Recovery Coaching and Sober Companion Services in New Jersey

There are many differences between a recovery coach, also known as a

sober coach, and other forms of addiction treatment. Put simply, Ground zero

Addiction Specialist’s recovery coaching method is solutions focused and

action based on an emphasis on improving one’s present life, reaching future

goals, and sustaining recovery from addictive behaviors.

Recovery coaches differ from most therapists in that coaches focus on the

here and now and moving forward. Recovery coaches are not associated with

a particular method of recovery, but rather help you discover what methods of

recovery work best for you and assist you in implementing and enhancing

those methods through motivation, action planning, and accountability. The

primary goal of a recovery coach is to be actively involved in the life of a

recovering individual in order to prevent relapse. Recovery coaches can work

in conjunction with other common methods of treatment, such as outpatient

treatment, mental health counseling, and/or mutual-help groups (e.g., 12-step

groups, SMART Recovery).

Ground Zero’s recovery coaching differs from other recovery coaches. In

addition to our recovery coach providers holding recovery coaching

certifications and having years of experience working in the coaching industry,

they are also have years of experience working in the addictions field and in

outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation centers.

Ground Zero’s team has firsthand knowledge and experience with various

treatment models and have been able to enhance their coaching methods

based on their years of therapeutic experience. Ground zero understands the

importance of tailoring their treatment to their specific client and limiting the

number of clients they work with to ensure the highest quality of care.

Ground Zero also stands out from other recovery coaches because their

experience and focus is not only for the recovering addict and their

individualized coaching needs but also offers services for family members

who are impacted by the addiction of another. They never look at couples or

your family members as a secondary issue, but rather as a focal point in the

recovery process. Ground Zero also emphasize a holistic/wellness-focused

approach to recovery for the addicted individual and their family and

incorporate fitness and nutritional coaching into their practice, Ground zero

can also provide a faith based addictions recovery coaching model for

individuals and families.

Ground Zero does not take insurance, is not an out of network provider, and

will not complete any paperwork relating to insurance. This is to strictly protect

your confidentiality and privacy and to ensure the highest quality of care.

Ground Zero offers a wide range of services and packages, and services are

always customized to meet the needs of each respective individual and their

family.  As such, there is no set price for services.  In order to determine the

course of treatment and for the team to customize a treatment plan that works

for you, the starting point is to schedule an initial assessment and consultation

appointment.  

Please contact Ground Zero today to learn more and to

schedule an initial assessment and consultation appointment.

Ground Zero is based in the New York City area, as well as Palm Beach county Florida we are also available to clients worldwide both in-person or via Zoom. 

Ground Zero offers concierge visits to your home, office, or other safe locations or can offer in office visits. Ground Zero addiction coaches always prioritizes confidentiality, safety, and privacy. If in-person meetings are requested in other states or countries, travel fees will apply.

Ground Zero addiction Recovery coaching offers various coaching options for

their different coaching services. Coaching sessions are not bound by time, as

long as within reason and at the discretion of the provider. 

Each coaching session is generally 1 hour sessions are offered in several packages. The frequency of meetings is based on the needs of each individual client, and they are available 7 days a week and evenings.  Intensive work is generally done for the first 3 to 6 months, with ongoing services provided as needed.

Ground Zero offers Recovery Companion and Recovery Transport services, also known as Sober Companion and Sober Transport services, for select events and select destinations. Ground Zero offers these services for their Recovery Coaching clients.

A Recovery Companion is someone who will go with you to an event that might pose a risk to your recovery, such as a wedding, concert, vacation, etc. They may also stay with you in your home if you are in early recovery or struggling with your recovery, and can work on an as-needed basis including 24/7. They will help keep you accountable and do everything they can to ensure your safety and recovery.

A Recovery Transport is someone who will take you to and from various appointments and destinations via car (e.g., business meetings, dinner with friends and other social gatherings, work events, treatment centers, medical appointments).

Ground Zero’s Recovery Companions and Recovery Transports work privately and discretely to ensure your anonymity as a person in recovery. They can be introduced to others as a personal assistant, a driver, a friend, a long-distance relative, a business associate, etc.

Yes, Ground Zero can provide on-site alcohol and drug screening with their clients using

urinalysis, mouth swabs, and/or breathalyzers. They also work with Quest

Diagnostics and Lab Corporation, allowing a client to be drug screened at any location that is convenient for them. This also allows for alcohol and drug screening to be performed on days that Ground Zero is not directly meeting with clients in-person. Depending on the needs of the client and the client's family, Ground Zero can arrange for random alcohol and drug screening 7 days per week.

Ground Zero does not prescribe medication, but would be able to give a

referral of a Psychiatrist, depending on your location. 

In an ideal world, nobody would need to be on medications; however, Ground Zero understands that some individuals absolutely require medication to assist them in coping with certain mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. From their years of experience in working in addiction and

mental health, they have witnessed clients wanting to rely on medications

instead of dealing with the root cause of their issues. Similarly, they have also seen clients mistakenly self-diagnose and neglect their need for medications when it has been needed. Both of these cases typically lead to poor treatment outcomes and unsustainable recovery. The team’s focus is always on what is best for each of their clients.

