Congrats on 2 years clean by the way!
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Does that mean your work is voluntary, or do you get a salary? Sorry, if that’s a stupid question, but it’s not totally clear for me in the way you answered @Ray_M_C_Laren
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Did this person say they were not a person in recovery? We deal with stuff on this very forum that is challenging and well, as far as I can tell, we vent about things we deal with. I’m not sure how this is different. It seems like a case of choose your thread to pay attention to. If it doesn’t apply, don’t read it. I respect you. Lots. I hope we can give this person a chance to express themselves in a safe space too.
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And how is this different from people venting about their sponsees leaving the program or losing their sponsers. I’m at a loss. Working with people in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders is hard. Hard work.
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I think this person just wants to shoot the shit w folks in their line of work 
Reporting from Michigan as well 
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Yes! Yes and yes. Thank you Les and I had no clue you were a fellow Michigander woot!
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Agreed. We’re all in recovery here. And all with our own interests, specialties, professions, and threads.
Good to see you Les!
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Off to bed night
Good point! So, our company is not for profit, but yes I do receive a salary. I’m just baffled that it went into people assuming I was here to try and offer services. I’m in recovery as well and just here to link up with others on the field over its challenges and successes.
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That’s great and I am definitely all for AA or any other recovery path. That’s just not what I posted for. It’s great to meet others in the field to collaborate with.
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There are differences when it comes to things like case management, documentation, resources for getting them the things they need. In this line of work it is made clear to our clients we are not a sponsor, therapist, priest, etc. Of course we can learn from others that are not in the field. My post wanted only to find others in my line of work to communicate. I am not sure where the issue in what my intention was. I do see, however, that this thread being picked apart for a simple question has made this site not for me.
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That is rude. 2 years clean is just as beneficial to anyone in recovery versus one day or 20 years. Which is EXACTLY why I came here. Is it really that out of reach to want to chat with others IN RECOVERY that do the same line of work as myself? To want to share that part of myself, my life, my struggles, my questions, etc., to someone that is potentially going through the same things I am? Your comment directly affects ANYONE in recovery with clean time. I’m sorry, but for someone in recovery, you seem to have a bias that because someone doesn’t have loads of clean time (to you) that they just don’t have the capability to also share experience, strength and hope as someone that holds some mythical award of years of sobriety. I cannot believe I came here hoping to connect with others on one aspect of my life and was met with this kind of condescending responses.
Maybe with all that clean time you have, you can learn to respect others for the triumphs they have made in changing their lives instead of trying to make some sort of point that had NOTHING to do with a simple question on connecting with others. Gross behavior.
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Also, I will add… Just because you rarely see a topic on this, doesn’t mean that it couldn’t or shouldn’t. People in recovery do hold recovery coach positions, so explain to me why I shouldn’t be able to ask this question?
Hi there! Im not a recovery coach but I have worked in the helping field for over 13 years. I used to work as a counsellor in a halfway house for men coming out of prison that have also been diglagnosed with severe mental health concerns. Now i work with adults who have complex needs (mental health concerns and intellectual disabilities). Some of our clients have addiction issues so I have been able to support them in their own journeys.
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Hello! Nice to meet you! Thank you for responding and hopefully we can chat more in the future. I am heading out for a speaker event and then our convention planning meeting tomorrow so I will be in and out. 13 years in the helping field is a long time! I’ve been hearing a lot about emotional burnout and to watch for things like that especially if we are also in recovery. Has it been something you’ve experienced?
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I never said I wasn’t here to chat on other topics. This was one topic I had some curiosity in. Again, we have now talked about my clean time not being that long and that I should try other threads. Can I do that for myself without you assuming either? Have a good day. This conversation between you and I is getting nowhere because it literally has nothing to do with my post.
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Oh absolutely!!! Burn out is REAL for those in the helping field. I used to experience it when I worked full time (i work as a relief staff now only on the weekends due to my sons medical conditons). I dont experience it as often now as Im not working 5 or 6 days a week but when working full time, I did.
I have a little bit over 3 years clean and I do find it hard at times when supporting clients with their addictions. I do my best to provide supports and resources and guidance in their journey. But at times i have gotten triggered by some of the stories I have heard. Not that I let that affect the support I give. But once home, I have to do the work in caring for myself. I think thats why self care is SO important. How long have you been in ur field for?
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I apologize as a member of TS for some of the rude responses you’ve recieved here… I hope you can find something helpful here and don’t let this bad first impression chase you off. I’m over 5 years sober and couldn’t have done it without this place. Hope to see you around.
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I never expected to see this thread reach out in odd and rude ways. I only mentioned “making money” because it might show up – because it does, regardless of professions.
Perhaps there are more coaches around here that haven’t spoken up…
I appreciate what you do. One of the reasons I have looked into it is because it freaking matters.
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Thank you so much. I was quite discouraged but I also need to remember if I am starting to feel that way that I have choices. I can step away for a bit and I can also not let anyone make me feel a certain way. I am choosing to let it affect me. I really appreciate knowing someone else understands.
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