If you’re in recovery from addiction, you may be wondering when it is time to go back to work. Finding work can be stressful for anybody – but if you’re in recovery from addiction, the job search may feel a bit more overwhelming. There’s more to it than just finding work and getting hired. As you navigate through your recovery journey, finding employment represents so much more. It is the sign that you are ready to start new, rebuild your life, and put the past behind you. As you begin the job search there are some key points to remember to keep you feeling positive and motivated.
Knowing Your Strengths
As you begin the job search, you may be wondering “What job is best for me?” As a start, consider your strengths. What aspects of your personality and skill sets are desirable to an employer? A key strategy is to consider all of your strengths that allowed you to recover. Those same traits may help in your new role of employment.
There May Be Gaps in Employment
It’s common for those who have been battling substance use and addiction to have gaps in employment. You may be feeling a bit concerned about this and how it will look to your potential employer. Being honest is key – expressing that you needed to take some time off to focus on your health and wellbeing is not a negative. The fact that you’re now in a healthier place and looking for employment will demonstrate to an employer that you were able to overcome hardships and move forward.
Stability is Key
As you begin looking for new employment, it may be exciting to picture what your dream job would be. Being that you may not have worked for several months or even years, it’s beneficial to realize that your first job post-recovery may not be your dream job. Rather than focusing on the dream job, a job that provides a routine, schedule, and social interactions may be a great fit. As you are still navigating through the recovery journey, your first job post-recovery should be a position that helps you re-enter the workforce, without being too stressful or overwhelming.
Consider Your New Options
There are several potential options for employment geared specifically towards those who are in recovery. A great option, which we have here at Victory Recovery Partners, is becoming a CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate). CRPAs use their personal experiences from substance use and addiction to educate and help patients recover. Becoming a CRPA is an extremely rewarding career, as nothing is better than helping others! While you may not feel ready to become a CRPA as your first job post-recovery, it is a position to consider down the road in the future.
Victory Recovery Partners, a network of eight addiction-recovery centers on Long Island, New York, provides outpatient addiction-recovery services. Under one roof, we provide medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric, wellness, and behavioral health services. By following our motto, No One Left Behind, we continuously ensure that each and every patient is properly cared for. If you or someone you know would like more information on Victory, please visit our website.