As a recovery coach, you're often the bridge between treatment and sustained recovery. You're not providing clinical treatment, but you're doing something equally important: helping clients build the practical infrastructure that makes recovery sustainable in the real world.
Resource planning sits at the heart of this work. The resources you help clients connect with—meetings, providers, supports, services—become the scaffolding that holds their recovery in place during the vulnerable early months and beyond.
This guide provides a systematic approach to resource planning, including a practical framework you can apply with every client.
Why Resource Planning Matters
Clients leaving treatment often face a paradox: they've never been more motivated for recovery, but they've also never been more vulnerable to relapse. The structure that protected them in treatment is gone. The triggers and stressors of normal life return. And they often lack the practical resources and support systems needed to navigate this transition.
Effective resource planning addresses this gap. It ensures clients leave your care with not just good intentions, but with concrete connections to the people, places, and services that will support their recovery.
Research backs this up. Studies consistently show that clients with comprehensive aftercare resources have better outcomes than those who leave treatment or coaching with minimal connections. The strength of recovery capital—the resources available to support recovery—predicts long-term success.
The 3-3-3 Framework
When building resource plans, it's easy to either overthink (creating elaborate plans that overwhelm clients) or underthink (providing a few phone numbers and hoping for the best). The 3-3-3 framework provides a simple structure that ensures comprehensive coverage without overwhelming complexity.
3 Meetings Per Week (Minimum)
The first "3" represents a minimum of three recovery meetings per week. This baseline is achievable for most clients while providing consistent connection to recovery community.
However, research consistently shows that more is better, especially in early recovery. The "90 meetings in 90 days" recommendation exists because it works—studies demonstrate that daily meeting attendance in the first 90 days correlates with significantly better long-term outcomes. This intensive engagement:
- Builds recovery habits before old patterns can reassert themselves
- Creates rapid immersion in recovery community and culture
- Provides daily structure during the most vulnerable period
- Accelerates the process of finding a sponsor and building a support network
The meeting attendance spectrum:
- Optimal (early recovery): 90 meetings in 90 days—daily attendance for the first three months
- Strong: 5-7 meetings per week during the first year
- Minimum baseline: 3 meetings per week—the floor, not the ceiling
When discussing meeting attendance with clients, frame three meetings per week as the absolute minimum to maintain recovery momentum. For clients in their first 90 days, strongly encourage daily attendance. The evidence supports this intensity, and the habits formed in early recovery often persist.
Why three as a minimum?
- Provides consistent connection to recovery community
- Realistic floor for clients with significant work, family, or other obligations
- Creates routine without being overwhelming
- Allows for different meeting types and experiences
What to plan for each meeting:
- Specific meeting name, day, and time
- Location and directions
- Format (discussion, speaker, step study, etc.)
- Backup meeting for the same time slot
- How the client will get there
Building the schedule:
Work with your client to identify three time slots that work with their life. For each slot, find a primary meeting and at least one backup. Verify the meeting is still active and the time is accurate—meeting schedules change frequently.
Consider variety: include different meeting types, different fellowship sizes, perhaps different programs (AA and SMART Recovery, for example). This helps clients find where they connect best while maintaining their baseline support.
Always include at least two online meeting options as emergency backups for days when in-person attendance isn't possible.
3 Support Contacts
The second "3" represents three support contacts the client can reach in difficult moments. These are the people who will answer the phone when cravings hit, when life gets hard, or when the client just needs to talk to someone who understands.
The three contacts should include:
1. A recovery peer This might be a sponsor, a recovery mentor, or a friend from the program. The key is that it's someone further along in recovery who can provide perspective and support from lived experience.
If your client doesn't have a sponsor yet, help them identify how they'll find one. Which meeting will they ask? Who might be a good fit? What's their timeline?
2. A personal support person This is someone from the client's personal life—a family member, friend, or partner—who supports their recovery. This person doesn't need to be in recovery themselves; they need to be safe, supportive, and reachable.
Help clients evaluate their relationships honestly. Not everyone in their life is a safe support contact. Someone who drinks heavily, minimizes addiction, or has historically enabled the client's use isn't a good choice, regardless of how close the relationship is.
