Recovery Coaching and Kratom

David Mahler • November 18, 2024

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Southeast Asia, whose leaves are used for their stimulant and sedative properties. In recent years, it has gained popularity in the United States, especially as an alternative to opioids and as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, and depression.

However, as with many substances, kratom use can lead to dependence and addiction, and its growing popularity has also been accompanied by concerns about its potential for abuse. When someone becomes addicted to kratom, they may face a range of physical and psychological challenges, including withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and difficulties in maintaining a healthy, balanced life.

While traditional treatment methods such as detoxification and therapy are essential, addiction recovery coaching can play a pivotal role in supporting someone through their journey of recovery. This blog will explore how Ground Zero Recovery Coaching can help someone struggling with kratom addiction. 

Your Ground Zero Recovery Coach is a trained professional who works with individuals to help them achieve and maintain long-term sobriety. Recovery coaches are not therapists or counselors, but they provide valuable support to people in recovery by helping them navigate challenges, develop coping strategies, and create a sustainable plan for their future. They are allies in the recovery process, offering practical advice, emotional support, and accountability. Unlike therapists or medical professionals who focus primarily on clinical treatment, addiction recovery coaches work with individuals on a personal, day-to-day basis to help them apply what they’ve learned in therapy or detoxification programs to real-world situations. Your Ground Zero Recovery Coach will help you identify triggers, set and achieve goals, and provide encouragement when the road to recovery gets tough. 

Ground Zero Recovery Coaching Can Help with Kratom misuse, just like with other substance dependencies, Kratom misuse can be a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a holistic approach to treatment. Recovery coaching can be particularly effective in supporting individuals who are addicted to kratom by providing personalized guidance and practical tools to help them achieve sobriety. 

1. Building a Personalized Recovery Plan: One of the first steps in recovery is creating a customized plan that takes into account the individual's specific situation, challenges, and goals. Ground Zero Coaching will work with the person to assess their current state of addiction, their reasons for using kratom, and their motivations for quitting. Together, they will craft a recovery plan that outlines short- and long-term goals, strategies for overcoming obstacles, and actionable steps to stay on track. For someone addicted to kratom, this plan might include tapering off the substance slowly (since abrupt cessation can lead to withdrawal symptoms), identifying triggers that lead to cravings, and establishing healthy habits to replace the time spent using kratom. 

2. Providing Emotional Support: Substance Use disorder recovery is often a deeply emotional journey. People who are misusing substances like kratom may experience shame, guilt, and fear, and these emotions can hinder their progress. Your recovery coach will provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can express your feelings openly. At Ground Zero we will also offer positive reinforcement and encouragement, helping individuals stay motivated even when they face setbacks. By fostering a relationship of trust and support, Your Ground Zero Coach can help you feel empowered and validated in your recovery efforts. 

3. Addressing Underlying Issues: many individuals who become addicted to kratom may be using it as a way to self-medicate for underlying mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Your coach will not diagnose or treat mental health disorders, but will work in tandem with a therapist or counselor if necessary to ensure that emotional and psychological factors are addressed in the recovery process. Your Ground Zero Recovery Coach may help identify unhealthy patterns of thinking or behaviors that contribute to addiction and work with you on replacing these with more positive, healthy habits. By addressing underlying issues, your coach can help reduce the risk of relapse and encourage long-term recovery.

 4. Helping with Cravings and Triggers: Kratom addiction, like other substance dependencies, is often accompanied by intense cravings and triggers that make staying sober difficult. Your recovery coach can help identify specific triggers that lead to the use of kratom—whether these triggers are emotional, social, or environmental. Once these triggers are identified, your coach can work with you to develop coping strategies to handle cravings in a healthy way. Coping strategies might include mindfulness exercises, distraction techniques, or finding alternative activities that bring a sense of joy or relaxation without the use of kratom. Your coach can also help practice emotional regulation, teaching you how to manage stress or negative emotions without turning to kratom as a crutch. 

5. Accountability and Motivation: One of the key roles of your Ground Zero Recovery Coach is to provide accountability. When someone is trying to overcome an addiction, especially one to a substance like kratom, it can be easy to slip back into old habits or get discouraged. Your coach can help you stay on track by checking in regularly, reviewing progress, and offering constructive feedback. Accountability is often the difference between success and relapse in the recovery process. Knowing that someone is there to support you and hold you responsible for your actions can be a powerful motivator for individuals in recovery. By setting clear goals and regularly evaluating progress, your coach can help you stay focused on your recovery journey.

 6. Developing Healthy Habits and Life Skills: Kratom misuse often disrupts many aspects of a person’s life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being. Your recovery coach can help you rebuild your life by focusing on developing healthy habits and life skills that support your recovery. This might include establishing a healthy daily routine, improving sleep patterns, incorporating exercise or meditation into your day, and building healthy social connections. Your Coach will also work with you to set achievable, meaningful goals that contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By focusing on building a well-rounded, balanced life, your recovery coach helps you to create a foundation for lasting sobriety and success beyond just overcoming kratom addiction. 

7. Relapse Prevention and Long-Term Success: Recovery is a lifelong process, and relapse can be a reality for many individuals. However, your recovery coach can help mitigate the risk of relapse by teaching you how to maintain your sobriety and stay focused on your goals. Coaching will provide ongoing support, especially during high-risk situations, such as periods of stress or social pressure, when the temptation to use kratom might be greatest. By encouraging you to continue developing coping skills, reinforce healthy behaviors, and remain engaged in the recovery community, your coach will help ensure that you are equipped to face challenges and prevent relapse in the future.

