Which statement best captures the Self-Directed guiding principle?

• A. What the person in recovery wants, desires, and can accomplish, not what the provider imparts to the person.
• B. Focusing on deficits and weaknesses.
• C. Giving the provider authority to decide.
• D. Providing the tools needed to empower the person.

Answer: (A)

Self-Directed means the person in recovery leads their own path. The statement that best captures this emphasizes what the client wants, desires, and can accomplish, rather than what the provider imposes. In practice, the recovery coach helps by offering options, resources, and guidance, but does not decide for the client or override their choices. This approach centers the client’s goals, pace, and preferences, and treats them as the primary agent of their change.

It contrasts with focusing on deficits, which shifts attention to what’s lacking rather than what the client wants to achieve; with granting the provider authority to decide, which undermines autonomy; and with simply providing tools without honoring the client’s leadership in how and when to use them.