Returning to the Workforce After Battling Addiction

Returning to the Workforce After Battling AddictionReturning to the Workforce After Battling Addiction1Returning to the workforce after battling addiction can be intimidating. The optimism that comes with new opportunity is often accompanied by an urge to rejoin the workforce at maximum capacity, stepping right back in stride with your best professional self. And although that is admirable, there is also value in honoring where you are right now- in a transitional place with great potential for growth. Set yourself up for success by preparing for a return to the workforce that supports continued progress by coming up with a plan that covers the how, when, and why of returning to work during recovery.Returning to the Workforce After Battling AddictionThe Decision to ReturnA primary concern of returning to the workforce is the potential to feel triggered by the associated stress or even just the danger of feeling entitled to relax at the end of a long workday. There can also be a sense of needing to overcompensate job wertzuwachs to make up for lost time or to prove to yourself or others that you can still get the job done. Although it may be true that you can, this can also lead to burning out quickly and a desire to self-medicate or fall back into addictive behaviors.The H.O.W. of sobriety is a good way to establish a solid foundation for returning to the workforceBe HonestKeep an Open MindBe WillingHonest Be realistic about your sensitivity to stress and both the importance of putting recovery first and the time you invest into doing so when returning to the workforce. Dont assume you can handle pressure the same as you have in the past. Ask other sober individuals in your support community about their return to the workplace experiences and honestly evaluate your own strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.Open Mind Youll have to change many things in your life to accommodate sobriety, and your professional expectations may temporarily land on that list. Con sider part-time jobs, freelance positions, or work-at-home opportunities as you ease back into the working world after battling addiction. Stairstep your way to success in a way that supports your growth and allows you to build some professional confidence again. Allow yourself a gradual return to your full potential. Start with part-time projects or remote work or at a skill level slightly below your average to give yourself room to grow.Willing A lower pay rate may be a fair trade for lower stress levels over a short, transitional time period. Dont feel defeated or embarrassed by what may seem like a professional setback. Remember that this is part of your recovery plan, that each and every step counts as a success as long as you are sober, and that youre really just leaving that much mora room for potential. Be willing to do what it takes to support your recovery at all costs. As they say in recovery fellowships, If you dont put your sobriety ahead of your job, you will lose both .The Search for WorkTo stay sober after battling addiction, you just have to changeeverything. Simple, right? Although it doesnt feel like it, giving yourself the gift of a blank slate for the next chapter of your life is imperative to your success. parte of that is avoiding the people, places, and things that were connected to an addictive lifestyle. Look for jobs that support that, too.Stay away from working with people who arent supportive of your sobriety, and choose appropriate work. For instance, bartending or hospitality work is likely not appropriate for those in recovery.In terms of how to address gaps on your resume or time spent away, the less said, the better. If youre returning to a previously held position, you are under no obligation to disclose anything. If coworkers ask about your absence, you can say that you were on medical leave but youre doing better now.If youre applying for a new position, dont bring it up at all. If youre asked about it, explain that you took some personal time to deal with a family matter. Treat your leave in a discreet, matter-of-fact way like the health issue that it is, and move the conversation along to your current availability.Supporting YourselfDont forget that recovery is a job, too. Continue to work on a lifestyle that supports your sobriety outside of work. Research by the N.I.A. found two key factors associated with staying sober for 12 months or moreDeveloping a robust sober support network that includes active weekly engagement in a recovery fellowshipMaintaining close, open, and honest relationships with people to whom you feel accountable. Part of your work now involves making time for support groups or treatment options and making an effort to connect with the kind of friends you would like to have moving forward. Take up a hobby or interest that will help fill your downtime with good people and healthy fun.Focus primarily on achieving small, incremental daily goals in early recovery. Thinking about nev er drinking/using for the rest of my life is overwhelming, so focus on staying sober for one day at a time- its much more emotionally manageable. Its also important to remember that addiction is a chronic medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or hyper-tension. Similarly, while there are no cures for these conditions, their symptoms can be successfully managed with proper treatment and ongoing aftercare and monitoring. The work of recovery does not end, but neither do the rewardsFrame your return to work as part of your self-imposed treatment plan with a strategic approach that supports your personal and professional growth. Find appropriate, low-stress positions, stay open-minded about new possibilities, and be willing to make changes that will help you reach your ultimate goal of a healthy and successful life free of substance abuse. Do a good job to lead a good life, both on and off the clock.Dr. Rod Amiri specializes in addiction psychiatry. He has received the Patients Choice award every year since 2008, representing less than 5% of active physicians in the U.S. He serves patients atMalibu Hills Treatment Center, a luxury rehab facility located in Malibu, California.