Addiction to kratom can be a challenging battle, but with the right support, recovery is entirely possible. Ground Zero Recovery coaching can provide the guidance, emotional support, and accountability necessary to help overcome an addiction to kratom . By working with a coach, you can gain insight into your substance misuse, develop practical coping strategies, and build the foundation for a sober, fulfilling life. Ground Zero Recovery Coaching can play a vital role in your journey toward healing, offering a blend of support, encouragement, and real-world tools to help you thrive in long-term sobriety.

Why a Recovery Coach Matters During the Holiday Season

By David Mahler • November 24, 2025
The holiday season has a way of magnifying everything—joy, stress, expectations, emotions, and memories. For people in recovery, this time of year can feel especially complicated. Between family gatherings, disrupted routines, emotional triggers, and environments where alcohol or old habits are present, it’s easy to feel unsteady. Whether someone has been sober for years or is only beginning to find their footing, support is essential. One of the strongest forms of support during this season is a recovery coach. A recovery coach isn’t just someone who cheers you on. They’re a partner in accountability, a guide through tricky emotional terrain, and a stable voice when everything around you feels loud or overwhelming. As we head into the holidays, here’s why having a recovery coach can make all the difference. Holiday Stress Hits Everyone—Including the “Experienced” in Recovery There’s a common assumption that the longer someone is sober, the easier the holidays become. And yes—time and practice do help. But recovery isn’t a linear experience, and stress doesn’t discriminate based on how many years someone has under their belt. For people with long-term sobriety, the holidays can bring nostalgia for “old times,” complacency, complicated family dynamics, and added responsibilities. A recovery coach helps ground and re-center someone who may not realize how much the season is taking out of them. For Those New to Sobriety, Everything Feels Amplified For someone new to recovery, the holidays can feel like being dropped into the deep end before you’ve learned to swim. A recovery coach acts as a lifeline—guiding someone through their first sober gatherings, helping get through the moments of fear, judgment, loneliness, and emotional overload. They help with boundary-setting, planning, and emotional support when everything feels new and overwhelming. Family and Relationship Dynamics Can Be Tricky Holidays and family can be both a blessing and a landmine. Common challenges include families who drink heavily, relatives who ask intrusive questions, emotional triggers, or pressure to “just have one.” A recovery coach helps prepare for these moments by identifying triggers, building communication plans, creating boundaries, and providing strategies to exit situations gracefully. Recovery Coaches Provide Structure When the Holidays Disrupt Routine Routine is one of the strongest anchors in recovery—but the holidays disrupt everything. A recovery coach helps rebuild or adjust routines, keep accountability, and provide grounding tools so the season feels manageable instead of chaotic. Most Importantly: You Don’t Have to Navigate the Season Alone Recovery thrives in connection. Isolation fuels relapse. A recovery coach is someone in your corner—celebrating wins, supporting tough moments, and helping you experience the holidays with authenticity and strength. Whether someone is decades into recovery or just starting out, the holiday season can be overwhelming. A recovery coach gives you the tools, support, and companionship to meet the season with confidence rather than fear.

How a Sober Companion Can Help Someone Transition Home After Treatment

By David Mahler • October 26, 2025

Why Some Executives Need a Sober Companion

By David Mahler • August 17, 2025
In today’s fast-paced corporate world, executives often face high-stakes decisions, long hours, and immense pressure to perform. This intense lifestyle can sometimes lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including substance use. When stress collides with the constant availability of alcohol at business dinners, networking events, and client meetings, the risk of dependency increases. For leaders looking to maintain their edge and safeguard their well-being, a sober companion or recovery coach can provide essential support. The Role of a Sober Companion A sober companion is a professional who helps individuals remain accountable and committed to their sobriety. Unlike a therapist, who may meet once a week, sober companions are often present daily, providing real-time guidance during business trips, social events, or other high-pressure situations. Their presence allows executives to navigate professional obligations without jeopardizing recovery or reputation. In addition, a sober companion offers structure, consistency, and discreet support—qualities that are invaluable for executives managing both personal recovery and professional demands. Why Executives Benefit Executives are under constant scrutiny. A single poor decision can impact not only their career but also the success of an entire company. A sober companion helps mitigate these risks by ensuring the leader remains clear-headed, present, and focused. This layer of accountability safeguards careers, stabilizes leadership, and ultimately benefits the wider organization. Beyond sobriety, many sober companions and recovery coaches encourage healthier routines—incorporating fitness, mindfulness, and stress management practices. This holistic approach helps leaders build resilience, making them stronger both in the boardroom and in their personal lives. Breaking the Stigma Seeking a sober companion or recovery coach should not be seen as a weakness. On the contrary, it is a powerful act of leadership. By prioritizing wellness, executives set a strong example for their teams and demonstrate that self-awareness and support are crucial for long-term success. Final Thoughts Some executives need a sober companion not just to maintain sobriety, but to thrive in demanding environments. Having professional support ensures they can lead with clarity, confidence, and balance. If you or someone you know could benefit from this kind of support, contact Ground Zero Recovery for all your sober companion and sober coaching needs.