How to Find Employment After Treatment

A common misconception regarding recovery is that there exists a definitive end to the recovery journey. The truth is, post-treatment recovery takes a lot of work, effort, and can last the rest of someone’s life. A lot of time and energy in post-treatment is spent trying to get back on your feet. Whether finding a residence, a positive and effective support system, or resources to aid in your recovery, it can prove to be a challenging transition back to your life after leaving long-term treatment. 

Roadblocks to Employment Post-Treatment

A significant roadblock you might experience is finding employment post-treatment. If your job performance was affected by addiction or substance use disorder, that employer may not want to take you back. If they do, they may be wary of your job performance or you may experience co-workers treating you differently. These behaviors are all due to the stigmas and stereotypes that still linger around the topic of addiction. 

Individuals outside of recovery might not understand your addiction and the changes you have made. Not all employers are going to show sympathy or be empathetic regarding your particular situation. Thankfully there are people and resources focused and designed to help individuals find post-treatment employment. 

There are also caveats to consider when job hunting and any other transition right out of treatment. It can be an incredibly sensitive time, and those still trying to find their footing in recovery would be wise not to take too much on all at once. 

Setting Post-Treatment Goals 

Before considering any of the life changes that you may want to make once finishing your treatment program, it’s important to first set goals that you would like to accomplish. For some that may not necessarily be getting back into the workforce right away. Goals for some people may include prioritizing the mending of relationships, finding a new place to live, and cutting off any past social circles that may have been enabling drug use. Some may want to try furthering their education as well. 

Whatever it may be, setting goals helps you to put a plan in place. Set goals but allow for some safe maneuverability within the program you have created for yourself, as there will be times where you’ll need to figure things out as you go. 

At the Lakehouse Recovery Center, our treatment program offers each client that walks through our doors any psychological and professional counseling they might need. Each client begins with weekly therapy sessions with a professional. Each client also has a case manager that can help work with them on their individual goals. During those sessions, case managers will focus on relapse prevention to educate you on ways to maintain long-term recovery and help you with any goals you have set for yourself. 

If you plan to find employment, your case manager will work with you on strategies to accompany the job hunt, including interview skills, resume writing, and other pertinent areas or relevant goals that you feel are important. 

Resources for Those Seeking Employment Opportunities

Continuing education may not be an option for some right out of recovery. However, there are ways for individuals to learn and develop new skills that will make them more attractive to employers. California’s Employment Development Department provides several training resources for those seeking employment. If you or someone you know has recently left a treatment program and requires training services, feel free to visit the link above. 

The website above can link you to some resources dependent on a variety of things you may need. That might include resources on educational opportunities, no-fee employment training, a California Training Benefits program, and many more. You’ll know when it’s time for you to begin the job hunt when you feel confident enough in your recovery to take on that new challenge. 

Quick TIps

If you or someone you know is already in the beginning stages of post-treatment job hunting, these tips and tricks may help you on that journey:  

• Focus on what you can bring to any job, not skills you may lack.
• Even if you don’t have specific work experience for a job you are applying for, consider putting in any prior work experience and explain further how those opportunities could reflect if offered the position. 
• Try not to feel discouraged. Even if you may not be the best fit for the job, each interview offers an experience for you to grow. Learn what you can and improve for next time. 

Life after treatment is often met with many transitional challenges. Searching for a job is just one of those many challenges. If you or a loved one have recently left a treatment facility and are looking for employment, combatting potential discouragement is vital. The job market can be difficult for anyone to navigate through, and you should only take on that challenge when you feel stable and confident in where you are in your recovery. While there are resources available to those searching for employment, take advantage of your treatment program while you can if finding a job is one of your post-treatment goals. We can’t speak for other treatment centers, but here at Lakehouse, our case managers will work with you on any number of goals you wish to achieve during your time here and even after you’ve moved on from here. To learn more about how we can help you, call (877) 762-3707 today.