From Addiction Treatment to Long Term Addiction Recovery,
Fairbanks Recovery Coaches Assist Individuals.

Research tells us that individuals who complete addiction treatment have a greater chance of successful recovery if they stay linked to a chemical dependency recovery management program. Fairbanks has recently added recovery coaches to the continuum of care as a way to assist individuals and families who are actively working a recovery plan and to provide long term recovery support.

An addiction recovery coach assists with the transition from addiction treatment to long term recovery. Currently, Fairbanks has two recovery coaches.

Individuals are introduced to the coaches in intensive outpatient groups (IOP). Individuals are recommended to work with a recovery coach anywhere from six months to a year.

Coaches assist people dealing with issues of spirituality, emotions, stigma, occupational and vocational sectors of their lives. They are given assignments and resources to help them focus on these areas as well as relapse prevention, familial issues and reintegration.

While working with an addiction recovery coach, individuals are involved in weekly group meetings that introduce sober-stress management, recovery maintenance, and ideas on how to develop a balanced lifestyle without using drugs and alcohol. Another tool used is the workbook entitled "90 in 90: A Tool for Recovery" written by Dr. Tim Kelly, Fairbanks medical director, and Dr. Sig Zielke, clinical specialist at Fairbanks. This book, which is available in the Fairbanks gift shop, helps an individual within the first 90 days of recovery incorporate working a recovery program into their daily life.

It is important to note that a recovery coach does not take the place of a sponsor. Both the addiction recovery coach and the sponsor can work together to support the individual in recovery.