As mentioned previously, whether you can continue to work while receiving treatment can depend largely on the rehab as well as your specific type of employment. Working while in inpatient rehab can be difficult, as it can depend on the factors mentioned previously, such as your specific job requirements. Inpatient rehab means that you’ll live onsite, so you’ll be at the rehab 24/7 and generally will not be able to leave to attend work. Deciding to go to rehab can be stressful, even when you know that it’s a positive step toward your new and sober life. One of the considerations that can play a role in your decision is whether you will be able to attend to daily responsibilities and continue to work. NEW Supported Employment and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) – Growing scientific evidence supports the use of IPS as an intervention for people with or in recovery from substance use disorder.

Engaging in creative pursuits not only serves as a form of therapy but also opens doors to a world of possibilities where individuals can thrive and grow. Another challenge is developing your professional theoretical orientation, which is actually quite normal. My advice is to identify 2-3 theories that are of interest to you and “try on” each theory.

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For many people that are newly recovered, finding the “right” job is a difficult process. Given the fact that the current job market is competitive and re-entering your profession before drug treatment may not be an option due to your past addictive behavior, finding a simple and basic job is a great way get back in the workforce. Many addicts think that employers won’t even have jobs for recovering addicts.

• As clients begin the process of recovery, sooner or later their attention will shift to the necessities of daily life.
• You want to be able to be flexible and adept at meeting people where they are at with cultural humility, professional curiosity, and genuine caring and compassion.
• Simply leave your dates of employment off of your resume, listing only the places where you’ve worked, your job titles and your qualifications and experience.
• Both are effective tools for building and maintaining a strong and effective, recovery-ready workplace.
• If possible, you should also avoid looking for employment where it is located near those places that you used to use drugs and alcohol.
• As such, they can help clients achieve their health and fitness goals from the comfort of their homes.

Many rehab centers offer career development services, from vocational training to job placement assistance. Many non-profit organizations require social workers and counselors to provide support to vulnerable populations, including those struggling with addiction. These roles offer the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives by helping them navigate the challenges of recovery. These roles offer the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives by helping them navigate the challenges of recovery. One of the most fulfilling job options for individuals in recovery is working in rehabilitation centers.

Find a Rehab Center

These skills can be further refined as you leave formal drug treatment and enroll in some form of aftercare or sober living program. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based approach to supported employment that helps people living with behavioral health conditions find and maintain jobs of their choosing on the competitive employment market. A form of Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE), IPS pairs prospective job applicants with a specially trained job specialist who helps the individual identify, secure, and maintain employment.

Become a Substance Abuse Counselor

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $48,520 in May 2021. However, salaries can range from as low as $30,870 to more than $77,980. Whether it is bussing tables at a local restaurant, stocking shelves at Walmart, working in a factory or working in a fast food restaurant, working a job that is simple puts the focus on how you are living your life.

Trade/Vocational Careers

Give yourself the option to change things up if necessary while maintaining a steady income during the transition. After obtaining your qualifying degree, you must then take steps to become a substance abuse counselor, outlined below. There are a range of counseling careers that differ in terms of the level of support and expertise provided, and the qualifications and licensure required for the position. The most difficult challenge I experienced as well as many others is related to securing a qualified clinical supervisor, particularly at a price point that is affordable for a recent graduate who is unlicensed and earning a finite annual salary. I believe that it is a professional responsibility for clinical supervisors to offer affordable supervision services to recent graduates and new counselors.

Should You Return to Your Former Career?

Even if you were employed before entering rehab, the time spent in a rehab center may create gaps on a chronological or time-based resume. These resumes list jobs in time order, from your last position held to the earliest position. They may have worked odd jobs, dead-end jobs or perhaps never held down a job at all. For them, looking for a career during recovery is the next step in a long process of finding new meaning and purpose in life. Another reason you shouldn’t change jobs quickly is that, when everything else is changing, it’s good to have something steady, reliable and familiar to fall back on. Your job may not have been the most exciting in the world, but if you know how to do it well, that’s one thing in your life that’s constant and stable.

However, these laws do not protect those who are currently abusing drugs and alcohol. There is help available to you if you or a loved one has a physical dependence or psychological dependence on a behavior or substance. These urges and compulsive behaviors can control your life, but you can take back control.

Finding Great Jobs After Rehab

• Freelancing allows individuals to build their personal brand while maintaining the work-life balance necessary for sustained recovery.
• These roles often involve organizing events, providing resources, and creating spaces for peer support.
• Social workers and counselors in non-profit organizations often have the chance to work closely with individuals and families, offering guidance, support, and resources to help them overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
• The employment specialist can be headquartered in a substance use disorder treatment program or in another setting.

Before diving into specific job opportunities, it is crucial to understand the job market for recovering addicts. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of providing employment opportunities for individuals in recovery. Many companies now have policies in place to support individuals with disabilities, including those overcoming addiction. However, it is essential to find an inclusive work environment that prioritizes support and understands the challenges faced by https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview recovering addicts.

The Best Careers for Addicts Are Careers That Fulfill You and Give Back

While the settings vary, you will commonly find a counselor who specializes in supporting individuals with substance abuse, substance use disorders, alcohol recovery, and behavioral health. The employment specialist can be headquartered in a substance use disorder treatment program or in another setting. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, many states, and non-profit organizations offer IPS. It’s crucial to consider the specific needs and challenges of individuals in recovery when exploring career options. It’s crucial to consider the specific needs and challenges of individuals in recovery when exploring career options. Many individuals in recovery find inspiration from their own counselors and choose to enter the field of substance use counseling.

You may love the arts and long for a career where you can use your skills in music, dancing or painting to brighten the lives of others and express your emotions. Your friend in recovery may find that the analytical work of computer programming or accounting suits her need for order and routine. Both of you have ideal careers, but they’re different.As a recovering addict, you’ve got a lot to offer the world. But the truth is, many companies actually prefer to hire people in recovery. They know that anyone who has successfully embraced recovery is someone who wants to embrace a healthy lifestyle.