The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women Ep.29: How is Coaching different than AA with Dennis Berry
What is the difference between Life, Recovery and Sober Coaching and a 12 step program like Alcoholics Anonymous?
Most people who are trying to stop drinking have preconceived notions about what goes on in 12 step recovery programs such as AA based on what they’ve seen on TV and in movies and are also confused about what exactly “life coaching” or “sober coaching” involves.
Some people wonder if a life and recovery coach is just a private paid AA Sponsor (spoiler alert - it’s not!)
Going through a 12 step program, like Alcoholics Anonymous, typically involves attending meetings where members follow the 12 steps laid in the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous as a process that recovering alcoholics work through to successfully achieve and maintain sobriety. Many of these steps are ideally taken with the help of a sponsor, an individual who has gone through the AA program and helps others who are new to AA as they navigate early sobriety.
Unlike AA, most life and sobriety coaches use a flexible approach to identify your personal goals around not drinking and succeeding in other areas of your life and create a plan to achieve them based on individual needs, motivations and preferences.
I think that hiring a coach to stop drinking is similar to the decision you might make to hire a personal trainer or a nutritionist to increase your fitness levels or refine your eating habits.
I’ve invited my guest, Dennis Berry, to have this conversation with me because he’s not only a skilled life coach who is passionate about the benefits of coaching, but he is also in recovery and found recovery in AA and for many years was an active participant in the program. He both sees all the benefits of 12 Step programs and the difference between AA and coaching.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How life, sobriety and recovery coaching differs from the approach used in 12 Step Recovery Programs such as Alcoholic Anonymous.
- Why most people need layers of support to stop drinking which may include a combination of coaching, therapy, exercise, 12 step programs, podcasts, books, online support groups and other hobbies, habits and healthy pursuits.
- How coaching differs from the work done by sponsors in AA or therapy in being goal and future-focused.
- The benefits of the Alcoholics Anonymous as a program which is widely available (with an estimated membership of 2 million people around the world), free of cost and offers fellowship, support and a structured program of steps to take to stop drinking.
- The limitations of AA as a program created 85 years ago, in 1935, by two white men. In 1939, the Fellowship published its basic textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous and in 1953 AA’s 12 steps (the guidelines by which to get sober and recover) and 12 traditions (the principles behind the steps meant to keep members focused on the primary purpose) were written. Criticisms of AA have been that it can be seen as a one-size-fits-all approach that is rigid and antiquated.
- The importance of developing independence in sobriety and why Dennis believes AA’s philosophy and approach can foster dependence on the program.
About Dennis Berry
Dennis is a Life Coach based in Colorado, who has been working with people recovering from addiction worldwide for over 15 years. Dennis has been in recovery from drug abuse for 17 years. His recovery has helped him find his mission in life, which is to help others on their journey through sobriety and achieve inner peace and success in every area of their lives. Dennis is also the host of The Funky Brain Podcast.
Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/29
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