3. A professional contact This is someone in a professional support role—you, a therapist, a case manager, or another provider. This ensures the client has access to professional guidance when peer support isn't enough.
Document clearly: For each contact, record:
- Name and relationship
- Phone number (save in client's phone)
- Best times to reach them
- Backup contact method
3 Crisis Resources
The third "3" represents three crisis resources the client can access in emergency situations. These are the safety nets for when things go seriously wrong.
The three resources should include:
1. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline The national crisis line (call or text 988) should be in every client's phone. It provides 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors and can connect callers to local services. Make sure clients know this isn't just for suicidal thoughts—it's for any mental health crisis.
2. A local crisis resource Identify a local resource specific to your client's area. This might be:
- A local crisis line
- A mobile crisis team
- A crisis stabilization unit
- A hospital emergency room with strong behavioral health services
Research the best local option and ensure the client knows exactly where to go or call.
3. A return-to-treatment option Relapse is a potential reality, and clients should know exactly what to do if it happens. Identify:
- The treatment program or facility they would return to
- The phone number to call
- What the process would be to get back into care
Frame this clearly: having a return-to-treatment plan isn't expecting failure. It's smart contingency planning that removes barriers if intensive help is ever needed. No shame, no judgment—just a clear path back.
Escalation and De-escalation Agreements
Beyond crisis planning, every resource plan should include explicit agreements about when to adjust the level of care—in both directions. Discuss and document:
Escalation triggers (moving to higher level of care): Work with your client to identify specific warning signs that would warrant stepping up to more intensive support:
- Return to use (any use, or pattern of use—define clearly)
- Missing multiple meetings or appointments
- Stopping medication without provider guidance
- Major life stressors (job loss, relationship crisis, death in family)
- Worsening mental health symptoms
- Isolating from support system
For each trigger, agree on the response: "If X happens, we will Y." Make these agreements concrete and specific before they're needed, when thinking is clear.
De-escalation milestones (stepping down to lighter support): Recovery isn't meant to stay at crisis-level intensity forever. Discuss what sustained recovery looks like and when it might be appropriate to reduce the intensity of support:
- After 90 days: Reassess meeting frequency—daily may become 5x/week
- After 6 months: Consider reducing therapy frequency, transitioning from IOP to standard outpatient
- After 1 year: Evaluate overall support structure; many clients can maintain recovery with 3-4 meetings weekly, monthly therapy, and strong peer connections
- Ongoing: Adjustments based on life circumstances, stress levels, and recovery stability
The goal is a gradual, intentional transition—not an abrupt dropping of support. Each step down should be discussed, planned, and monitored. If stability wavers, step back up temporarily without shame.
Document the agreement: Write down both escalation triggers and de-escalation milestones. Review them periodically. This creates clarity for everyone and removes the guesswork during difficult moments.
Beyond the 3-3-3: Building the Complete Resource Plan
The 3-3-3 framework provides the foundation, but most clients need additional resources beyond this baseline.
Professional Services
Based on your client's needs, ensure they're connected to:
Mental health services:
- Individual therapist (verify they specialize in addiction)
- Psychiatrist or prescriber if on psychiatric medications
- Group therapy if appropriate
Medical services:
- Primary care physician
- MAT provider if on medication-assisted treatment
- Specialist care for any co-occurring conditions
Recovery support services:
- Peer recovery support services
- Recovery community organizations
- Alumni programs from previous treatment
Coordinated Case Management
One of the most critical—and often overlooked—aspects of resource planning is ensuring all supports work together, not in silos. Effective recovery requires coordination across four domains:
The four pillars of case management:
- Medical supports: Primary care, MAT providers, specialists for co-occurring conditions
- Clinical supports: Therapists, psychiatrists, treatment programs
- Spiritual supports: Sponsors, faith communities, meditation groups, 12-step fellowship
- Social supports: Family, sober friends, recovery community, peer support specialists
The key isn't just connecting clients to each type of support—it's ensuring these supports communicate with each other. When the therapist doesn't know about the MAT, when the sponsor doesn't know about the psychiatric medication changes, when family doesn't understand the treatment plan, gaps emerge. Clients fall through those gaps.
