hawaii Community College in Hilo.

The cost of the class is almost $1,700 and it can be paid in installments.

Its duration is of 60 hours spread over 6 months.

The class has 3 main syllabus parts:

• Neuroscience of Joyful Recovery
• Professional Recovery Coach Competencies Part 1
• Professional Recovery Coach Competencies Part 2

International Association for Professional Recovery Coaches

The class offered by this Association is useful not only for recovery coaches but also for Counselors, Therapists, and Managers who want more clients.

IAPRC offers payment plans for those needing a bit of help in paying their tuition.

The offered program has 6 modules:

• Neuroscience of Joyful Recovery
• Mini-Video Courses
  • Roots of Addiction
  • Alcohol Effects
• Professional Recovery Coach Competencies Part 1
• Professional Recovery Coach Competencies Part 2
• Live Skills Practice Sessions – 20 weeks
• Family Issues in Recovery

The program is offered online and is self-paced.

Salaries for Professional Recovery Coaches in Hawaii

Before you finalize the process outlined above, you may have a natural curiosity about the potential income as a professional recovery coach in Hawaii.

On average, professionals in this field earn around $36,026 per year in the state.

If you’re interested in knowing which cities provide better pay, have a look at the table provided below.

Some of the factors that will impact your salary include how much experience you have, and where you live.

Regional Salary in Hawaii

Professional Recovery Coach by State