Navigating Employment Post Treatment
The transition to everyday life after addiction treatment can be challenging. The key is to be informed and to have a plan. When you go back to work, you may wonder what to tell other employees.
Establish good habits.
When in recovery, developing good habits and breaking free of unhealthy habits is essential to your success. One of the keys to this is to have a great attitude. Your attitude has the power to shift your mindset. As you know, recovery is not an overnight process. In some cases, habits are not always intentional. They can be formed in your subconscious. You need to create intentional habits now to stay sober and to rebuild your life.
It is common to worry about whether or not your employer can fire you for time off for rehab. The good news is that Federal law protects your job. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.1 So, as a recovering addict, the necessary requirements are met.
Prepare what you want to say to others.
When you return back to work, it is a good idea to know what you will say. This will help you prepare for the inevitable questions. Your answer could vary depending on your relationship with each individual. A response you could tailor to fit your needs could be something like this: “I went to get treatment for a medical condition. I’m doing much better now. Thanks for asking.”
If the person who asks you is a close friend, you have the option to disclose your specific problem. Then your friend can possibly become part of your support network. This is not a bad idea because the workplace is often a source of stress. Research shows in this example2 that nearly 9% of the workers surveyed usually drank on the job and almost 1% usually did drugs while at work. You cannot have too much support—and your coworkers will see you more than many other people will during the week—so why not see if you can have support even at work?
Searching for a New Job
If you decided to resign from your old position, the time gap in your employment can be an issue. One possible way around this is to use a functional resume. This form of resume does not list out all of your previous employers. If you decide to use a traditional chronological resume, just leave the gap there. If asked about the time gap, you can always say something like “I had a medical issue and took care of it, and now I’m ready to get back to work.’”
You can boost your appeal as a candidate by sharing any relevant facts about your leave that aren’t too personal. Another way to fill the gap of unemployment is to include your participation in any volunteer work. This information makes it clear to the employer that you were still active and engaged in helping others. Even activities you helped with at church or charity events would likely be fine.
Be intentional in your career.
Surround yourself with positive influences in the workplace. Avoid situations that may compromise your sobriety—such as parties—until you feel comfortable with your maturity level. Practice self-awareness so you handle stress in a healthy way such as exercise or creative arts. Continue to seek out aftercare as the recovery process never ends. You can do this through attending support group meetings and through talking with a therapist. If you have any questions, please call our toll-free helpline at 706-909-9811. We are here to serve you and help you move forward in your recovery.
Sources
- 1 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11439/ The Employment Discrimination Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act: Implementation and Impact, Moss Kathryn
- 2 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21711404 , Intoxicated workers: findings from a national Australian survey