Your role in coordination:
- Help clients identify one point person (often you, a case manager, or a therapist) who maintains the big picture
- Facilitate communication between providers with appropriate releases of information
- Ensure the client's support team shares consistent messaging and expectations
- Schedule periodic "care team" conversations when appropriate
- Document who's doing what so nothing falls through the cracks
Good case management means everyone rowing in the same direction. When the medical team, clinical team, spiritual supports, and social network are aligned, clients get consistent support instead of conflicting advice.
Practical Support Resources
Recovery doesn't happen in isolation from the rest of life. Help clients connect to resources for:
Housing:
- Sober living if appropriate
- Housing assistance programs
- Recovery housing resources
Employment:
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Job training programs
- Recovery-friendly workplace programs
Financial:
- Financial assistance programs
- Insurance navigation support
- Budgeting resources
Legal:
- Legal aid services if needed
- Probation/parole contacts
- Drug court resources if applicable
Transportation:
- Transit resources
- Rideshare assistance programs
- Recovery-friendly transportation options
Community Connection
Help clients connect to recovery community beyond meetings:
- Recovery community centers
- Alumni groups
- Volunteer opportunities
- Recovery-focused social activities
- Faith communities (if desired)
Making the Plan Stick
A resource plan only works if the client actually uses it. Here's how to increase the odds of follow-through.
Create It Together
Resource planning should be collaborative, not prescriptive. Ask clients what they need, what they're willing to do, and what barriers they anticipate. A plan they helped create is a plan they're more likely to follow.
Make It Concrete
Vague plans fail. "Attend meetings" isn't a plan. "Attend the Monday 7pm discussion group at First Presbyterian, the Wednesday noon Big Book study at the Alano Club, and the Saturday 10am newcomer meeting at St. Mark's" is a plan.
For every resource, document:
- Exactly what it is
- Exactly how to access it
- Exactly when they'll use it
Put It in Their Hands (and Phone)
The best resource plan in the world is useless if the client can't find it when they need it. Ensure they have:
- A written copy they can reference
- All contacts saved in their phone
- Key resources bookmarked on their phone
- Calendar entries for meetings and appointments
Build in Follow-Up
Schedule specific check-ins to review how the plan is working:
- Are they attending the meetings?
- Have they connected with their support contacts?
- Do they know how to access crisis resources?
- What's working? What's not?
- What adjustments are needed?
The plan should be a living document that evolves as the client's recovery evolves.
Common Resource Planning Challenges
Limited Local Resources
In some areas—particularly rural communities—recovery resources are scarce. Strategies include:
- Leveraging online meetings to supplement limited in-person options
- Exploring recovery support options in nearby towns
- Connecting with telephone-based support
- Building informal recovery community through multiple pathways
Client Resistance
Some clients resist comprehensive planning, preferring to "figure it out" on their own. Address this by:
- Exploring the source of the resistance
- Emphasizing that having a plan doesn't mean they're weak—it means they're smart
- Starting with the minimum (3-3-3) and expanding from there
- Framing resources as options, not requirements
Resource Verification
Recovery resources change frequently. Meetings close, providers move, phone numbers change. Before finalizing any resource plan:
- Verify meeting times are current
- Confirm providers are accepting new clients
- Test crisis line numbers
- Check that locations and addresses are accurate
Transportation Barriers
Transportation is a major barrier to resource access for many clients. Address this by:
- Mapping meeting locations to public transit routes
- Identifying meetings within walking distance
- Exploring rideshare assistance programs
- Including robust online meeting options
Your Role in the Ecosystem
Recovery coaches occupy a unique position in the recovery ecosystem. You're not providing clinical treatment. You're not running a meeting. You're helping clients build the practical, day-to-day infrastructure that makes recovery work.
Resource planning is central to this role. The connections you help clients make—to meetings, to support people, to services—often determine whether they'll succeed or struggle in the vulnerable months of early recovery.
Do this work well, and you're not just helping one client—you're strengthening the entire recovery community by helping people connect to it.