Life Coaching - Addiction

Addiction can be a very difficult subject to deal with. People who suffer from addiction certainly see problems in their lives that are a direct result of their addiction. These problems can not be resolved without a commitment to recovery but many addicts want any answer but recovery.

Addicts can be very "sneaky" when it comes to their addiction. During sessions, they could very well tell you what they think you want to hear regarding their recovery or efforts to overcome their addiction. At the same time they are continuing on as before hoping that perhaps you will be able to help them circumvent recovery.

Clients who come to deal with the addiction itself are a difficult case. They often jump from one addiction to another, return to their addiction after a time of recovery or are in denial about their recovery. They are, at times, involved in illegal activity, ie: purchasing illegal drugs, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, stealing to pay for their habit, etc. As a life coach, you would not have legal privilege to this information and this would put you in a difficult legal position.

Many people who suffer from addiction can benefit greatly from medication. In these cases a referral to a doctor would be very appropriate. Also as they are in the process of recovery, many addicts become depressed and should also be sent to their doctor. In general an addict is a client who needs to be monitored and nurtured more than other clients. In a 12 step program such at Alcoholics Anonymous, the addicts would have a sponsor to call when they needed support. In this case, they have you, their coach. It is an exhausting proposition taking on addition clients.

Personally, I don't want to take on the responsibility of working with clients who are suffering from and seeking to recover from addiction. I think addicts need therapy and doctors to monitor their recovery.