Yes. Ground Zero has experience working with the legal system. If you currently have a drug or alcohol related legal case (e.g., DUI/DWI, criminal case, child protective services order), they will work with you and your legal

representative to advocate for you. However, Ground Zero only works with individuals who acknowledge having a problem and are motivated to change and engage in the recovery process.

The team at Ground Zero firmly believes in the importance of matching individuals with the appropriate professionals who can best serve them. As such, if Ground Zero’s coaching services are not right for you, they will refer

you to appropriate professionals who are better suited to meet your needs. The team at Ground Zero can often determine if this is a good fit from an initial phone screening or initial assessment. If a client should ever need a higher level of care, Ground Zero will refer clients to the appropriate services that meet the client’s needs. Ground Zero’s focus is always on doing what is best

for their clients.

Ground Zero recognizes that many people “fail” treatment or become disenchanted with mutual-help groups (e.g., 12-step programs) because these approaches only believe one is in recovery if they have achieved complete

abstinence. As a result, many individuals give up on the prospect of getting help all together and return to full-blown active addiction.

Ground Zero has special training in harm reduction techniques, so they can

effectively work with individuals and lead them on the path to sustained personal recovery and improved health and well-being—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

You may. Ground Zero can often determine this by an initial phone screening.

If inpatient detox or inpatient treatment is needed, Ground Zero can refer you

to an appropriate facility.

Absolutely not. While the team at Ground Zero believes that 12-step programs are a great pathway to sustainable long-term recovery for some individuals, they do not believe that 12-step meetings are the only pathway to achieve recovery. If you have never given 12-step meetings a chance, your provider will likely encourage you to give them a try, or try other mutual help groups. However, if you have been to numerous 12-step meetings and have not benefited from them, your provider will not waste anymore of your time.

Ground Zero works well with individuals who have had unsuccessful attempts at recovery through conventional treatment approaches such as 12-step groups and want to try a different approach to recovery.

Identifying as having an “addiction” or being an “addict” or “alcoholic” can be

stigmatizing, shaming, and uncomfortable. Whether you identify as such or prefer other terms such as “have a problem with alcohol,” “have a substance use disorder,” “binge drinker,” “drinking to excess,” “enjoy partying too much,” etc. is ultimately up to you. All that matters is that you notice there is something wrong with your behavior or that you have a feeling that it is becoming progressively worse and want to do something before your life

spirals (further) out of control. For purposes of this website, Ground Zero uses the term “addiction” to be all encompassing and to identify the problematic

behavior. 

Addiction involves having a need to continue using a particular substance such as alcohol, drugs, or food; using a particular thing such as the Internet or porn; or engaging in a particular activity such as sex, video gaming,

cryptocurrency trading, stock trading or gambling. Addictions become

problematic when an individual continues to engage in their addictive behavior

despite adverse consequences to the individual or to those around them.

Despite these consequences, the individual is led back to their addiction due

to physical compulsion and/or obsessive thoughts. Some common signs of

addiction are loss of control, preoccupation with the substance/thing/activity,

and failed attempts to stop the addictive behavior.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, in order for someone to be

diagnosed with a substance use disorder, they must meet specific criteria and

are diagnosed according to a sub-classification spectrum from mild (presence

of 2 to 3 symptoms) to moderate (presence of 4 to 5 symptoms) to severe

(presence of 6 or more symptoms). The various symptoms include the

following: 

1. Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you are meant to.

2. Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.

3. Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the

substance.

4. Cravings and urges to use the substance.

5. Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of

substance use.

6. Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships.

7. Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because

of substance use.

8. Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger.

9. Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the

substance.

10. Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance).

11. Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking

more of the substance. 

Whether you meet criteria for a substance use disorder or not, it is not necessary to have an official diagnosis to work with a recovery coach. The only requirement for working with a recovery coach is the desire to change

your addictive behavior.

Forty million Americans ages 12 and older (more than 1 in 7 people) abuse or

are addicted to alcohol, drugs, or nicotine. This is more than the number of Americans with heart conditions (27 million), diabetes (26 million), or cancer (19 million). When factoring in the numbers of other forms of addictions such as sex, gambling, food, etc., the numbers grow exponentially. 

Ground Zero recognizes that addiction affects everyone, from the park

bench to Park Avenue, and that addiction does not discriminate between race,

gender, culture, age, income level, educational background, etc. 

Ground Zero has worked with a wide range of clients, including executives, athletes, doctors, lawyers, and politicians, and can give you the help you deserve while respecting your need for privacy.

Cross-addictions occur when people addicted to one specific substance or

behavior cease or decrease the use of that substance or behavior and then

replace that substance with a new substance or a new behavior. For example, a person with an opiate addiction may stop taking opiates but may start abusing alcohol, or a person with an opiate addiction may stop abusing

opiates but may start gambling. Both cases are examples of cross addiction.

Ground Zero offers treatment to individuals with addictions to multiple substances or impulsive behaviors and help these individuals reach sustained recovery.